The Philip Duff Show #113, Hayden “Woody” Wood, cocktail entrepreneur, world champion, author of 10 cocktail books (and Guy Fieri’s tour buddy)
May 26, 2025
Hayden “Woody” Wood is a New Zealand cocktail entrepreneur and flair bartending champion, known for his ten bestselling cocktail books and for touring with Guy Fieri. In this engaging discussion, Woody shares his journey from burnout to innovation, as he introduces Drinks Network to revolutionize liquor distribution in Australia. He reflects on the changing dynamics of nightlife post-pandemic, the evolution of cocktail culture, and the importance of self-care in hospitality. Listeners will enjoy his insights on resilience, creativity, and the future of bartending.
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Humble Beginnings Sparked A Career
- Hayden Wood started stealing from his dad's liquor cabinet and made his first cocktails and distillations as a teenager in New Zealand.
- He ran his first solo bar shift at 16 and used that momentum to work internationally and build his bartending career.
World Title Launched A Global Tour
- Remy Australia sponsored Hayden to compete in the World Flare Bartending Champs after seeing his demo tape and he won the world title.
- That victory launched a 12-year world tour of shows, ambassadorships, and brand work.
Start With What You Have
- Start small and build incrementally rather than waiting for perfect investment or partners.
- Hayden formed Mondo Bartenders with two people and scaled it into multiple cities and dozens of staff.
