Where do you work?

Igiea Terrazza Bar at Villa Igiea a Rocco Forte Hotel.

Tell us something about yourself.

I consider myself a dynamic, willing, reliable person and particularly interested. Hardworking, adaptable and a fast learner. I am passionate about social relationships and customer care. I like to work in fast-paced environments where I can get professional improvement and growth.

What inspired you to get into bartending?

I remember, my first time in a cocktail bar was in London at the Lobby Bar One Aldwych Hotel. It was 2015, I was 22, and I did not have any ideas about mixology. But that place made my eyes shine, it was the beginning of everything, and I made myself a promise, one day you will become one of them.

How according to you has the role of the Bartender evolved, especially now during Covid times?

To be honest during Covid, especially during the lockdown, I took the chance to study new techniques, new spirits and recorded myself making cocktails and speaking.

What are some of the most important skills for a bartender to have?

To be good at mixing, have knowledge regarding what you do and the most important skill is Hospitality. Make your customer feel at home.

What do you look for when you plan to buy spirits for your bar?

I am looking for something that satisfies my tastes, in order to then be able to recommend them to my customers.

What support programs work best for you from suppliers?

I believe that the best support program entails a total cooperation between the suppliers and the bar. I am speaking about advice on new products, new equipment etc.

What cocktails and drinks trends do you see in 2022?

After almost 2 years of Covid, I see in 2022 a return to the great classics or to spectacular innovations.

What's the best part of your job?

As I said previously, one of the most important skills for a bartender is hospitality. I believe that the best part of my job is entertaining the customer with your knowledge while you are shaking or mixing.

What are your favorite TV shows right now? Or your favorite movie?

Nothing to see with bartending, I love the Marvel world.

If you had to pick one spirit as your personal best, which would it be and why?

I always have a good rum at home, it's my favorite spirit. But, to work with, in my bar there will always be St. Germain.

How are you marketing your bar to drive some foot traffic during and post Covid-19?

Thanks to the cooperation of the team, we try to follow all the procedures in order to let customers notice that we care about their health.

Any tips for new bartenders?

Just follow your passion.

What’s the most underrated cocktail ingredient or spirit?

I think that in mixology, the most underrated spirit is the Italian Amaro.

Giovanni Turano, Bartender at Rocco Forte Hotels

What is an experience or a customer story you thought was funny and you remember?

A story I remember is not funny but it opened my mind. Once a guest from Seattle told me that you can not understand the power if you have not seen New York City yet. I did a couple years later, and I understood what my guest was trying to tell. The power is on you, but what makes the difference is the location.

What are the 4-5 challenges you face in your business and how do you overcome them?

I believe that bartending is challenging. Everytime you want to improve yourself is a challenge.

What's your career goal, where do you want to be and how are you working towards it?

I started my bartending career in London, now I am in Palermo and I will move to Madrid. My goal is to create a concept that involves all the cultures that I have worked in.

Define a good Bartender according to you.

The best bartender in my opinion is the good balance between the art of mixing and the art of hospitality.

What's an ideal Bar drinks menu? What should it include, what profit metric should it try and achieve?

It's all about the concept. You need to create an idea of a menu that everyone can understand and enjoy. Can be a concept of journey, theatre, movies, cultures, discovering.