A Message from Mike Nardelli

EDITOR’S Letter

“Intelligence without ambition is a bird without wings.” — Salvador Dali

We all have to start somewhere. My “somewhere” was at a bar on the Venice Beach boardwalk, a place I’d service ten bar seats and eight tables and where locals and tourists flocked for brunch to test their limits with the $3 Bloody Mary and Mimosa special. The locale and volume created a prime opportunity for those short on cash and full of audacity to dine and ditch; this would typically take place during a rush while I had my back turned to ring in a large order or while I was grabbing a to-go box from the back. By the time I noticed their absence, my guests had successfully escaped and had become lost in the sea of daily boardwalk visitors.

After the first few occurrences, I decided this wasn’t going to happen again on my watch. I invested in a new pair of black, dress code approved Nike running shoes; I was ready. The next shift when someone ran out on the bill, I chased them down the boardwalk and nabbed them somewhere between the snake lady and the acrobatic street performers and got them to return and pay.

Thinking back on that moment in my bartending career, I needn’t have wasted my time. They didn’t tip me when they settled their bill, and my valiant attempt disrupted my service. I realize now my time would have been better spent paying attention to the paying guests who would return.

Hospitality is the bedrock on which we build our craft. My greatest mentors have always displayed that and have continually shown that there’s room for all of us to succeed.

Bartending truly requires a multifaceted skill set that extends beyond cocktail creation and can take getting experience at numerous establishments to build. I have found that the moment you feel yourself operating on autopilot and are no longer learning, it’s time to move on. I may have retired the black Nikes but the skills I’ve gained will stick with me for life. Mike Nardelli

Mike Nardelli is an award-winning mixologist with over a decade of experience. His cocktails have been featured far and wide at numerous venues such as Art Basel, South Beach Wine & Food Festival and Bar Convent Brooklyn and in the media in SOMM Journal and on CW Morning News. He is currently the U.S. Brand Ambassador for Licor 43.

Outside of the beverage industry, Mike can usually be found enjoying the outdoors with his wife Shirin and son Enzo. He looks forward to making his contribution toward the growth and brand recognition of Licor 43 and Zamora Company USA.