In the bustling world of the bar industry where cocktails and bars are meticulously crafted to create unforgettable experiences, there exists a hidden ingredient that is often overlooked but undeniably vital — mentorship. 

Mentorship serves as the compass that guides both newcomers and seasoned hospitality professionals towards success and we’re fortunate to have six leaders in the bar industry join the PATRÓN Perfectionists community to share their mentorship.

Hear from Matt Whiley, Gina Barbachano, Deano Moncrieffe, Kate Boushel, Christina Viera, and Julio Cabrera on why they think mentorship is so important, how their mentors have helped them, and advice for finding a mentor of your own. 

Why is mentorship important within the hospitality industry?

We are in an era after Covid where we lost so many great people due to changing careers, but now we have the new wave of younger hospitality professionals and mentorship has never been more important. We as experienced professionals all have a role to play in shaping the next generation, and this is one of the most exciting and rewarding parts of our industry.

How have your mentors shaped your career? 

I never had a mentor as I went into management in my career very early, but I have found every person I have worked with to be a valuable resource for learning. My career was really shaped by working at venues like Zuma, but also by some incredible Michelin star restaurants that I have had the privilege to work with.

How do you find mentorship if you’re looking for it? 

Mentors can come from anywhere — it doesn’t just have to be the person you work with. It’s someone who inspires you and excites you to grow not only professionally, but personally too. When you find the person that resonates with you, reach out. I don’t think I found one person yet that doesn’t want to help people. Our industry is hospitality, it’s in our DNA to help and share.

Bio

Matt’s achievements and reputation have led him to be named one of Evening Standard’s Top 1,000 Most Influential Londoners and he was awarded the 5^th Most Influential Person in Food and Drink in Australia. His groundbreaking work has impacted the cocktail industry globally. He has co-founded Fluid Movement and five award winning bars across London (Purl, Worship Street Whistling Shop, Dach & Sons, Talented Mr Fox, Peg + Patriot). He is also the creator of the boutique liquor brand Moonshine Kid. 

Matt’s seasonal British cocktail bar Scout is currently ranked #28 in World’s 50 Best Bars, was a Top 4 nominee at the Spirited Awards for World’s Best New International Bar 2019, and was also awarded Best Bar Food at the UK’s Class Awards. The Scout Sydney pop-up was a great success and nominated as one of the best new bars in the world.

In April 2021, Matt opened Re in Eveleigh. Re has been sending shockwaves across the industry with its pioneering approach to sustainability. Its latest accolade, the Ketel One World’s Most Sustainable Bar Award 2021, is proof that sustainability is more than just a cool marketing word; it can be a philosophy on which an award-winning, financially sustainable venue is built. Re was named #46 in the World’s 50 Best Bars within 6 months of opening. Matt was awarded the accolade of European Bartender of the Year at the Mixology Awards and has recently been nominated for International Bartender of the year at the Spirited Awards at Tales of the Cocktail.

Why is mentorship important within the hospitality industry?

Sometimes it’s easy to get lost by being part of this industry, we have to reach out our hand and on a daily basis there’s a lot of things that are not always healthy or the best for us. When we have mentors it helps us to surround ourselves with the right people that can help us by sharing their experience. This way we have an easier path and can avoid making the same mistakes that others did, and it gives us better tools to become a more rounded professional. 

How have your mentors shaped your career?

I have different mentors, some of them have given me the structure to learn and become a better professional in the way of studying and helping me with techniques, but some others have shown me the way of staying in this industry in a healthy way. Passing through rough patches in my personal life sometimes made me lose my focus on what was important for me and why I wanted to stay in this industry. The words of my mentor during this period helped me to stay in this industry and remember why I love it in the first place, as well as helping me to pay attention to what was important and not compare myself to other people in this industry.

How do you find mentorship if you’re looking for it?

Just ask, you will realize that people are more approachable than you think. There are different kinds of mentors: there are some that they choose you, but you can also choose who you want to learn from. When you get in touch you’ll see that people are there to help, just be patient.

Bio

Gina Barbachano is currently a bartender and general manager for Hanky Panky. She studied touristic business administration in Morelia, Michoacán, where she is from. After a couple of years working as an assistant producer for the Morelia En Boca festival, she decided to go and try her luck in Mexico City. There she was hired as a head bartender at a couple of spots: Domingo Santo Boutique Hotel and Sagardi’s Rooftop. Then, after a tip by fellow bartender Yivaldi Juárez, she learned that a space had just been opened at Hanky Panky. In 2019 she was chosen to represent mixology made with mezcal from Michoacán at Festival Cultural de México en Ibiza. After one year and a half behind the bar, she is now Hanky Panky’s bar manager.

Why is mentorship important within the hospitality industry?

Mentorship is so important in hospitality because the smallest of details and information can help someone reach their true potential. You never stop learning in life and our industry is not different. If your goal is to be the best version of yourself every day then mentorship can help you unlock so many opportunities and insights you never thought possible before. 

How have your mentors shaped your career? 

Trusting your mentor is essential. Mentors are mentors because they want to help. The motivation of a mentor is positive assessment, not to challenge or derail you. My mentors became friends because I had trust in their opinions. Their guidance helped shape the decisions I made, and those decisions I made led to me becoming a multi-award winning bar operator and brand owner. 

How do you find mentorship if you’re looking for it? 

This sounds simple, but being open to mentorship is the first step. There is a lot of ego in bartending and some bartenders believe that by working in a reputable bar you have already established yourself, but understanding that someone else can help you become even better is what separates good for great. 

Bio

Deano Moncrieffe is a global agave spirits specialist as well as a passionate advocate and consultant for Diversity and Inclusion within the hospitality industry. Deano’s standout career has seen him develop multiple small brands from concept to creation through creative innovations. He is most known for creating disruptive ground-breaking serves like the world’s first piece of drinkable cocktail art and his highly acclaimed multi award-winning cocktail Mirror Margarita. In 2020, Deano also launched his independent platform Equal Measures which aims to champion all causes related to Diversity and Inclusion in hospitality. This platform has helped further the career of hundreds of bartenders since its inception. 

In February 2023, Hacha became the first ever bar in the U.K. to have their signature serve listed in a national supermarket. Mirror Margarita will hit the shelves of Sainsbury’s in September.

In May 2023, Hacha was crowned Best Specialist Bar in the U.K. for the 2^nd year in a row.

Deano Moncrieffe’s career has so far been defined by creativity, passion, innovation and a dedicated approach to ensuring the absolute maximum emotional connection between brand and consumer as well as bartender and customer.

Why is mentorship important within the hospitality industry?

I believe mentorship to be an essential part of one’s evolution in the hospitality industry. Given the vast majority of our industry doesn’t actually follow a structured educational path, it’s one of the best ways to access tips and tricks of the trade from seasoned professionals and guidance in exploring possible next steps on one’s career path.

How have your mentors shaped your career?

I’ve been lucky to have multiple mentors in my life. Their guidance has helped me weigh the pros and cons in certain situations that I’ve faced. They have put me forward for work opportunities that I would not have likely been made aware otherwise. Some have helped me hone my palate and create more balanced and structured cocktails. A few have shared their organizational insights, which have allowed me to develop my own tricks to being more efficient in my job. Others have acted as sounding boards for the more difficult decisions that I’ve had to make along the way.

How do you find mentorship if you’re looking for it?

Mentorship is a relationship like any other. Both parties must be available and willing to engage in it. The first step is to pinpoint the people in your extended circle who could be suited to the role and determine what it is in their experience and expertise that would help you push further. It is also important to ask and be clear about your goals with them. In some cases, the person you’re looking to may have limited time and energy to give, while others may be open to a more involved and active form of mentorship. 

Bio

Kate’s passion for local flavors, spirits, and cocktails, as well as her natural inclination toward the art of hospitality, have guided her way through the world of bars and restaurants. For over a decade, she has worked with many industry leaders and earned numerous national and global accolades, including 2021 Bartender of the Year at Les Lauriers de la Gastronomie Québécoise, International Bartender of the Year Top 10 Nominee at both the 2022 and 2023 Tales of the Cocktail Foundation Spirited Awards, and named one of Drink International’s 100 Most Influential Bar World Figures in 2023. In her role as Partner and Beverage & Education Director for the Barroco Group, she strives to lead by example, help build a stronger and healthier bar community, and be a vocal champion of the Montreal and Canadian bar scenes.

Why is mentorship important within the hospitality industry?

We are an industry with high turnover and a relatively young workforce. This often doesn’t allow the same methodical career trajectory of other industries. We basically expect people to be leaders so soon after they become workers. Mentorship helps bridge that gap.

How have your mentors shaped your career?

I’ve had many different mentors throughout my career. Peer-to-peer has been a lynchpin of my journey but much of the best mentorship experience I had was from people in completely different industries. Getting insight into better business practices, marketing, and various ways of networking were immeasurable experiences I couldn’t as easily get within the industry. 

How do you find mentorship if you’re looking for it?

I think the best approach is to be intentional about your goals. Your mentor doesn’t have to be the person that embodies the actual career you want. Often, the best mentors are the ones that can help us improve in specific aspects or provide much needed connections. A mentor is very different from an idol so looking for someone who is knowledgeable with the capacity to guide and provoke is often the best approach.

Bio

Christina is the Co-Owner of Bar Mordecai, the Founder/​Owner of STAVE (a newly launched school offering beverage certifications, hospitality training and customized tasting experiences for industry and consumer alike), a Bar & Beverage Curator for Restaurants Canada Show (2018 – 2023), the National Co-ordinator for Speed Rack Canada, a WSET Spirits Educator, an Awamori Jinbner (Okinawa Prefecture), the Director of Programming Toronto Cocktail Week 2019 – 2020, and an avid fundraiser and organizer in hospitality community.

Some of her recent accolades include recognition in Canada’s 100 Best Bartender of the Year 2023 and being a Top 4 Nominee for 2023 Tales Of the Cocktail Spirited Awards International Bar Mentor. She has also been recognized as Drinks International Bar World 100 Most Influential Figures in Global Drinks Community (#44 – 2020, #52 – 2021, #32 – 2022), World’s 50 Best Bar’s Roku Industry Icon 2022, Wine and Spirits Education Trust and International Wine and Spirits Competition, FUTURE 50 Under 40, Imbibe Magazine ​“Imbibe 75” 2019, and has won of multiple cocktail competitions.

Why is mentorship important within the hospitality industry?

Mentorship is the best way to get to another level in our industry. By finding a good mentor, you can learn how to reach your goals from people who have experienced both success and failure. Mentoring others allows us to prepare the next generation to take the baton and move into leadership in the hospitality industry.

How have your mentors shaped your career?

They have given me advice on how to be a better professional, a better person, and a successful bar owner.

How do you find mentorship if you’re looking for it?

I would look for the people who are exemplary in our profession that are full of positivity. I would approach them and ask for help.

Bio

Maestro Cantinero, Julio Cabrera is an international award winning Spirits icon. For over 35 years, Julio has captured the attention and hearts of the most impressive industry legends, spirits connoisseurs, and consumers from across the globe. He is recognized for his deep passion, authenticity, and knowledge of classic cocktails, mixology, and preserving the legacy of Cuban ​“Cantineros,” the longest running and most prestigious bartenders guild in the world. His critically acclaimed Miami bar ​“Cafe La Trova” garnered him the #21 spot on the list of ​“World’s 50 Best Bars” in 2022 and the #9 position for ​“50 Best North America” in 2023, where Julio was honored with the prestigious ​“Icon Award” for his incredible contributions to the global drinks industry. Additional awards include ​“2013 Most Imaginative Bartender of America” by GQ and Bombay Sapphire, and ​“American Bartender of the Year 2019” at Tales of the Cocktail. Julio is also a talented judge for some of the most recognized global spirits competitions in the world. His most recent endeavor has allowed Julio to showcase his love for fine cigars, with the new launch of super premium brand, Sacrificio Cigars.

Thank you to our mentors for generously sharing their insights, experiences, and wisdom. 

Mentorship is more than skill acquisition; it’s about fostering a sense of community, inspiring creativity, and passing down the torch of knowledge to ensure the bar industry continues to flourish. As you embark on your own PATRÓN Perfectionists journey and taking your bar career to the next level, we hope you seek out mentors who inspire you, who challenge you, and who believe in your potential. 

Want more mentorship? Check out seminars from our mentors here and keep up with us on @academia_patron.