Name: Vladymyr Buryanov
Nickname: “Ukrazian”
Nationality: Ukraninan
Age: 27
Years Bartending: 8 (6 Flairing)
Flair Accomplishments: First place Nations 2007, 5 time Ukrainian Champion, 1st ever Big Kahuna Flair Smackdown Grand Champion 2008.
I got to meet Vladymyr for the first time at Superflair in Windsor Ontario in May of ’09, Â where he put on a fantastic show and finished 4th in an all-star line up which included Rodrigo Delpech, Danilo Oribe, and Dario Doimo to name a few.
Earlier this year I had a chance to meet up with him again on his home turf at Kahunaville in Las Vegas. Here is my interview with Vladymyr Buryanov.
Q- When did you get into Flair bartending?
A- I started flairing about 6 years ago.
Q- What prompted you to start flipping bottles, and did you have a mentor?
A- I started bartending in a local hotel in the Ukraine where I grew up. Â There was a guy there that knew a couple of flair moves, so he showed me a few and I became good at them quickly and wanted to learn more. Â There was no one else in my town to learn from, so I started watching DVD’s of Flair competitions to learn some basic moves. Then I took it from there and taught myself.
Q- Where are you currently working?
A- I am employed at Kahunaville in Las Vegas.
Q- To date, what is your best flair moment?
A- Winning Nations in 2007 was great!  The money was good, but the competition was even greater!  It felt amazing when all that hard work I put into flair allowed me to beat some of the guys I have always  looked up to in flair.
Q- To date, what is your worst flair moment?
A- Nations 2008. Â It was the first time in my career that I did not make the finals.
Q- What are your goals for the future?
A- I still hope to compete for at least another 5 years. Â I enjoy it, and practicing is still fun for me. Â As for life beyond flair, my wife and I have our ideas, but we still haven’t made our final decision yet.
Q- Other than yourself, who is your favourite flair bartender?
A- My wife. Â Terri Leeseberg-Buryanova. Â I believe her being a flair bartender also is the only reason I have found someone I can have a family with, and who is also understanding about how much time I need to practice.
Q- Do you have a signature cocktail?
A- I enjoy making different drinks. Â Mostly based on fresh berries and fruits.
Q- Least favourite cocktail?
A- All Martinis.
Q- What is your favourite Flair bar?
A- Kahunaville at T.I.(Treasure Island). I don’t get a chance to work there too often, but there are flair shows there four nights a week. Â The shows allow me to get on stage and practice routines all the time.
Thanks Vladymyr for taking the time to do this interview. Â We hope to see you back up in Canada for next years Superflair.
Flair Bartender Profile-Up close and personal with Dario Doimo
Name: Dario Doimo
Nationality: Italian
Age: 26
Years Bartending: 9 (8Flair)
After seeing Dario Doimo win Legends of Bartending 10, I really became a huge fan.
I got the chance to meet Dario Doimo for the first time at SuperFlair in Windsor Ontario in May of 2009. Â That was an amazing competition which saw Dario place third in an all-star line up including Rodrigo Delpech, Danilo Oribe, and Vladymyr Buryanov to name a few.
I caught up with Dario again in September at Kahunaville in Las Vegas and saw him perform a flawless routine at his home bar as a part of the nightly shows they do.
Here is my interview with Dario Doimo.
Q- How did you get into Flair Bartending?
A-My brother got me into the world of Flair Bartending. Â He took a Flair Bartending Class, and when I saw what you could do with a bottle and tin I was shocked!
Q- Where can people see you live in action?
A- I am working at Kahunaville at Treasure Island.
Q- Other than yourself, who is your favourite Flair Bartender?
A- Â Well, I don’t really have just one, but I respect people like Rodrigo Delpech and Danilo Oribe for their passion,and determination to win.
Q- What is your favourite Flair bar?
A- I enjoy every flair bar because it’s always a good time. Â Kahunaville is the place to be. Â They have Flair shows there 4 nights a week.
Q- To date, what is your greatest flair achievement?
A- For sure it was winning Legends of Bartending 10. Â Since I started flairing, I’ve always dreamt to win that one, and after a couple of years of hard work, I won! Â It’s a dream come true!
Thank you to Dario for taking the time to do this interview. Â We hope to see some great things in the near future.