Max La Rocca @ CitySpace Bar – Moscow

SAVE THE DATE: 21/25 November 2011

I’ve been mixing with the head “up in the Coulds” on the 33rd floor @ City Space Bar & Lounge that has been rated among the 50 best Bars in the World by Diffordsguide 2011 and one of the World’s Top Ten Bars by the Bartender’s Guide 2008.
It is located on the top floor (140m) of Swissotel Krasnye Holmy and offers breathtaking 360 degree view of Moscow.

Thanks for joining me, and the amazing City Space Family 😉

Спасибo!

“WHERE IS THE TURKEY?” Cocktail for ThanksGiving Day in..Moscow @ CitySpace with a Renato Carosone “Tu vuò fà l’americano” Background music…a coincidence?? 😉

City Space Official Video Trailer





Max La Rocca on BarBusiness Magazine Spain

Thanks to Diego Arnold (DrinksMotion) and George Restrepo

Source:
BarBusiness Espana

Google English Translation of the article

Como comenzaste en la coctelería?
Empecé en 2006 en el Lab Bar de Senigallia en Italia, come camarero de Bar y Bar Back, entonces me encontré con un amigo mío que es professor en una escuela de Hostelería, que me convenció para asistir a un cursode la AIBES (Asociación de Bartenders Italianos).

Cual es bartender formador de opinión que mas admiras?
Stanislav Vadrna con su “Ichigo Ichie” que es una filosofía japonesa de como se debe atender a un cliente basandose en el concepto “UN ENCUENTRO, UNA OPORTUNIDAD” por lo tanto, la importancia està en el tiempo y en los detalles, cosas que para mi son sagradas.
Razón por cual he sido fotografiado para la portada de este número de Drinksmotion con un reloj de bolsillo (tiempo) y una pinza de cirugía que agarra una coctelera muy pequeña (detalles)
En donde trabajas actualmente?
Trabajo como Supervisor de Bar en el Boutique Bar del Ohla Hotel en Barcelona,
Que tendencias ves en la coctelería en España?
Pienso que España está viviendo una gradual expansión de la “mixologìa” en los últimos años , en un país “gobernado” por la Ginebra y el Gin Tonic, sin embargo hay un gran interés de los clientes (no sólo los jóvenes) por experimentar en el mundo de la coctelería.
Que tendencias ves en la coctelería en el mundo?
Al igual que en todos los ambitos, la evolución llega a un punto donde tiene que reconsiderarse a sì misma y el mundo de los cócteles està viviendo un retorno a la mixologìa clásica (yo diría que a veces, con una búsqueda maníaca por muchos Barmans) cuyas fórmulas y recetas son la base de la coctelería moderna.
El enfoque cada vez se centra en màs en la salud del cliente ofreciendo cócteles más pequeños y creados con productos de calidad, de forma que los clientes puedan revivir el placer de saborear quizás más que un cóctel, sin contraindicaciones exageradas.
Si tendrías que elegir un cóctel, cual elegirías?
Un Americano, bien hecho, por supuesto, con su sabor amargo pero al mismo tiempo refrescante y ligero, desde siempre mi compañero de viajes.

Cual es el producto que salio este año que más te ha gustado?
Kammerling’s Ginger Spirit.

Si te tendrías que llevar 3 herramientas de coctelería a una isla desierta cuales serian?
Una coctelera Cobbler, un buen cuchillo Japonés multiuso y uno contenedor isotérmico gigante con el hielo para un tiempo.

Y si te tendrías que llevar un espirituoso y dos licores cuales serian?
Whisky, Chartreuse y Benedictine

Como seria una noche perfecta para Max?
Una noche con una sinergia excelente entre los sentidos, con una agradable compañía, un ambiente calido y acojedor, una buena música, cócteles excelentes, buena comida una interacción agradable con el barman/camareros/anfitrión, que harán todo lo posible para hacer de mi noche, una noche única.

Gracias a DrinksMotion/Bar Business por recibirme en su rivista, y a todos los lectores por tomarse su tiempo para leer mis pensamientos.

From Sperlonga to Brazil selected by U2


Mixing with the Stars..Max La Rocca as Head Bartender @ U2 VIP Lounge

FROM THE ARTICLE ABOVE by Barbara Savodini (Source: Corriere Pontino):

After carrying out amazing jobs, perhaps this is the most prestigious ever, since Max La Rocca, a Bartender of International fame, was contacted by U2.

But what do a Mixologist and a rock band have in common?
Perhaps only Ireland, the birthplace of Bono Vox and his group, but also a land of outstanding cocktails that hosted Max and crowned him “Bartender of the year” in 2010.

A really important recognition that, shortly thereafter, gave him the chance to fly to Athens and score an excellent third place in the world of cocktails worldwide.

Over 900 bartenders from all over the world, Max La Rocca was so brilliant to be chosen amongst the best 24 and achieved the third place, that’s why U2 have thought he was the person they were looking for to create a VIP Lounge Area and make it into a masterpiece.

It is an incredible challenge to work as Head Bartender of the “VIP lounge” for the 3-day concert that Bono and his people planned in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

And while Morumbi Stadium, was hosting 80.000 people, Max La Rocca was making liquor libations to VIPs and international celebrities.

And so, after collecting important awards in Europe, Max has flown across the globe to bring, even in the land of samba and capoeira, a pinch of his beloved hometown Sperlonga.

Thanks so much to all the people behind:

TAM Airlines The Main Sponsor
Reisman Producoes The PR Agency
Pernod-Ricard Distribution
St Germain Elderflower Liqueur
DLX Bar ServiceThe Bar Catering Company
– My friend and colleague RAFAEL PIZANTI froma Copacabana Palace Luxury Hotel in Rio de Janeiro.
– My friend and colleague MARCIO SILVA for his support and kindness

and ALL the other new friends and colleagues who have made this event AMAZING!! It as been a REAL pleasure to work with you ALL!!






DIAGEO WORLD CLASS 2010 GLOBAL FINAL IN ATHENS



Cocktail King of the World

Congratulations to Mr Erik Lorincz from Connaught Bar, London that has claimed the prestigious title of Diageo World Class Bartender of the Year 2010!!!!

After a year long search which saw 9000 bartenders from around the globe shake, stir and pour their way through national heats, just 24 of the most talented and inspirational bartenders congregated in beautiful Athens to go head to head over four days of challenges.

The six themed challenges ranged from, ‘Architecture’ which tested the bartenders ingenuity and ability to adapt fresh ingredients from a local market to create a cocktail out of their chosen produce, to ‘History’ which examined the bartenders’ knowledge of mixology and pursuit of perfection.

In-between all the excitement we managed to catch up with one of the elite judges, Dale DeGroff, and he commented saying, “What’s most impressive about Diageo Reserve World Class is how every aspect of the craft of bartending is tested by the challenges and judges. You need to be creative, thorough and skilled – it’s daunting. Each year I learn different skills from everyone I meet at World Class including the contestants. These 21st century bartenders are the pioneers of a new golden age of the craft.” An incredible experience was had by all involved, each taking away with them some very special memories.

Year after year, bartenders are receiving more recognition for their exceptional craft and the excitement and passion in cocktail culture keeps growing, so we thank you all who contribute to the World Class standard.

( Source: www.weareworldclass.com )

GARY REGAN

DALE DEGROFF AND ANGUS WINCHESTER

World Class Bartender of the Year 2010 Winner:
Erik Lorincz, The Connaught, London, United Kingdom

World Class Bartender of the Year 2010 Runner- up:
Do Hwan Eom, The Ritz Bar, The Ritz-Carlton, Seoul, Korea

**World Class Bartender of the Year 2010 Third Place:
**MAX LA ROCCA, Sheen Falls Lodge Relais & Chateaux, Kenmare, Co. Kerry, Ireland.

The Podium: Erick Lorincz, Do Hwan Eom, Max La Rocca

..AND THE WINNERS OF THE SIX CHALLENGES ARE:

**World Class ‘Theatre’ Challenge Winner – Ritual & Cocktail Theatre
**MAX LA ROCCA, Sheen Falls Lodge Relais & Chateaux, Kenmare, Co. Kerry, Ireland.

World Class ‘Gastronomy’ Challenge Winner – Canapé Matching
Jordi Otero, Mandarin Oriental, Barcelona, Spain

World Class ‘Architecture’ Challenge Winner – Market Challenge
Do-Hwan Eom, The Ritz Bar, The Ritz-Carlton, Seoul, Korea

World Class ‘Art’ Challenge Winner – Speed & Taste
Heinz Kaiser, DINO’S American Bar, Vienna, Austria

World Class ‘History’ Challenge Winner – Classic Cocktails
Timo Janse, Door 74, Amsterdam, Netherlands

World Class ‘Philosophy’ Challenge Winner – Cocktail Mastery
Torsten Spuhn, Modern Master Bar and Lounge, Erfut, Germany

SPEED AN TASTE CHALLENGE

RITUAL & THEATRE CHALLENGE

Announcement of the RITUAL & THEATRE CHALLENGE WINNER

DIAGEO WORLD CLASS 2010 GLOBAL FINAL CEREMONY
Announcement of 1st 2nd and 3d Place

Some of Max La Rocca’s Jugdes Feedback:

-“Best Aviaton in the competition” (Salvatore Calabrese – Classic Challenge);

-“You can see the Italian School of Bartending in this performance even representing another beautiful country” ( Dale Degroff – Market Challenge);

-“Excellent perfomance, elegance and nice organization of the counter” (Hidetsugu Ueno – Speed and taste);

-“Beautiful Whisky Cocktails made with Passion” (Gary Regan – Mastery Challenge);

-In the Ritual & Theatre Challenge Peter Dorelli when presented with an unexpected iPhone and listening to the music while sipping JOHNNIE WALKER BLUE LABEL: “I feel like I’m flying”.