We’re shaking it up today with a panel of food and beverage experts from one of our favorite hotel brands, Belmond! Together we’ll explore the skill and hard work that goes into creating some of your favorite drinks – from the shorelines of Italy to the palaces of St. Petersburg.

Our guests today are:

Tommaso Mansi and Nikita Yurin. Tommaso is the head bar manager at the stunning Belmond Caruso hotel situated along the Amalfi Coast. He is also a local and an expert in lemon production, one of the key ingredients in any good cocktail in this region.

Nikita is the head vodka and caviar sommlier at Belmond’s luxurious hotel in St. Petersburg, Grand Hotel Europe – a spot which also boasts the oldest continually used restaurant in all of Russia.

What I love about this episode is hearing Nikita and Tommaso speak so passionately about their crafts. Imagine all that passion poured into something as simple as a drink or a set of caviar. To me it demonstrates another way that people in the hospitality industry show real love and caring for their guests.

Support the podcast by booking any of the luxury hotels HERE

Listen to hear:

• 04:31 – Why you should visit a Belmond Hotel
• 05:46 – What makes it stand out from the others
• 07:00 – Why these hotels are great for foodies
• 09:10 – About Tommaso’s signature drink
• 11:05 – How Nikita became a Caviar and Vodka Sommelier
• 14:42 – What the story behind the Aperitivo and its importance is
• 16:53 – How Vodka became such an important part of Russian culture
• 20:41 – Why sourcing ingredients locally makes a difference
• 22:37 – Where does their passion come from
• 24:12 – How they create amazing guest experiences
• 25:20 – What the new trends toward food and drinks are
• 26:09 – Why they hold dear memories of past guests
• 28:45 – About their favorite choices and experiences in hospitality
• 37:30 – What you will learn about the world and humanity after visiting a Belmond Hotel

Listener Exclusive Amenities

Grand Hotel Europe, A Belmond Hotel, St Petersburg:

Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability

Daily Full breakfast for two guests per bedroom

$100USD equivalent Food & Beverage credit utilized during stay (not combinable, not valid on room rate, no cash value if not redeemed in full)

Early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability

Complimentary Wi-Fi

A welcome aperitif and 10% discount for caviar sets

Caruso, A Belmond Hotel, Amalfi Coast:

Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability

Buffet breakfast daily for two guests per bedroom

$100 USD Equivalent Food & Beverage credit to be utilized during stay (not combinable, no cash value if not redeemed in full, to be utilized at the hotel restaurant for Lunch or Dinner)

Early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability

Complimentary Wi-Fi

A 10% discount on their welcome aperitif including a selection of handmade canapes of their Chef