Stories
Vinod Gharti
My Story
Journey of Bartender
- Nationality: Indian
- Occupation: Mixologist, Blogger
- Workplace: Delhi, India
- Favorite Cocktail: Old Fashioned
- Favorite Spirit: Whisky
What inspired you to become a bartender:
Before becoming a bartender I did many things like joining the army, sailing ships and I was an area manager with a big company but I was not satisfied with my work. Then one day I saw the movie Cocktail with Tom Cruise, and after that I decided I would like a bartending job and that I would be a good bartender and enjoy it like Tom Cruise. The main thing that inspired me was the glamour of working behind the bar, showing your own skills in freestyle and everyone trying to approach the bartenders in the bar or restaurant.
Tell me about your bartending journey and how you got to where you are now:
After deciding that I wanted to become a bartender, the first thing that came to my mind was flair bartending, so I tried to become a flair bartender but there were no institutions, no classes. It was very difficult for me, day by day I practiced a lot but I couldn’t perform as a professional flair bartender. Then I moved on to mixology and started again, the best thing was that I loved reading so it was very helpful for me as most of my free time was used to study. I also studied master classes and other online courses which were very helpful for me and I got what I wanted after all this, so now I’m a good mixologist. I’ve written many blogs, made videos and participated in many events and other bartender activities.
What stamp would you like to leave on the industry:
I want to leave my name and fame and become big in the bar industry. I want my struggles and sacrifices to be worth it, so I want to teach and give back in the right way to bartenders so that they can go on the right path. I want my name to be known and work on getting awards in this industry.
Can you explain your personal process for creating a cocktail:
Before creating a cocktail, I study and get knowledge about ingredients and find out if it will be toxic or not if I mix them with other ingredients. After that, I chose different things about my cocktail and mostly I prefer my cocktail to have a nutrition value. Lastly, my cocktail presentation which is related to the base of my cocktail will explain the story itself. At the end my cocktail must be attractive and logical.
What is the most important part of what you do and what does it mean to you:
For me most important part is that we should be loyal in our work and be on down to earth and if these both are we willl follow so we never be let down
What do you think will be the future of the F&B industry:
The Food & Beverage industry is necessary for human beings, it will never end. Day by day it will grow more and reach a high peak. People can’t survive without food and drink the same as our industry. If people consume a lot, we will serve a lot – we depend on human needs.
Anything that would you like to add?
I just want to add some words: show yourself as you are and try to improve but show off your work and skills, not yourself. Believe in yourself and remember you can do it, nothing is impossible and all things are created by human beings, so we can do anything.
Most bizarre client request:
It has been a long time since I worked at the Delhi Airport bar but one guest came directly to me and asked me to give him a Sourtoe Cocktail. I knew he was trying to make me confused and get me in trouble. The good thing is that I knew what a sour toe cocktail was which is a very weird drink. I replied, “Sorry sir, I don’t have a dead man’s preserved toe so I cannot make it for you but if you really want you have two options: instead of toe I can put a date fruit, if it’s not good enough for you I will cut my toe and put it in the cocktail”. After that the guest was so happy he appreciated me and said,”You know about cocktails, that is the best thing which impressed me alot”. That is my life’s weird or bizarre request because I only heard about that cocktail even though I never thought that someone would ask me.