Cook & James returns to in-person events with “speed dating,” cocktail class
by John Yellig
Kara Cook (standing) talks with Amanda Bridges from Berkshire Hathaway, Kylie Delre from Harry Norman Buckhead and Vanessa Westfall from Keller Williams. Sarah Stitgen with Cook & James photobombs at the back.
On June 23, approximately 25 Atlanta Realtors Association members gathered for a cocktail class by Atlanta mixologist Navarro Carr, who is currently at the new Chattahoochee Food Works in West Midtown. He walked guests through making two gin-based drinks: An Aviation with gin, lemon juice, crème de violet, maraschino and garnished with a cherry; and a gin gimlet featuring gin, sorrel/hibiscus simple syrup, lime juice, a touch of white vermouth and garnished with a dehydrated lime.
Navarro Carr instructs ARA members at a cocktail class on June 23 hosted by closing attorneys Cook & James.
Allen Richardson and Yolanda Richardson with MAP Realty in Lilburn, Alies Pittman, a guest, and April Daniel of Drake Realty in Atlanta.
The gin gimlet with hibiscus and lime in the foreground; mixologist Navarro Carr instructing in the background.
Kara Cook (standing) talks with Amanda Bridges from Berkshire Hathaway, Kylie Delre from Harry Norman Buckhead and Vanessa Westfall from Keller Williams. Sarah Stitgen with Cook & James photobombs at the back.
On June 23, approximately 25 Atlanta Realtors Association members gathered for a cocktail class by Atlanta mixologist Navarro Carr, who is currently at the new Chattahoochee Food Works in West Midtown. He walked guests through making two gin-based drinks: An Aviation with gin, lemon juice, crème de violet, maraschino and garnished with a cherry; and a gin gimlet featuring gin, sorrel/hibiscus simple syrup, lime juice, a touch of white vermouth and garnished with a dehydrated lime.
Navarro Carr instructs ARA members at a cocktail class on June 23 hosted by closing attorneys Cook & James.
Allen Richardson and Yolanda Richardson with MAP Realty in Lilburn, Alies Pittman, a guest, and April Daniel of Drake Realty in Atlanta.
The firm and the ARA are planning a July happy hour and a wellness/spa night in August. The firm will also host an event at Big Door Vineyards and a Taco Tuesday Trivia night in August for the Cherokee Association of Realtors.
Members of the Northeast Atlanta Metro Association of Realtors will have a networking opportunity with Cook & James and each other in July with a trivia night and a brewery happy hour in August.
As social activities return to pre-pandemic levels over the summer and beyond, the firm will team up with the Georgia Association of Realtors, the 400 North Association of Realtors, the Cobb Association of Realtors and others for other events, such as expos, conferences, luncheons, karaoke and auction nights, golf outings and more, the firm said in a press release.
“We pride ourselves in staying on top of industry trends, as well as not being your typical closing attorneys — we offer an uncommon brand of lightheartedness to the closing table because what’s the point of doing business if it can’t be fun?” asked co-founding attorney Kara Cook. “We also don’t take ourselves too seriously, and I think that’s why our events have become such a drawing card — we truly enjoy meeting friends and colleagues in those more casual settings.”
During the pandemic, Cook & James switched to virtual continuing-education classes and a host of online after-hours events like Taco Tuesday, wine tastings and cocktail classes. Registrants were delivered Cook & James shwag boxes before the events with the requisite ingredients for each “class.”