Head- Innovation & operations (Beverage) at Gourmet Investments Pvt. Ltd

Varun Sudhakar, a name prominent in mixology, has won the national Diageo Reserve World Class Competition twice in a row to be awarded as ‘India’s Best Bartender’ in 2013 and 2014. Varun’s journey began on a very simple note, a college bet with his best friends led him to learn Flair Bartending! What began as a joyous bet has led mixologist Varun to find his passion and make a career of bartending with professional training in all aspects of the bar.

Varun graduated from the Institute of Hotel Management and Catering Technology, Kerala with a WSET Level 2 certification in spirits by the Diageo Bar Academy and recently acquired another WSET Level 2 in wines. He then went on to become the Brand Ambassador for Diageo and has since acquired over eleven years of experience as a professional mixologist in leading luxury hotels.

When we ask Varun what the best part of being a mixologist is, he reminisces to where his journey began with the reason he got into this profession – being able to meet people who eventually turn into friends and patrons of the bars he works at. He loves experimenting with interesting ingredients and new techniques to concoct innovative cocktails. His aim is to teach and inspire new bartenders and help them find their passion in mixology just the way he did.

Varun Sudhakar now serves as the Head of  Innovation & Operation (Beverage) for Gourmet Investments Private Limited and has been working with the company for a little over the last 2 and a half years. As the Head, Varun is deeply involved in developing the beverage component for new brand launches under the banner of Gourmet Investments. He also trains bartenders to deliver world class drinks at Ministry of Crab, The Project Series by PizzaExpress, Typhoon Shelter, Pizza Express and very soon with Chili’s American Bar & Grill’s.(West & South)

Varun’s remarkable learning curve from a flair bartender to become one of Mumbai’s finest mixologists having represented the country at Diageo Reserve World Class Competition Finals.

He got the opportunity to judge the National finals of Diageo Reserve World Class while working with GIPL. He is also a founding member of IFBA ( Indian Flair Bartenders Association) which works to promote and develop good flair bartending skills in India. He attributes his success to his passion to constantly learn and innovate. It is perhaps this ethos that is the secret to the latest addition to his accolades, Varun has won the Teacher’s Glasses Best Bartender in India (2019) award by 30 best bars India 2019, representing The Runway Project by Pizza Express.

One of his bars have been recently featured in 50 Best Discovery by The Worlds 50 Best.(Typhoon Shelter).