MAFFEO DRINKS

In this episode, Chris Maffeo talks to Federico Riezzo, hospitality veteran and founder of Villa Mamo (a Villa in Tuscany), about London's cocktail renaissance and why human connection beats technical skills in bartending. Federico shares his experience at legendary London cocktail bars like The Pharmacy, Lab, Sketch, and Sanderson Hotel during the cocktail revival of the late 1990s and early 2000s. Learn how exceptional bartenders combined technical excellence with infectious energy to create welcoming environments that prioritize guest experience over complex mixology.Chris and Federico explore how service philosophy transforms bartenders into "gatekeepers of sales" through trust-building techniques like spirit sampling and storytelling. Discover practical hospitality strategies that create memorable bar experiences, generate customer loyalty, and drive organic word-of-mouth marketing in the cocktail industry.Perfect for bartenders, bar managers, hospitality professionals, cocktail enthusiasts, and anyone interested in London's cocktail history and modern bar service excellence.Timestamps00:00 Introduction and Villa Mamo Overview08:15 London Cocktail Renaissance Era16:30 Service Philosophy vs Technical Skills24:45 Trust-Building Through Sampling32:20 Munich Bar Experience Example37:46 Gatekeepers of Sales Concept

Filiberto Amati, Founder of ‪AmatiAssociates‬ and Head of Partnerships at MAFFEO DRINKS, is a veteran of major spirits companies, including Campari and Di Saronno.He dissects the post-COVID reality facing the spirits industry, revealing how the pandemic created a temporary "shock" that artificially inflated off-trade volumes while disrupting traditional brand-building pathways.Drawing from his deep beverage industry expertise, Filiberto explains how consumption patterns are realigning to pre-pandemic trends—exposing brands that gained artificial traction during lockdowns without building genuine on-trade education or loyalty.The conversation explores how consumers increasingly practice "zebra-striping"—switching between categories within the same occasion—why cultural movements drive successful brand rituals from Aperol's orange visual cue to Corona's lime mythology, and how route-to-market consolidation is reshaping competitive dynamics across the fragmented spirits landscape.Timestamps:00:00 Introduction and COVID Impact Context03:45 Post-Pandemic Volume Normalization09:20 On-Trade Education Crisis Analysis16:15 Off-Trade vs On-Trade Dynamics23:30 Category Blurification and Zebra Striping Occasions28:45 Route-to-Market Consolidation Trends

Filiberto Amati, Founder of Amati & Associates and a seasoned executive from major spirits brands like Campari, dives into the seismic shifts in the global drinks ecosystem. He explains the "shrink for growth" strategy that spirits companies are adopting, moving from economies of scale to scope. The conversation reveals how divestitures by giants like Campari and Diageo are a response to investor pressures, and discusses opportunities for mid-tier players capitalizing on assets. This transformation could reshape industry dynamics for the next decade.

Ben Branson, the visionary founder of Seedlip, Sylva, and Seasn, revolutionized the non-alcoholic spirits landscape. He shares his journey from farming to launching the first distilled non-alcoholic spirit. Branson emphasizes the crucial step of building categories before brands in the drinks industry. He discusses the evolving market dynamics, the challenges of retail accessibility, and the importance of understanding cultural contexts. His insightful approach focuses on the influential '1000 people that matter' and the need for authentic storytelling in product development.

Join host Chris Maffeo as he chats with Kait Wilkes, an industry veteran with 15 years of global experience (just nominated #40 on the Drinks International Top 100 List). The episode was recorded during the Mirror Hospitality Expo, hosted by Mirror Bar in Bratislava (Just nominated #62 on 50 Best Bars).Kait shares her journey from bartending to advocacy, offering insights on navigating the drinks and hospitality industry. They discuss the different perspectives between bartenders and brands, the importance of a well-thought-out drink strategy, and how smaller brands can thrive. Kait also emphasizes the importance of long-term relationships, authenticity, and mentorship in the industry. Tune in to understand how to build a sustainable brand bottom-up and hear Kaits' expert advice for upcoming bartenders and brand advocates.Timestamps:00:00 Introduction to Maffeo Drinks Podcast00:26 Guest Introduction: Kait's Journey in the Drinks Industry03:35 The Disconnect Between Drinks and Hospitality Industries05:53 Building Authentic Brand Partnerships11:54 Challenges and Strategies for Small Brands18:26 Long-Term Brand Advocacy and Relationship Building21:25 Crafting a Purposeful Drink Strategy22:01 The Role of Drink Strategy in Brand Promotion22:32 Simplifying Cocktails for the Consumer24:22 Understanding Drink Trends and Market Adaptation28:07 Supporting Bartenders and Their Career Growth31:48 Navigating Cocktail Competitions37:04 Final Thoughts and Authentic Connections

Chris Walker, an entrepreneur and founder of Refine Labs and Passetto, joins the conversation packed with insights on bootstrapping versus venture capital. He debunks myths about needing significant funding for success and emphasizes self-sufficiency and personal alignment as keys to entrepreneurship. The discussion dives into overcoming procrastination and emotional barriers to progress, highlighting the value of diverse skills. Walker also critiques glamorized media narratives that can mislead aspiring founders, advocating for authentic connections in business.

Luke Hemsley, founder of Wednesday's Domaine, dives into the world of alcohol-free wine, focusing on creating a sophisticated midweek alternative for food lovers. He discusses the challenges of awareness and consumer perception in a market that historically prioritizes beer and spirits. Luke emphasizes the evolution of social drinking, advocating for the enjoyment of alcohol-free options in social settings. He also shares insights on strategic marketing, the importance of independent retailers, and the balance founders must maintain between passion and delegation.

Paul Thomas, the 'king of insights' at Suntory Global Spirits, returns to share his expertise on understanding consumer behavior beyond just data. He emphasizes observing products in real environments rather than from marketing cold spots. The discussion covers the shift to occasion-based marketing and critiques the research industry's fast and cheap methodologies that undermine quality. Paul advocates for a balance of qualitative and quantitative research, stressing the importance of curiosity in developing effective brand strategies and enhancing consumer engagement.

Racheal Vaughan Jones, part of the marketing team at Compass Box, dives into how the brand redefines whisky by positioning itself as true 'whisky makers.' She discusses the recent transformation of their core range into four intuitive flavor profiles and the philosophy behind their 'Long Live Interesting' branding. Racheal also highlights the award-winning 'Hedonism' limited edition, showcasing its collaboration with female artists. The conversation reveals innovative local marketing strategies and the emotional storytelling that enhances consumer connections.

David Gluckman, a drinks industry icon and author of "That Sh*t Will Never Sell," shares his journey of creating legendary brands like Baileys and Ciroc. He dives into the flaws of traditional consumer research and emphasizes the value of hands-on testing and liquid excellence in product development. David discusses the critical nature of ownership in brand success and how great beverages can thrive without conventional marketing. Tune in for engaging stories and insights that blend creativity with business savvy.