Fay Baretto on Crafting Meaningful Cocktails and Shaping the Beverage Identity at Gigi Bandra

In Mumbai’s ever-evolving dining landscape, where bars are increasingly becoming storytelling spaces rather than just service counters, few beverage leaders bring as much narrative depth and operational clarity as Fay Baretto. As the Head of the beverage programme at Gigi Bandra, Fay Baretto approaches cocktails not merely as drinks, but as layered experiences shaped by memory, pop culture, and technical discipline. At Gigi Bandra, this philosophy has translated into a bar identity that feels thoughtful, contemporary, and deeply aligned with the restaurant’s creative vision.

Designing a Bar Identity Rooted in Storytelling

For Fay Baretto, the foundation of any strong bar programme begins with clarity of purpose. Before flavours, aesthetics, or menu design, Fay Baretto focuses on defining the kind of bar it is meant to be. “While designing a bar identity, we first need to understand what kind of bar it is: a mass market bar, a neighbourhood cocktail bar, a chef project bar, or a bar that focuses on theatrics,” says Baretto. This strategic approach ensures that creativity is guided by relevance rather than excess.

At Gigi Bandra, the beverage narrative reflects intelligent design and storytelling. The cocktail menu, titled Back to the Future, revisits original recipes and reinterprets them through a modern lens. “You will discover storytelling and intelligent thinking in terms of designing, like Gigi’s cocktail menu, called Back to the Future, where we have taken the original recipes and rotated them to be modern.” Japanese pop culture references and classic cocktail eras intersect across the menu, giving the programme a distinct personality that still aligns with the restaurant’s broader aesthetic.

Translating Memory and Emotion into Cocktails

A defining aspect of Baretto’s work is the ability to transform personal narratives into drinks that resonate with a diverse audience. At Gigi Bandra, cocktails often begin as emotional references, literary inspirations, or cinematic colour palettes. “Yes, most of the cocktails that I make are based on memory, emotions, references, storytelling,” notes Fay Baretto. One example is a cocktail inspired by Haruki Murakami, where the team engages guests in conversation about literature and context before presenting the drink.

Similarly, visual storytelling plays a key role. “For the Ghibli films and the colour schemes of the films, like in Spirited Away, we try to bring that out through our cocktails,” Baretto shares. This method allows guests at Gigi Bandra to connect with the drink beyond taste, engaging with it as a cultural and sensory experience.

Global Exposure and Its Influence on Indian Bar Culture

Having trained and worked across Turkey, Europe, and Canada, Fay Baretto brings an international perspective to India’s rapidly maturing bar scene. Travel, mentorship, and hands-on learning have all shaped this approach. “After studying and exploring as a travelling bartender, I decided to travel to multiple locations, meet people across the world and learn techniques and tricks from them to advance my skillset."

These experiences also revealed how progressive bar formats operate globally, where the bar itself becomes a centre of innovation and guest engagement. Reflecting on the Indian context, Baretto observes that the cocktail renaissance gained significant momentum around 2017. Since then, bars have become more serious about curation, technique, and guest interaction, bringing India closer to global standards.

Inclusivity, Education, and Industry Advocacy

Beyond menu design, Fay Baretto’s work extends into education, mentorship, and community building within hospitality. From bartender training initiatives to participation in global advocacy networks, the focus remains on meaningful contribution rather than visibility.

“For me, awards and recognition matter far less than doing meaningful work for the community.” Through initiatives such as training women and members of the LGBTQ+ community, Baretto has worked towards creating safer and more inclusive entry points into the hospitality industry.

Involvement with international platforms and projects centred on inclusion has further strengthened this vision. Continuous learning also remains central to the craft. “Continuous learning, travel, courses, and reading are fundamental to becoming better at the craft while also helping uplift others in the industry,” Fay Baretto adds.

The Evolving Indian Bar Landscape

The Indian bar industry has undergone significant cultural and operational shifts over the last decade, and Fay Baretto sees this evolution as both social and structural.“I feel that people are becoming more sensitive to others. There is more space for women and people from the community in the industry now than there was earlier."

However, challenges around work-life balance, long shifts, and operational stress still persist within hospitality. Looking ahead, Fay Baretto hopes to introduce initiatives that support bartenders through education, exchange programmes, and restorative learning experiences. At Gigi Bandra, this forward-thinking mindset is already visible in the way the beverage programme integrates creativity, discipline, and empathy.