The Bar at The Dorchester’s Award-Winning Team Steals the Show
14 July 2010
After seven decades of reigning supreme over London’s nightlife, The Bar at The Dorchester closed for a redesign and reopened in June 2006 to reintroduce London to the delights of cocktail hour. International interior designer Thierry Despont created an opulent, glamorous interior in which to enjoy timeless Martinis, modish Mojitos and forgotten classics such as The Martinez and The Vesper. New creations such as the Hibiscus Royale feature alongside exclusive ‘lip gloss’ cocktails such as the Champagne Shimmer. Each cocktail is presented impeccably and with originality. Bellinis are poured from beautiful bespoke teapots and Mulitos drunk from South American mate pots. There are even recipes from Harry Craddock, widely regarded as the original cocktail authority in the UK, and the original Head Bartender at The Dorchester when the bar opened in the 1930s.
The Bar at The Dorchester is renowned for seeking out the finest and most eclectic selection of spirits and wines from small, independent distilleries to established names. Bombay Sapphire has chosen The Bar as the only UK venue to serve their latest creation, the “Bombay Londres”, which will be available from September to December 2010. Sipsmith Independent Sprits, a small West London distillery that is home to the first handmade copper-pot still in London, also sought to team up with The Bar at The Dorchester launching a Martini Master Class earlier this year.
Since 2008, The Dorchester’s guests have been able to sample the delights of a forgotten spirit - Old Tom Gin. Described as "the gentle cousin" of London Dry Gin, Old Tom Gin was a popular drink for many years but became something of a rarity, vanishing from the UK drinks market entirely and therefore retaining a cult following among ‘cocktail cognoscenti’. When The Bar at The Dorchester re-launched, the cocktail list included the Martinez, a precursor to the modern martini. In order to follow the original recipe The Bar commissioned an Old Tom Gin that has been made to a special recipe exclusively for the hotel and also included a bespoke Bokers Bitters. The Martinez quickly became one of the most popular drinks served in The Bar.
The Award-Winning Team at The Bar at The Dorchester
Giuliano Morandin has been the Bar Manager for nearly 30 years and is something of a legend amongst the world’s drink connoisseurs. He was recently named Bar Manager of the Year in the Class Bar Awards (the bar industry's main trade title in the UK). He was also chosen by Tanqueray as one of 10 leading bartenders around the world to feature in a new campaign to promote Tanqueray 10 in June 2008. In February 2009 he was named the best barman in London by Travel + Leisure in their selection of the best barmen in the world, an accolade cemented by London’s Evening Standard newspaper.
Such is the respect and camaraderie of Giuliano and his team that the combined years they have all worked together exceeds 100 years. They have scooped countless awards, proving that The Bar at The Dorchester is run by the best in the industry.
Senior bartender, Stefano Cossio, was crowned National Champion at the UK Bartenders’ Guild 2010 Akvinta Grand Prix and will be heading to Singapore for the World Championships in November. He also won the title of ‘Best Bartender’ in The Imbibe Bartender of the Year Awards 2009 and was named European Cocktail Champion 2009 in the Calvados Cocktail Competition. Bartender Bruno do Nascimento recently won The Galvin Cup 2010 in their prestigious Cocktail Competition.
Cocktail Master Classes
Due to popular demand Giuliano and his team also offer private and bespoke cocktail ‘master classes’ which can be booked for individuals or private parties of up to ten guests subject to availability. Please call + 44 20 7629 8888 and ask for Restaurants at The Dorchester or email restaurants.uk@dorchestercollection.com for further information and to discuss availability.”
For further information on The Dorchester, please contact:
Rosanna Crawley
Head of Communications
Park Lane, London, W1K 1QA
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7319 7062
rcrawley@thedorchester.com
www.thedorchester.com
www.dorchestercollection.com
Dorchester Collection
The Dorchester Collection is the successor to the Dorchester Group, originally established in 1996 to manage a portfolio of some of the world’s foremost luxury hotels in Europe and the USA.
The current portfolio is managed by Dorchester Collection:
The Dorchester in London
The Beverly Hills Hotel in Beverly Hills
Le Meurice in Paris
Hotel Plaza Athénée in Paris
Hotel Principe di Savoia in Milan
The New York Palace in New York
Hotel Bel-Air in Los Angeles
Opening 2010
Coworth Park, Ascot, UK
45 Park Lane, London
