We had the good fortune of connecting with Christian Delpech and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Christian, what’s one piece of conventional advice that you disagree with?
Fake it until you make it! I think people usually take that one to an extreme, and they put themselves in hard situations that lead to disappointment as a final result, and in many cases to a bad reputation in the industry. Easy example is to lie about your expertise behind the bar and called yourself an experienced bartender when you are not, that will shine right the way as soon as you make a beginner mistake, and from then on you’ll be on the spot light. Obviously you need to start somewhere, but honesty and work ethic will take you way farther in the long run. Don’t take short cuts, learn as you go in your league and slowly get out of the comfort zone gradually, study, learn, and challenge yourself, but don’t take on things you can’t deliver.
Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I take my competition career as a flair bartender separated from my bartending career, is like being a professional Tennis player and giving Tennis lessons too, even though is related the approach is different. To get to be a world champion it wasn’t easy, it happened because of the sacrificed and hard work, but it was way more difficult to maintain the level and keep winning world championships for 8 years. Once you are on top, all eyes are on you and you have to keep your focus and work harder and smarter to keep up with everyone that want to be in your position. I overcame these challenges by being focused, determined, and perseverant with my hard work, which many times includes sacrificing time with my family, friends, parties, etc. Nothing comes easy, if you don’t have that dedication and passion for what you do, you can’t get to the top. No shortcuts, no secrets.
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Well first, where I work, Bar Spanglish which is an amazing cocktail bar/restaurant with a great vibe, great cocktails, great food and outstanding service, this is an amazing concept created by the Cocktail Cartel boys, Hector Acevedo, Eddie Fuentes and Manny Picon. Everyone that comes to Miami will have some Cuban experience, and for that, there is not a better taste of Cuba than Cafe La Trova, from cantinero style, to food, and original cuban classic cocktails, and of course all this orchestrated by the host, second to none, Mr Julio Cabrera, best bartender of the year 2019 by Tales of the Cocktails. Another great cocktail bar going to the beach is Sweet Liberty, a great Cocktail bar with great food and service, award winner in Tales of the Cocktail, concept created by the one and only John Lermayer (RIP bro), he left a Legacy. Another great Cocktail bar/restaurant is Beaker & Gray, great concept, service and cocktails lead by Mr Ben Potts, you can go after visiting Bar Spanglish since is across the street. If you feel like dressing up and go to see the Mr James Bond of Miami bar scene Mr Valentino Longo, The Champagne bar is the spot, at the Four Seasons Surfside, it would be a great experience with amazing cocktails and a more chilled ambiance. If you are in Downtown or Midtown, don’t miss the opportunity to go to ESOTICO Miami, a very unique tiki concept created by Tiki master Mr Daniele Dallapola with the best tiki cocktails in town and great food options. And of course if you wanna experience a good hotel fun day, The Iconic Fontainebleau is the spot, where you can find amazing restaurants with different styles and the famous Bleau Bar (lobby bar), also at the pool you have the cabanas and great bars like Glow bar and La Cote (bar/restaurant) with great fun. You also have to visit Wynwood walls, super artistic/bohemian cool place and area.
Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
As for support in my Flair competition career, my friends and family. I looked up to successful athletes like Michael Jordan, Tiger Wood, Diego Maradona, Roger Federer; they have nothing to do with Flair Bartending but there is one thing they all have in common, Passion, dedication, determination, focus, and winner mentality. My motivation to start Flair was the movie “Cocktail” i know cliché haha. I started watching Flair bartender personalities like Alan Mays and Ken Hall and learn some things about competitions from them, but I wanted more, that’s why I looked up to those athletes Legends, and because of it I could take Flair, training to a different level and make my own path and style. I would talk breathe, dream and live Flair at all times. And when it comes to the cocktail world, Mr Francesco Lafranconi was my mentor, he made me understand and grow the passion even more for the hospitality industry. Of course there are many people that I’ve learn from, I wouldn’t have enough space to name them all.
Website: www.christiandelpech.com
Instagram: @christiandelpech_official
Linkedin: Christian Delpech
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/christian.delpech.official/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/christiandelpechofficial
Other: Tik Tok : @christian_delpech
Image Credits
For the picture with the jigger as a bowtie is credit to Anthony from @52Chefs