My youth and beginnings in the bar scene
You can imagine my childhood like from a classic Italian movie: A little boy growing up in the middle of Rome, getting a guitar with 13 years that he became obsessed with and helping out his mother who owned a fish stand on the market. After two summers, I got fired by her and I started in a classic bar on the Via Serpenti. There, with the age of 14, I learned a lot for the future: working full time, earning 25€ for making 250 Capuchini a day, being disciplined, showing up on time… these are the moments in life that make you strong and gift you with an important social and professional basis.
“During competitions you become the best possible version of yourself“
Massimo Zitti
When I turned 15, my boss put me to work with Aperitivo, which of course was barely legal. But like this I got to know about Martini Rosso, Campari, Apérol Spritz… and although there was not much art in these drinks, I pretty much quickly learned about the most important ingredient: Making my guests feel special, paying attention to them and value them. This is when I learned the concept of hospitality – just as I love and live it today. The real literal art about crafting cocktails came later.
