Paulina Bastian is decidedly happy to have arrived in bar culture. "In my family, everyone is super creative. Be it of a musical or craft nature. I have been looking for my creativity for a long time. Now I have discovered it for myself." The award for Best Barkeeper Talent at the SWISS BAR AWARDS 2021 confirms her discovery.
"The joy about the award is still unbelievable. It is wonderful to have the trophy at home," says Paulina Bastian, whose three brothers and parents, who live in the Black Forest, share the huge joy. In her training as a restaurant manager, Paulina Bastian also completed a qualification in bar management and realised: "This is what I want."
Since 2019, the Black Forest native from the small village called Herzogsweiler near Freudenstadt has been living in Zurich with her boyfriend. In her free time, she likes to read a lot, enjoys good food and the advantages of country life: "It's beautiful here. We live a little outside of Zurich, where I find the peace and quiet I'm used to at home and at the same time I can get to the city quickly."
From Züriberg to the Canapé Bar in Kreis 4
For the time being, the award will remain at home in Zurich. Until recently, the long-time hobby horse rider worked as a barkeeper in the bar of the Dolder Grand Hotel. There she was able to live out her creativity not only behind, but also in front of and next to the bar.
Not only the play with partly contrasting aromas and tastes, such as sweet and salty or the creation of cocktails, but also dealing with the most diverse, sometimes even whimsical guests was incredibly fun for the 22-year-old.
She especially loves indecisive guests: "If I hit the nerve of the guest with a cocktail creation based on a basic spirit and flavour and make him happy, that makes me happy too. The neo-Zurich native has certainly struck a chord with the jury team.
Tastefully with their "Under the red hood" cocktail with tart Appenzeller Alpenbitter, a savoury tomato spirit and sweet cocoa bean juice, provided with Mediterranean Fever Tree Tonic and Espuma made from Belsazar Vermouth infused with dill and coriander.
SWISS BAR AWARDS 2021 - Only the 2nd Competition of the ambitious talent
In future, you will meet Paulina Bastian as deputy manager at Zurich's Canapé Bar at Brauerstrasse 80. From now on, she will mainly serve sparkling wines and devote herself to sparkling wine cocktails and new creations in the small, owner-managed bar with a French orientation.
At the beginning of September, the young barkeeper talent already had her first foreign assignment for 7 Seals Whisky at the Liquid Market in Vienna. After the World Class Competition in February this year, where she finished in the top 10 in Switzerland, the SWISS BAR AWARDS were only her second competition in her short career. Do you fancy more? "Yes, but let's see what time brings," she says.
"The joy of the award is still unbelievable. It's wonderful to have the trophy in my home."
Paulina Bastian, Best Barkeeper Talent 2021
For the time being, Paulina Bastian, who prefers to drink Gin Basil Smash, is throwing herself into her new challenge of French bar culture. In the distant future, perhaps in her own establishment with an all-day concept. Or perhaps in the race for the title Barkeeper of the year at the 20th anniversary of the SWISS BAR AWARDS 2022?
This article appeared in
Issue 5-2021
BAR NEWS magazine as single issue
