iList Paducah - Your Invitation to Everything

We know you single folks are busy. We go on that first date so you don't have to!

March 12, 2008

Matt Duncan

Matt Duncan, 24, is a hottie, no doubt about it. This Paducah native has managed the Doe’s Eat Place bar since the restaurant opened in 2006. He’ll graduate with a business degree this May from Murray State University. And Woodford Reserve recently toasted him for his innovative take on the Manhattan — now called the Matt-hattan!

Matt Duncan, you are cute, cute, cute, no doubt about it! Do women constantly flirt with you when you’re bartending at Doe’s?
No, no, not always. There’s some I’ve flirted with before.

Does it distract you from mixing up the perfect Matt-hattan?
No, it’s one of those things that comes with the job. You get used to it.

That must be a fun thing to get used to!
Hah! Well, sometimes it’s hard to tell if it’s actual flirting because they like you or because they’re just wanting their drinks faster.

Speaking of drinks, congratulations on the Woodford Reserve Manhattan contest! You were one of 12 bartenders selected across the state, for your Matt-hattan!
Yes, the reps came around a few months ago and invited several bartenders to come up with our own Manhattan recipes. Then they came back and tried them. They chose mine and also one made by Brian Steffan from Di Fratelli’s.

And you guys went up to the Versailles distillery to compete with the other bartenders?
I went up, but Brian had to work, so Di Fratelli’s sent Jimmy, instead. We had a great time, toured the distillery and sampled a lot of bourbon. But we didn’t win.

Rats. Well, at least there was bourbon!
Exactly.

So when you go to parties, are your friends always asking you to make drinks?
Yes.

Does it drive you crazy?
Not really. Sometimes, though, when people only have three things and not much of anything to mix those with, it’s hard to come up with something.

So what do you think are the four major food groups that all good liquor cabinets must have?
Definitely vodka.

What kind?
Grey Goose. And bourbon. I would say both Maker’s Mark and Woodford. Those are my two favorites.

Why both?
It depends on the day. You never know what mood you’re going to be in. Sometimes you just want to sip on something slowly and relax, and Woodford tastes better by itself. And sometimes you’ve had a tough day and you want a few drinks. Maker’s with Ginger Ale is good for that.

Ah, got it. What else should every well-stocked bar have?
Tanqueray Gin and Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum. The rum has a spicy vanilla flavor, which is good in a strawberry daiquiri. And also 3 Olives Cherry Vodka. I like that in Sprite or in Red Bull. That’s a nice cherry-flavored pick-me-up.

Or a knock-me-down!
Not when it’s in Red Bull!

What’s the most popular drink at Doe’s?
It’s beer. Imported would be Corona. Domestic is Bud Light. We probably sell more beer than anything. And Jack and Coke.

How about when the weather is cold?
Baileys and coffee. We sell a lot of Baileys. And White Russians. But beer is almost always the top dog.

What drinks to you hate to make?
At the moment, we don’t have a blender. In the event that we did, I hate to make anything frozen. It’s time consuming, it adds a couple of steps and it’s really annoying. I don’t like anything that slows myself or the servers down.

Yeah, no doubt! Folks need their drinks quickly, especially when they’re attacking 30-ounce steaks!
That’s right.

So what is it about Doe’s steaks?
I don’t know. I thought I grilled a good steak, but I found out that’s just not true. Doe’s has the best steaks in town.

What’s the secret?
I’m not saying.

Well, if you’re not saying, then we have to go back to your love life! So what’s up, buttercup?
Oh, ah. Ah. I’ve just, ah, I don’t really…. It’s kind of…. That’s a really hard question to answer. I have not been exactly searching for anyone in particular for long-term reasons as of yet.

Say again?
Here’s the thing. I graduate in May, so I don’t know exactly what I want to do and where I want to do it yet. I would hate to get too involved with anyone in particular here because I never know where next year will lead.

But you’re open to meeting women?
Yes, and if I found that person who’s relationship material, yes, I’m open to it.

So what are you looking for?
Well, the first thing is that my space is very important to me. If it were a relationship where they would want to spend all day, every day, together — that would not work. I’m very fond of my personal time.

Personal time is a good thing.
There are definitely nights when I want to go home, sit back with a Woodford on the rocks and watch TV and not be around anyone. That’s been the main problem in the past.

Well, Matt, you’re so cute, you can’t blame the gals for wanting to spend every minute with you!
Hah! Well, I’m just saying, I’d like an independent gal. And looks are important — I would not lie about that. Personality is more important than looks because my family is very picky. Anybody I try to date I have to run by them.

You have to get buy-in from your parents?
My family wants to know everything about the people I date! I used to hide girlfriends because they were so annoying.

Matt, you’re a business major! Maybe you need to re-manage their expectations?
I’m trying!

You grew up in Paducah?
Ye, I graduated from Tilghman in 2001.

And you’ll graduate with a business degree from Murray this May?
That’s the plan. I have to write a 50-paper first on Social Security.

Wow, what a snooze! 50 pages? Yick.
It’s pretty bad. I’m outsourcing a lot of the information.

That’s very business-minded of you. Are you outsourcing the writing, too?
I haven’t gotten to that part yet. That’s the next step. If I have time, I’ll write it myself. If not, I’ll outsource the writing.

I hope your professor isn’t reading this!
Me too!

If you do the writing yourself, in-house, so to speak, do you think you’ll be drinking Woodford Reserve or Maker’s Mark for inspiration?
Maker’s Mark. Absolutely. Lots of it.

Well, Matt Duncan, I’m thinking you need an independent, cute, personable study buddy to help you get through that 50-page Social Security paper! Shake on, Matt Duncan!