Federico Balzarini has been appointed as Beverage Manager at Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong

Growing up in Lake Garda in Northern Italy, Federico cut his teeth in bartending at the age of 17 when he started working casually at a local bar and instantly fell in love with cocktail-making. An absolute beginner then, he was lucky enough to be given the opportunity to experiment with different flavours and ingredients while on the job and learn everything he could.

Soon after, he joined another local cocktail bar where he spent a few years perfecting the basics of classic cocktails, the essential skills of bar-backing and serving. He eventually moved to London to pursue another opportunity at Hubbard & Bell (now closed), where he stayed for two years and got to work with a team of people hungry for personal and professional growth with whom some solid friendships were established.

American Bar at The Savoy is among the most impactful moves in his bartending career. Not only did he work alongside some industry icons such as Declan McGurk, Erik Lorincz, Lorenzo Antinori and Martin Hudak, he also learned the art of five-star hospitality. Federico was also part of the award-winning team that came first in The World's 50 Best Bars in 2017; attained multiple accolades in Spirited Awards in 2018, and won Legend of the List in 2019.

Federico arrived in Asia when he joined the award-winning bar Vesper, in Bangkok in 2021. There, he explored the Asian cocktail cultures that he described as "the next level" while he experienced cultures, food, drinks and spiritual energy that were completely different from where he has always been comfortable to be.

Now appointed Beverage Manager at Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong, Federico is as excited to explore the city and meet new people as he joins one of the most renowned hospitality teams and be part of the Four Seasons family.