Le Salon at DFH – “Perfumery and Bartending? A Match Made in Heaven!” with Kevin Peterson

Le Salon is Detroit’s new gathering for curious minds and spirited conversation. Each month, we invite local professors, artists, and community leaders to share fresh perspectives in a relaxed, after-hours setting in our new Borgman Room just off of the Apparatus Room.

Arrive early, grab a cocktail (or your drink of choice), and settle in for a 35–40 minute talk that’s as thought-provoking as it is approachable. Whether you’re a regular or just dropping by, Le Salon is your place to connect, unwind, and discover something new— just great ideas and good company.

Come for the lecture, stay for the conversation. For this lecture, we are charging a $15 fee to cover a cocktail specially designed by Kevin as part of his lecture experience.

About the Lecturer:

Dr. Kevin Peterson is a former combustion engineer who is now the Nose of Sfumato Fragrances and Cocktail Scientist of Castalia (cocktail bar in Midtown Detroit). He is fascinated by all things scent and taste, and is in search of a theory of beauty for cocktails and perfumes. He is the author of Cocktail Theory – A Sensory Approach to Transcendent Drinks, and his projects have been featured in The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and Vinepair.

About the lecture: Perfumery and Bartending? A Match Made in Heaven!

Both cocktails and perfumery rely heavily on the sense of smell to create enjoyable sensory impressions, yet the two professions rarely collaborate. Kevin will talk about what perfumers can teach bartenders, and what bartenders can teach perfumers, complete with smellable examples along the way. Speaking from his experience running a scented cocktail bar, Kevin will delve into both the theory behind making beautiful aromas and many anecdotes of how scent impacts experience in profound and mysterious ways.

Agenda:

– 6:30 PM – Doors open: find a seat (open seating), order food & drinks, and expect a bar line—arriving early is key. – 6:55 PM – Host introduction- 7:00 PM – Lecture begins- 7:45 PM – Audience Q&A

– 8:00 PM – 1:1 time with the speaker, mingle with fellow guests, and order another round

-8:30PM–Wrap up