In this special Athens Bar Show Edition of LUCA, THE PODCAST, Luca Missaglia sits down with Chiara Buzzi to talk about hospitality beyond trends, ego, and performance.
Chiara reflects on her journey running bars in Milan, developing cultural and educational projects, and navigating leadership, burnout, and responsibility in a constantly changing industry. She speaks openly about why hospitality is not about fame or cocktails — but about people, presence, and care.
Topics include:
– The difference between service and real hospitality
– Leadership and responsibility toward young teams
– Why education is still missing in our industry
– Burnout, balance, and learning to say no
– What it truly means to host people today
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📍 Recorded at the Athens Bar Show
🙏 With special thanks to Athens Bar Show
🎙️ Podcast supported by The Art of Shaking
👉 https://theartofshaking.com/
🍊 In partnership with Amaro Santoni
👉 https://amarosantoni.com/en/prodotto/amaro-santoni/
📩 Contact: lucathepodcast@gmail.com
📲 Instagram: https://instagram.com/lucathepodcast
📺 Watch on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@lucathepodcast
Recorded at the Athens Bar Show, this episode features Georgia Georgakopoulou, whose journey from a small town in Peloponnese to leading one of the world’s most recognized bar teams is nothing short of inspiring.
Georgia shares her grounded and refreshing perspective on hospitality:
– Why humility is her greatest tool behind the bar.
– How The Clumsies shaped her leadership and identity.
– Why “people serving people” is the real essence of hospitality.
– What Greece is missing — and what’s about to change.
– Her dream of creating impact through mentorship and education.
An episode filled with honesty, clarity, and heart.
🙏 Special thanks to the Athens Bar Show for making this conversation possible.
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📍 Recorded at the Athens Bar Show
🎙️ Supported by The Art of Shaking → https://theartofshaking.com/
🍊 Powered by Amaro Santoni → https://amarosantoni.com/en/prodotto/amaro-santoni/
📩 Contact: lucathepodcast@gmail.com
📲 Instagram: https://instagram.com/lucathepodcast
📺 Watch on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@lucathepodcast
In this Athens Bar Show special, LUCA, THE PODCAST sits down with Bex Almqvist — a bartender turned brand ambassador turned distiller, whose journey embodies passion, humility, and the courage to rebuild a dream from scratch.
Bex shares her incredible story:
– Growing up in the UK cocktail scene at The Lonsdale
– The mentors who shaped her path and pushed her forward
– Competing, learning, and becoming a voice in the industry
– Burnout, four years living in the mountains, and finding herself again
– Building a distillery with her own hands, guided by balance, texture, and purpose
– What the industry needs next — and how education must evolve
A story about obsession, resilience, and the beauty of starting over.
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📍 Recorded at the Athens Bar Show
🎙️ Sponsored by The Art of Shaking → https://theartofshaking.com/
🍊 In partnership with Amaro Santoni → https://amarosantoni.com/en/prodotto/amaro-santoni/
📩 Contact: lucathepodcast@gmail.com
📲 Instagram: https://instagram.com/lucathepodcast
📺 Watch on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@lucathepodcast
Recorded at the Athens Bar Show, this episode of LUCA, THE PODCAST dives into the mind of Arina Nikolskaya, a linguist-turned-industry leader who reshaped how bar communities connect and evolve.
Arina shares how she went from an accidental job interview to running her own bar show, why communication matters more than technique, and what most people misunderstand about hospitality and creativity.
A sharp, inspiring look into culture, leadership, and building something bigger than yourself.
📍 Recorded at the Athens Bar Show
📩 Contact: lucathepodcast@gmail.com
📲 Instagram: https://instagram.com/lucathepodcast
📺 Watch on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@lucathepodcast
From barista to brand ambassador to bar owner, Ricardo Nava represents the new wave of Mexican hospitality. Known for his work at Limantour, his years leading education for Bacardí Latin America, and now as co-creator of Bar Mauro, Ricardo brings authenticity, family values, and purpose to every step of his career.
Recorded in Mexico City, this episode of LUCA, THE PODCAST explores:
– How Limantour shaped his identity as a bartender
– What winning World Class Mexico meant for his life
– The birth of Bar Mauro and the meaning behind its DNA
– The importance of community, mentorship, and humility
– His advice for young bartenders chasing a dream
📍 Recorded in Mexico City
📩 Contact: lucathepodcast@gmail.com
📲 Instagram: https://instagram.com/lucathepodcast
📺 Watch on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@lucathepodcast
From a Kurdish refugee family in Sweden to opening one of New York’s most talked-about bars, Moe Aljaff has turned rebellion into art. Founder of the Schmuck brand, Moe shares his story of persistence, independence, and building something from nothing — by doing it all his own way.
🎙 In this episode of LUCA, THE PODCAST, recorded in New York City, Moe talks about:
– How growing up as a refugee shaped his creative mindset
– The rise of Two Schmucks and what it taught him about identity
– The decision to bring his brand to New York
– His leadership philosophy and approach to chaos
– Why authenticity beats perfection — every time
📍 Recorded in New York City
📩 Contact: lucathepodcast@gmail.com
📲 Instagram: @lucathepodcast
📺 Watch on YouTube: LUCA, THE PODCAST
From Como to Barcelona, from fixing engines to designing the world’s most awarded bars, Simone Caporale has built a career defined by precision, creativity, and passion. Co-founder of SIPS — World’s Best Bar 2023 — and former head bartender at The Artesian, Simone redefines what hospitality can be when design meets emotion.
🎙 In this episode of LUCA, THE PODCAST, recorded in Barcelona, Simone shares:
– How he found his calling behind the bar
– The creative mindset behind The Artesian and SIPS
– The balance between artistry and discipline
– His advice for young bartenders entering the new era of hospitality
📍 Recorded in Barcelona
📩 Contact: lucathepodcast@gmail.com
📲 Instagram: @lucathepodcast
📺 Watch on YouTube: LUCA, THE PODCAST
From shaping the gold standard of luxury service at The Connaught Bar in London to co-founding MWA in Mexico City, Maura Lawrence Milia is leading a new era of hospitality built on authenticity, creativity, and purpose.
🎙 In this episode of LUCA, THE PODCAST, recorded in Mexico City, Maura shares:
– How she left one of the world’s best bars to start fresh in Mexico
– The vision behind MWA and its venues Outline, Café Arigie, and Copal
– Why she believes Mexico is “on fire” with creative energy
– Her philosophy on mentorship, consistency, and building legacy
– What’s next for her and her growing hospitality family
📍 Recorded in Mexico City
📩 Contact: lucathepodcast@gmail.com
📲 Instagram: @lucathepodcast
📺 Watch on YouTube: LUCA, THE PODCAST
From a childhood in Hawaii to becoming one of the most respected voices in modern mixology, Julie Reiner has transformed hospitality in New York City and beyond. Founder of Clover Club, Leyenda, and Milady’s, she built her reputation on mentorship, creativity, and consistency.
🎙 In this episode of LUCA, THE PODCAST, recorded in New York City, Julie shares:
– How she pioneered the craft-cocktail movement in NYC
– Why mentorship is the key to lasting success
– The stories behind her most iconic cocktails
– Her experience judging Netflix’s Drink Masters
– What balance and purpose mean after three decades in the industry
📍 Recorded in New York City
📩 Contact: lucathepodcast@gmail.com
📲 Instagram: @lucathepodcast
📺 Watch on YouTube: LUCA, THE PODCAST
From Marina di Carrara to the top of the cocktail world, Giacomo Giannotti’s story is built on family values, creativity, and hard work. Founder of Paradiso, the #1 Bar in the World, Giacomo opens up about his roots, his process of innovation, and his ongoing mission to create not just cocktails—but meaningful experiences.
🎙 In this episode of LUCA, THE PODCAST, recorded in Barcelona, Giacomo talks about:
– The family origins that shaped his passion for hospitality
– The creation of Paradiso and how he built its identity
– The power of creativity through the Paradiso Lab
– His views on sustainability and human responsibility in bars
– What’s next for him and the future of Paradiso
📍 Recorded at the Miiro Borneta Hotel, Barcelona
📩 Contact: lucathepodcast@gmail.com
📲 Instagram: @lucathepodcast
📺 Watch on YouTube: LUCA, THE PODCAST
From Marine Corps discipline to managing some of the busiest and most influential cocktail bars in the world, Steve Schneider has built a career defined by passion, toughness, and relentless drive.
🎙 In this episode of LUCA, THE PODCAST, recorded in NYC, Steve shares:
– His journey from military life to bartending
– Lessons learned at Employees Only and how it shaped his leadership
– The challenges and rewards of opening bars in multiple countries
– His philosophy on legacy, mentorship, and what keeps him inspired
📍 Recorded in New York City
📩 Contact: lucathepodcast@gmail.com
📲 Instagram: @lucathepodcast
📺 Watch on YouTube: LUCA, THE PODCAST
From bartending in Canada to becoming one of the most respected voices in agave, Megs Miller has built a career defined by passion, purpose, and community. Now based in Mexico City, she leads projects like Salon de Agave and CATA Agave Bar, creating spaces that celebrate education, sustainability, and culture.
🎙 In this episode of LUCA, THE PODCAST, Megs talks about:
– Her first encounters with agave and her global bartending journey
– The creation of community bars like FAM and Salon de Agave
– Sustainability myths and truths in tequila & mezcal
– How living in Mexico shapes her vision and future projects
📍 Recorded in Mexico City
📩 Contact: lucathepodcast@gmail.com
📲 Instagram: @lucathepodcast
📺 Watch on YouTube: LUCA, THE PODCAST
From summer jobs in Costa Brava to co-founding Sips Barcelona, crowned Best Bar in the World, Marc Álvarez has built a career rooted in obsession, precision, and creativity.
🎙 In this episode of LUCA, THE PODCAST, Marc talks about:
– His first steps in hospitality and his “obsession” with bartending
– The challenges and lessons from years at elBarri
– The creation of Sips and the philosophy behind it
– His unique approach to flavor, texture, and memory in cocktails
– Mentorship, industry trends, and what excites him about the future
📩 Contact: lucathepodcast@gmail.com
📲 Instagram: @lucathepodcast
📺 Watch on YouTube: LUCA, THE PODCAST
🙏 Special thanks to Miiro Borneta Barcelona for supporting the podcast.
👉 Learn more about the hotel: www.miirohotels.com/hotel/miiro-borneta
👉 Follow and subscribe for new episodes every Sunday.
From a Fine Arts degree in acting to becoming a leading voice at New York’s legendary Employees Only, Matt Maretz embodies creativity and dedication in hospitality.
🎙 In this episode of LUCA, THE PODCAST, Matt talks about:
– His early inspirations and unexpected path into bartending
– What makes Employees Only such a special place
– How he approaches creativity and menu development
– His take on mental health, balance, and the future of bars
– Advice he’d give to his younger self
📩 Contact: lucathepodcast@gmail.com
📲 Instagram: @lucathepodcast
📺 Watch on YouTube: LUCA, THE PODCAST
From a career in journalism to co-founding Handshake Speakeasy, ranked the #1 Bar in the World (2024), Rodrigo Urraca shares the story of how a single handshake turned into a global success.
🎙 In this episode of LUCA, THE PODCAST, Rodrigo talks about:
– His roots in communication and transition into hospitality
– The birth of Handshake and the challenges along the way
– The weight of recognition and building a sustainable culture
– Why Mexico City is the perfect stage for innovation
– What’s next for him and his team
📩 Contact: lucathepodcast@gmail.com
📲 Instagram: @lucathepodcast
📺 Watch on YouTube: LUCA, THE PODCAST
From the world of fashion to co-founding Paradiso, ranked Best Bar in the World, Margarita Sader has built a career on creativity, perseverance, and purpose. In this episode, she shares her path from Venezuela to Barcelona, how she helped create one of the most celebrated bars globally, her work with MS BarTrends designing bespoke uniforms, and her mission to inspire more women to join and thrive in hospitality.
🙏 Special thanks to Miiro Borneta Barcelona for hosting LUCA, THE PODCAST.👉 Discover more about the hotel: www.miirohotels.com/hotel/miiro-borneta
📩 Contact: lucathepodcast@gmail.com
📲 Instagram: @lucathepodcast
📺 Watch on YouTube: LUCA, THE PODCAST
From the streets of Rome to the glamorous American Bar at the Savoy, Peter Dorelli redefined what it means to be a bartender. In this episode, Peter shares his early beginnings, decades of shaping the industry, his philosophy on hospitality, and why passion never retires.
📩 Contact: lucathepodcast@gmail.com
📲 Instagram: @lucathepodcast
📺 Watch on YouTube: LUCA, THE PODCAST
What does it mean to truly be independent in hospitality?
In this episode, I sit down with Danil Nevsky — the voice behind The Independent Bartender. From working for free across 11 countries during the Vagabond Project, to building platforms like Indie Bartender and the Cocktail Menu Archive, Danil shares a radical, unfiltered approach to legacy, freedom, and self-worth.
🎧 We talk about:
– The power of sacrifice and curiosity
– Building platforms that put bartenders first
– How branding, creativity, and consulting can stay honest
– What the future of hospitality could look like — if we take control
🧠 “You can do whatever the fuck you want. You’re literally just a ticket away.”
🎯 Check out Danil’s merch, mindset & more at
📩 Contact us → lucathepodcast@gmail.com
📺 Watch on YouTube → youtube.com/@lucathepodcast
📲 Follow us on Instagram → @lucathepodcast
From the Amalfi Coast to global acclaim, Salvatore Calabrese – known as The Maestro – shares the journey that shaped him into one of the most respected figures in the world of cocktails.
In this episode, Salvatore opens up about:
– His early days behind the bar in Italy
– The philosophy behind true hospitality
– How he built his legacy one guest at a time
– His vision for the next generation of bartenders
This is a masterclass in passion, precision, and presence — told by a living legend.
🎙 Hosted by Luca Missaglia
📅 New episodes every Sunday
📩 Get in touch: lucathepodcast@gmail.com
📺 Watch on YouTube: LUCA, THE PODCAST
📲 Follow us on Instagram: @lucathepodcast
Sandrae Lawrence is a storyteller, mentor, and advocate — and one of the most important voices in the drinks industry today.
In this episode of LUCA, THE PODCAST, she opens up about her journey from lifestyle journalism to launching The Cocktail Lovers, her mission to create space for others, and how legacy is built one conversation at a time.
We discuss:
• Storytelling in hospitality
• The power of building community
• Why mentorship matters
• How to grow in a competitive world — with grace
New episodes every Sunday.
Watch on YouTube → youtube.com/@lucathepodcast
Follow us on Instagram → @lucathepodcast