Hidetsugu Ueno among cocktail legends launching Gaz Regan fundraiser

Hidetsugu Ueno, one of Japan’s most famous bartenders, has teamed up with a group of other legends in cocktail-making on a charity project celebrating the life and career of Gaz Regan.

‘The Maestro’ Salvatore Calabrese, ‘The King of Cocktails’ Dale DeGroff, the ‘Godfather of British bartending’ Peter Dorelli, Japan’s most famous bartender Hidetsugu Ueno, spirits innovator Jean-Sébastien Robiquet and spirits stalwart Philip Duff have gathered to launch #JustOneShift.

The idea of this fundraising project was initiated by Jean-Sébastien Robicquet, founder and CEO of Maison Villevert, who wanted to pay tribute to Regan as an iconic figure in cocktail culture who initiated the first #JustOneShift fundraiser to support Wine To Water 10 years ago.

The fundraiser has been created to honour the late Regan, who died in 2019, and will continue raising money for the Wine To Water charity.

The charity project, launched across 20 countries, will donate 100% of the proceeds to Wine To Water, founded in 2007 by Doc Hendley who is an ex-bartender and friend of Regan.

Robicquet said of the fundraising campaign: “Maison Villevert has initiated this fundraising to uphold two strong beliefs: Firstly, water is an integral part of the life of every single person on the planet and we should be entitled access to clean water. Secondly the legacy of pioneer Gary Regan should be upheld and continued. The two beliefs combined will bring a powerful message to an industry focused on the importance and perpetuation of water, in its many forms.”

Regan was known for stirring Negronis with nothing more than his index finger, a signature move which was eventually  immortalised as a stainless-steel bar spoon in the life-size shape of his finger. The move is now being replicated as part of the fundraising campaign, to pay tribute to the late bartender.

Donations are being collected in three ways:

1. #JustOneShift – Anyone associated with the bar industry is encouraged to donate their tips from a single shift.
2. I Can I Do, direct donations – Consumers are encouraged to donate any sum at www.winetowater.org/gazregan
3. Auction- The auction of the original finger stirred negroni photo alongside the 10 year anniversary photo plus a 1495 coffret is open for bids at www.interencheres.com

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