Well it would seem that the English cocktail bartender is hard to find. London seems thriving with very professional Italian bartenders, French bartenders and Bartenders from the Czech Republic. After visiting the Ritz with Walter, the Connaught with Ago, the Playboy Club with Salvatoré, Dukes with Allesandro the Langham with Alex not to mention the Night Jar. Although I did miss Ingrid at the Blue bar.

A lot of these bartenders came to the Connaught for the Master Class, taking place in all 3 areas of the Illustrious Connaught Cocktail Bar. Ago Perroné offered us a marvelous show finishing with a cocktail and rose petals in the sky.

Three subjects were worked upon. Agos approach to service and the cocktail, the psychology of the cocktail and the incredible training an education in French hotel schools (3 years for an MCB) which is an Apprentice program followed by another 3 years to a possible Meilleur Ouvrier de France Degree equivalent from the Sorbonne University. The first country in the world to offer a Ministry of Education Degree equivalent in the world and open to all nationalities provided they work the 3 years prior to the exam in France and speak French.

Verses….. the incredible input of bartenders all over the world who have not done hotel school. They may say that you don’t have to go to Hotel school to be a great bartender and they are, of course, right. However, the hotel school does give young people an excellent base to start from and it eases the young people into a real working situation.

Bear in mind that unemployment in France for the under 25’s is actually 25% but for those, all professions included, that have had Apprentice program courses and training particularly Meilleur Apprentice de France, the unemployment is only 10%!!

Ago offered us a final example of his showmanship. A cocktail with rose petals flying through the bar.

Well I certainly learned a lot from Ago Perrone and his professional and charming team.

A little thought for Lorenza, Valentina, Suzanna, Luisa and Maura. The Happy dream team!

I want to come back!