Steven Nicolle

You Only Live Once: Waiterextraordinaire - the Early Years (1979-1996) Steven Nicolle

IT IS 1979 - the dawning of a new, exciting decade. On the cusp of the eighties, the path of unlimited possibilities is laid at the feet of a young man by the name of Steven. Fresh into adulthood and poised to embark on a wild, new direction, he takes a bartending course in the throbbing metropolis of Montréal. In a politically-charged region of Canada that is constantly on the verge of separating from the rest of the country, he sets a solid foundation for what will become a rich career in Hospitality. Upon entering this demanding but rewarding vocation, he thrives and excels-and, unbeknownst to him, will be catapulted to as-of-yet unimagined vistas. With the soul of a nomad and a heart of an adventurer, he mixes drinks, observes human behaviour, and masters the subtle arts of taste and presentation. Refining his skills, he travels throughout his country, weathering terrain and demanding positions anywhere between Quebec and British Columbia. Expanding his horizons, he explores the United States, Europe, Asia, the Caribbean, and the Mediterranean. Whether on land or sea, he serves celebrities, wealthy travellers, and fellow nomads from all walks of life. Tasting both the bitter and the sweet along the way, he rides the ebb and flow of the vibrant eighties and the turbulent nineties. Observing the changing world around him while contemplating the shifting landscape within, he evolves as a highly-qualified Sommelier and Maitre'd, making a home wherever he lays his cocktail shaker and strainer. Whether mixing a Pina Colada in Dorval, serving beer to Prince Philip in Switzerland, or enlisting in the Navy in Halifax, the question remains: Where will the insistent call to his heart's true home finally lead?