For Russell, the feeling of having an idea, bringing it to life and putting a smile on the customers face is what makes the drinks industry such a rewarding place to work. There aren’t many other jobs where your creativity can have such an immediate impact.
It’s a feeling that he loves to pass on to others, having trained thousands of bartenders both locally and overseas. Russell is also Mathieu Teisseire’s award winning Brand Ambassador in the Middle East, and he pours his passion into the vibrant non-alcoholic cocktail scene across the region.
He’s seen a growing trend for ‘gram-worthy’ drinks, pushing the envelope on innovations like smoky liquid nitrogen, rice paper art and many more.
Russell’s top 5 tips for every drinks master:
- Always measure the recipes – small amounts can make a big difference
- Balance is everything – the flavours you choose are irrelevant if a drink is out of balance
- Always show passion and enthusiasm in what you do
- Expose yourself to as many experiences and learning opportunities as possible
- Never stop learning and always sharpen your ‘saw’!
