Salvatore Calabrese at Bar FIFTY
"The Maestro"
Salvatore "The Maestro" Calabrese is one of the world’s leading bartenders whose performance arena is the glamorous Salvatore at FIFTY in London’s St James's. If all the world is a stage, then Salvatore's bar sure is one corner of it that guarantees entertainment and service of the highest level.
The Maestro
The man affectionately called "The Maestro" developed his talent for combining flavours at an early age while working in a bar in Maiori, a small village on Italy’s Amalfi Coast. In his 20s, Salvatore came to London to check out the sophisticated hotel bars, and gained a position at the Duke’s Hotel in St James’s. While at the Duke’s he began to develop a niche market for extra-special cognacs. This was the start of a concept he calls Liquid History. Salvatore then moved to the illustrious and luxurious Lanesborough Hotel in Knightsbridge, where he further developed his unique "host with the most" style.
New and old cocktails
From the start, it was a passion for the great classic cocktails that led him to recreate them for his guests. The Maestro also experimented with new liqueurs, both new and old spirits and fresh juices, culminating in exotic cocktails that have themselves become classics. For a fee, he will create a bespoke cocktail for you or a friend as the ultimate gift.
Salvatore Calabrese is the current President of the United Kingdom Bartenders’ Guild, taking over from his good friend Peter Dorelli, who recently retired from the Savoy Hotel. Today, Salvatore Calabrese is active within the International bartenders’ Association (IBA) and on the global stage, encouraging young bartenders to shake it more professionally through the UKBG’s training programs, while also appearing at national and international bartenders competitions as a judge and mentor.
Master Classes, articles and books
The Mastro runs Master Classes for people who want to know more about spirits, and is a very popular guest at many wines and spirits events. Salvatore has worked to establish himself as a leading personality in the beverage world, and promotes his ideals through various newspaper articles and television and radio appearances, his column in GQ magazine, and through his books.
His first book, entitled Classic Cocktails, in print since 1997, has sold over 700,000 copies, and The Complete Home Bartenders’ Guide (2002) has sold over 400,000 copies to date. His other titles include After-Dinner Drinks, Summer Cocktails, Cognac: A Liquid History, Cocktails for Wimps, Sexy Cocktails, Virgin Cocktails, and Hangover Cures.
Awards and News 2009
THEME MAGAZINE NAMES MAESTRO NUMERO UNO
IAN CAMERON, ASSISTANT EDITOR OF THEME MAGAZINE EXPLAINS THE PHENOMENON OF THIS AWARD, GIVEN BY HIS PEERS IN THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY IN THE UK.
As we reveal the results of our poll of the most influential people in the bar industry, I’ve been wondering whether it’s possible to determine the characteristics of success. Knowing the results of the Top 100 before they were made public, I took advantage of an invitation by Campari to make cocktails with the man who tops the list this year, the one and only Salvatore Calabrese.
But it wasn’t so much what he was saying that captured my attention – though being taught to ‘lift’ a Negroni’s ingredients by The Maestro is about as good a lesson in drinks making and history as you’re going to get – it was watching him interact with everyone. Working the room, he put everyone at ease with carefully aimed small talk, personalised welcomes and great eye contact, all with a smile on his face. Confident body language: professional, but totally relaxed and at ease. One by one, each person got their time in the Salvatore spotlight.
I’ve referred to him as a benchmark for the rest of the industry. He covers a lot of bases: career bartender, operator of his own eponymous bar at Fifty, published author with 1.5 million book sales and a liquid historian too.
But the thing Salvatore believes is the most important – and most frequently forgotten – aspect of the industry, is remembering why the industry is here: to host customers. At this Campari event he was in his element – truly the host with the most. His customer service standards are, admittedly, high, very high. This is a man who trained wearing white gloves, but still had his fingernails checked; where a kick up the backside meant just that.
But his attitude, ethos and style constitute valuable lessons for anyone in the trade, front or back-of-house, either side of the bar. If you can combine amazing personal skills with a superb palate for flavours – and if Salvatore teaches us just one thing, it’s that that’s the right way round – you’re mixing a great recipe for success.
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In 1992 Salvatore Calabrese was awarded the Chevalier du Champagne, and in 1993 he was awarded the prestigious Chevalie du Cognac. His most recent awards include Class Awards 2005 Best New Bar, Class Awards 2006 Bar of the Year, Class Awards 2006 Best Cocktail Offering.
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Theme Magazine presented him with the Outstanding Achievement Award 2006, and the Italian Bartenders Association (AIBES) surprised him with an Outstanding Achievement Award 2006 for his contribution to the bar industry.
Breakfast Martini Video
Watch the video of Salvatore talking about and making his famous Breakfast Martini.
Keeper of the Quaich
Salvatore is one of the few prestigious Keeper of the Quaich members. Read more »
Calabrese Cocktails »
A bartender lives on through his cocktails. In the Maestro's case, the legacy includes some unique combinations of flavours, such as his surprising Spicy Fifty and Breakfast Martini.
Cognac »
Salvatore Calabrese has a passion for Cognac. In particular, the vintage Cognacs in the historic, dust-covered bottles that only get to see the light of night when the moment calls for a very special occasion. What is so tantalizing about liquid history in a glass?
Books »
Salvatore's first book, entitled Classic Cocktails, in print since 1997, has sold over 700,000 copies, and The Complete Home Bartenders’ Guide (2002) has sold over 800,000 copies to date.
His other titles include After-Dinner Drinks, Summer Cocktails, Cognac: A Liquid History, Cocktails for Wimps, Sexy Cocktails, Virgin Cocktails, and Hangover Cures. His latest work is called Cocktails by Flavour.