Behind the Blend: Meet Emanuele
What is your name and job role, and what do you do?
Emanuele Baldini, Quality Assurance Manager. My main job is to ensure all the safety and quality systems are in place so we can produce a safer product with the highest quality.
A little bit about your background – how did you get into this role?
My passion for food and drink started before I can even remember, I was just too young to know it! I spent my summers in Italy at my grandma’s house, picking tomatoes, olives, peaches, and cherries from her garden. I have an MSc in Food Science and my experience spans from tobacco (yes, I worked for a cigar company in Tuscany) to antipasti, chilled and frozen goods for major UK retailers, and of course, drinks.
What’s your ultimate bar snack and cocktail pairing?
Olives, olives, and more olives. Try olives with tequila and you’ll never go back to salt and lemon, trust me.
The most unexpected part of your job that people wouldn’t guess?
My work is constantly checked and reviewed by external auditors. It can be stressful, especially when the visit is unannounced, but it pushes me to always do better.
If you could only drink one type of cocktail for the rest of your life, what would it be?
As an Italian, I can’t lie – I’m a heavy Negroni drinker, hehe
What is your favourite Blend and why? Or what drink would you serve to impress a customer?
Our Peach and Apricot Blend is incredibly versatile. It works for every moment, whether it’s a special breakfast with friends as a Peach Bellini, or a late-night drink like a Peach and Apricot Margarita. Perfect for impressing anyone!
What’s the most memorable cocktail experience you’ve ever had – at a bar, an event, or anywhere else?
If I remember it, it must have been special – right? Joking aside, it was probably my wedding anniversary dinner at Brown’s Hotel, at Charlie’s, where I had cocktails made directly from the Donovan Bar (one of the top 100 bars in the world). Their Coffee Negroni was outstanding.
Written by Emanuele - Quality Assurance Manager