In this episode, Chris Maffeo talks to Federico Riezzo, hospitality veteran and founder of Villa Mamo (a Villa in Tuscany), about London's cocktail renaissance and why human connection beats technical skills in bartending.
Federico shares his experience at legendary London cocktail bars like The Pharmacy, Lab, Sketch, and Sanderson Hotel during the cocktail revival of the late 1990s and early 2000s.
Learn how exceptional bartenders combined technical excellence with infectious energy to create welcoming environments that prioritize guest experience over complex mixology.
Chris and Federico explore how service philosophy transforms bartenders into "gatekeepers of sales" through trust-building techniques like spirit sampling and storytelling.
Discover practical hospitality strategies that create memorable bar experiences, generate customer loyalty, and drive organic word-of-mouth marketing in the cocktail industry.
Perfect for bartenders, bar managers, hospitality professionals, cocktail enthusiasts, and anyone interested in London's cocktail history and modern bar service excellence.
Timestamps
00:00 Introduction and Villa Mamo Overview
08:15 London Cocktail Renaissance Era
16:30 Service Philosophy vs Technical Skills
24:45 Trust-Building Through Sampling
32:20 Munich Bar Experience Example
37:46 Gatekeepers of Sales Concept