1) What is your background in cocktails?
My passion started at the age of 17 where I had to figure out a last minute present for my best mate. After a couple of hours of searching the internet for ideas I came across a cocktail named “Grasshopper” which required two of the three ingredients which had been sitting on my parents shelf for a couple of years, the minute I started shaking in and straining it through into a glass a switch went off for the first time in my head. This was the first of many, many, many cocktails I have come to make.
I began my professional career at ‘Be at One” in Brighton, a company that allowed me to develop my skills by working through a number of industry recognised levels of bar-tending from speed, spec and pour. I honed my skills working at different bars all over the country. In 2018 I entered the National Bartender Challenge (BTC) in 2018, a live front bar challenge presenting my skills, knowledge and consistency to a panel of the founders of Be at One – I got 2nd place from 350+ entries!
2) Why did you decide to invest in a business in Worthing?
I always felt that Worthing deserved a place where the most important thing was the guests experience with friendly service from bartenders with real training and a love for what bar-tending really is. This is how I met Ben Thompson, the drummer from Two Door Cinema Club, a friend of a friend at the time. We came to work together after a coffee where we shared ideas and realised we had a common clear sight of an end goal.
3) Where do you go for a night out in Worthing?
For a night out in Worthing starting off at the Libertine is always a good shout for a great beers and a good meet up spot, I then suggest personally going across the road to Manuka for some fire shows behind the bar and when the bars are closing Bar 10 is always a perfect end off with mates.
4) What would your perfect day in Worthing look like?
The first place I went to when I came back to work in Worthing was Malt Cafe on Montague Street for breakfast which is definitely more than your traditional breakfast and coffees, if it’s a sunny day Steyne Gardens is a must for a dog walk as the beach is just a stone’s throw away.
Head to Manuka Bar & Kitchen, check out their latest events & special cocktails now!