Mario Guzzetti - Chef de Bar
Chef de Bar, Gstaad Palace. Mario Guzzetti’s tip: When the Bar Manager is on his travels, he tends to frequent bars and restaurants with just as much history as his own bar. The Widder Bar in Zurich or the Leopard Bar in Geneva, for example. And he always favours a seat at the bar. “That way you can keep an eye on the action and get a proper feel for the place.”
Mario Guzzetti is the Bar Manager at the legendary Gstaad Palace. The Italian is just as passionate about football as he is about his work. “Although I come from Lombardy, I’m a Juventus supporter,” he says, before proceeding to gush about all the top players that have worn the famous black and white stripes of the Turin-based team. Cristiano Ronaldo, Andrea Pirlo, Zinedine Zidane, Michel Platini… In the Lobby Bar at the Gstaad Palace, where he has worked since 2005, Guzzetti has just as much swagger as any of those footballing stars. Every move is delivered to perfection and he doesn’t miss a beat.
In the spirit of true sportmanship, the suave gentleman in a sharp black suit is always ready to listen to his guests. Maybe that’s why his signature cocktail is aptly called the ‘Be Nice’. It’s a straightforward drink that somehow still packs a flavour punch. You can taste rose, violet, vanilla, orange peel and, of course, the refreshing floral bouquet of Hendrick’s Gin. At home in Italy, Guzzetti heads to the pitch himself every now and then. For a match with mates, that is. “If I could hand-pick my own team, Ronaldo and Pirlo would definitely be in the starting line-up. And Francesco Totti, even if he did play for AS Roma.”
“Be Nice”
The signature cocktail of the Gstaad Palace.
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Hendrick’s Gin
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Bols “Parfait Amour”
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Lemon juice
It’s a straightforward drink that somehow still packs a flavour punch. You can taste rose, violet, vanilla, orange peel and, of course, the refreshing floral bouquet of Hendrick’s Gin.
Words Alex Kuehn
Photo Nico Schaerer
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