Stories

Andrea Liberati

10 September 2019

My Story

Head Bartender

Nationality: Italian
Occupation: Head Bartender
Workplace: The Goring Hotel, London UK
Favorite Cocktail: Tom Collins
Favorite Spirit: Tequila

What inspired you to become a bartender:

I think, it was like a vocation, previously I worked in constructions until I decided to try a more exciting job jumping behind an hometown’s bar and I took it very well! In that day I fell in love with people, people gives me energy and great emotions! That makes me love bartending so much that Im living for it.

Tell me about your bartending journey and how you got to where you are now:

As I mentioned above, everything is started in an hometown’s bar where I shaked my first “drinks”, then grew up in Milan to attract in Spain Exactly in Alicante and Ibiza. But for many years now I’ve been working in London, where I could express myself mainly behind the counters of the lustful members club “The Arts Club” and then the historic and iconic 5 stars Forbes and Pride of Britain “The Goring Hotel”. In London hard work always pay off. There are not better ways to reach your goals.

What stamp would you like to leave on the industry:

I not looking to give a stamp to the industry, so far is the industry that is giving a better stamp to my life. I just want to do what I love and do it in the best way, not just for myself but still doing it for my guests and their experiences. We sell emotions and no our Ego.

Can you explain your personal process for creating a cocktail:

The creation of a cocktail is a sacred moment, the inspiration comes alone,by looking at an object, watching a movie or dining with friends are just perspectives and ideas, a cocktail is born only if done with love and it takes patience, sometimes the creation of a drink takes weeks, And when it happens, is a magical moment, for example I use to run trough the Hotel asking customers and chef’s feedback! I love to see their reactions.

What is the most important part of what you do and what does it mean to you:

What I really love is the interaction with the guest, is amazing how in bars people is settled for conversations creating relationships! Is Also easier after a couple of negroni imagine that some of my best customers became great friends of mine! The bar connects people and we are the vehicle for make it happen!

What do you think will be the future of the F&B industry:

I think it’s unpredictable, the market is constantly evolving, but is sure that hospitality industry is getting bigger and bigger with a very profitable future!

Anything that would you like to add?

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Most bizarre client request:

Probably an espresso Martini without espresso!