Okay fam, story time. (Long post) I know for certain I’m not alone when I say that during the height of the pandemic I felt a big sense of loss. I felt like everything I had worked for about 9 years was toast. Gone in a flash. I opened Parm Boyz as a restaurant in hopes that I could turn some of those nightmares into some dreams come true. Instead, I was met with an even heavier dose of reality. The days and nights were lonely. Sitting in the darkness with only the light of my laptop to save on the power bill, waiting or maybe praying that a few more to go orders would come in. It was depressing. To go all-in with your back against the wall with bills and loans and everything else that life was throwing at you was an insane gamble. And to not have it work out was even more heartbreaking. I decided to close the restaurant. Two weeks later, the Maybourne Beverly Hills Hotel called me back and brought me in for an interview. My first in about five years. I toured the property, had a nice chat with the GM and F&B Director, and after a tasting, was hired on to be their Head Mixologist for the hotel. There’s a saying in the industry that I find to be very polarizing. I’ve heard several colleagues refer to our jobs as “we’re not saving lives; we’re just making cocktails”. While I believe there is a version of truth to that statement, I can wholeheartedly say that I disagree. In my darkest moments, I am made whole again by the opportunity to create menus and cocktails that allow me to share a bit of myself. Being vulnerable, sharing stories, and reconnecting with nostalgic memories of times gone by is what makes food & beverage creation beautiful. Making cocktails, literally, saved my life. That is not hyperbole. I’m proud, delighted, and blessed to be able to share with you our brand new cocktail menu at the Maybourne Bar: Elemental. Working with @dirty_eraser, @tinamross, and the creative team at @themaybournebh was nothing short of amazing. There are beautiful things in this industry. And what we do IS IMPORTANT. Especially when it’s together. I hope that this can be a reminder of that when times are tough. Much Love ❤️ CA