Focus on Paola Mencarelli

This week, we talk with Paola Mencarelli, the creator of Florence Cocktail Week. Now in its sixth edition, it has put Florence on the map as a cocktail town. This year’s edition is from September 20-26, and Sharlafied will be there in person to cover the events!

My interview with Paola

Paola, how did you get the idea to start Florence Cocktail Week?

My friend Lorenzo Nigro, who managed a few cocktail bars in Florence, attended Paris Cocktail week and approached me to see if I was interested in doing something similar in Florence, our city. Since I have experience in organizing events, I agreed, and the story of Florence Cocktail Week (FCW) began. It was a challenge, because we had to adapt the format to a much smaller city than Paris, and the public was not used to the cocktail culture as they are in big cities like London, Paris and New York. I wanted to put the emphasis on culture over commerce, feeling that if people appreciate culture, commerce naturally follows. The first edition was a success and it has been growing year on year. Going forward, I now run the event solo, but could not pull it off without my brilliant team.

I understand you didn’t drink alcohol at all until you were in your late 20’s. What happened to spark your interest in this field?

I am a journalist, and I participated in a giornalist’s Masters program with Gambero Rosso (a well-known food and wine guide) where I had my first foray into wine, and at 35 I graduated to spirits. I’ve always enjoyed hotel cocktail bars, as I travel a lot; from the design point of view, the sense of hospitality and the creativity of the bartender . I am still a light drinker and very strict with my team . I don’t just write “drink responsibly”, I live it, and the whole team follows my lead.

How did you feel at the end of the first edition back in 2016?

Exhausted…. And elated. The event was a lot of work but I forged some friendships that get stronger every year. It is extremely rewarding from every point of view. It is a delicate balancing act to make sure everyone is represented to the right degree. Above all, we have to remain true to our mission: to spread the cocktail culture and the message to drink well, and responsibly.

How has Florence Cocktail Week evolved since the first one?

Our first edition in 2016 has 13 cocktail bars participating, now in our 6th edition we have 45 cocktail bars in Florence, from 20-26 and we are on our third edition of Tuscany Cocktail Week which is a week before Florence; 13-19 September. Our five original sponsors have remained with us and we have instituted another level of sponsorship called ‘Riesco a Bere Italiano’ where we help promote smaller Italian enterprises that we believe deserve special attention. Pizza with the spirits and Dining with the spirits are two initiatives that are not so much to do with food pairing, as the use of spirits in the preparation of food. With the vast variety of products on the market, the taste combinations are endless.

What’s new for this edition of FCW?

Every year we choose a theme and color scheme for the event, this year is International Blue Klein, a color created by Yves Klein a French artist from the 1960’s who offered a study of absolute colors. Coming out of this grey period in the world, we felt it needed a pop of color, so there will be a special focus by our bartenders too. Get ready for some creatively colored drinks this year! We are also excited to introduce our book Signature cocktails of Florence Cocktail Week: 5 years in 143 drinks. As in all our other editions, we have our bartenders competition. Masterclass topics include: no waste, a label dedicated to Freida Kahlo, how to attract an international audience, a new way to drink brandy, shake your grappa, tiki drinks, back to classics, and much more.

Is that why your hair is dyed blue?

I have always been adventurous with my hair color and it was natural to go all in with Blue Klein on my head as well! It’s better than any business card.

Paola and the whole team. Photo credit: Veronica Gaido

Can you give us a heads up on some Startenders that will be featured this year?

Monica Berg, Salvatore Calabrese, Simone Caporale, Eric Lorinz. there are 20 international bartenders coming over, and 50 “big” from Italy, not to mention our 9 “local heroes”.

Your next project is the first edition of Venice Cocktail Week from December 13-19, 2021…

That’s another story, it’s very exciting, because Venice has never had an event like this.

Well, Paola, that’s for another interview! Lots of luck to you and your staff. See you there!

Where you can find Paola and Florence Cocktail Week

Paola Mencarelli

Instagram: @paolamenca

Florence Cocktail Week

Instagram: @florencecocktailweek2021

Follow the hashtag: #florencecocktailweek

Website: florencecocktailweek.it

Venice Cocktail Week

Instagram: @venicecocktail_week

Focus on Paola Mencarelli

My interview with Paola

Five questions for Paola

Where you can find Paola and Florence Cocktail Week

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