Castle Life

At Château de Maubreuil, Alexis, the Head Barman at the Le Zélélé bar, is revolutionising the art of mixology with a skilful blend of creativity and precision. His atypical career path, from mechanical engineering to mixology, bears witness to his burning passion for creating unique cocktails and his ability to transform every detail into an unforgettable sensory experience.

Meet Alexis, Head Barman.

Initially trained in mechanical engineering, Alexis made a remarkable career change by becoming a barman after obtaining a vocational qualification certificate at Atomic's Café in Nantes, thanks to Henriman Formation. He enthusiastically explains his career transition: "I started out as an apprentice engineer, but my real passion lay elsewhere". His career has taken him from bars in Nantes to Michelin-starred hotels in Méribel and Saint-Tropez, enriching his skills in mixology and sommellerie. He also worked as a commis de salle at L'Épicurien in Abbaye de Villeneuve, before joining Château de Maubreuil on 1 April, following a chance meeting with Kleven Chauvet, the former head barman at Le Zélélé.

Alexis is the embodiment of a passion for cocktails, combining revisited classics with innovations. "What I'm passionate about is discovering new products, finding nuggets and putting them together to create unique cocktails that surprise our guests," he says. His dedication to creating personalised experiences is evident in the smiles and satisfaction of the guests who are delighted to discover his made-to-measure cocktails. "The way customers respond to my personalised creations is incredibly motivating. I love sharing my passion for mixology while offering a unique moment to each visitor," confides Alexis.

His commitment and impeccable punctuality have led to some funny situations: "I've changed my clothes while driving to get to the Château on time," he says with a broad smile. His determination and humour make Alexis a pleasure to work with. Apart from these qualities, Alexis is passionate about kayak-polo, a discipline he has been practising for over ten years and which, along with music and drawing, stimulates his creativity, an essential asset in his job. "These passions fuel my creativity and my desire always to innovate and surprise at the bar. As Voltaire put it in Zadig ou la Destinée: "Passions are the winds that fill the sails of a ship, they sometimes overwhelm it, but without them it could not sail."" he adds.

Having fallen under the spell of the magnificent Le Zélélé bar at Château de Maubreuil, Alexis is in awe of the exceptional quality of the products and the bar's elegant atmosphere, making his workplace a haven of creativity and fulfilment. The opportunity to take part in international bartending competitions also excites him: "I'm excited by the idea of taking part in international bar competitions that could further elevate my art of mixology," he confides. Mixology competitions are his favourite playground, following his selection for the national finals of the Giffard West Cup. Alexis will be in Paris on 1 July 2024: "It's a competition organised by the Giffard brand from Angers on the theme of work-life balance: 'The Art of Balance', like my astrological sign!".

With indomitable passion and unwavering commitment, Alexis continually enriches the experience of our bar's customers, elevating the establishment to a must-visit destination for lovers of fine cocktails. His innovative approach to mixology, combined with his love of genuine interaction, plays a crucial role in the bar's success. In this environment, which combines elegance and tradition, Alexis not only finds a space in which to practise his art, but also a constant source of inspiration that pushes him to push back the boundaries of creativity and excellence. Thanks to his hard work and determination, he continues to charm customers and propel his career to ever greater heights.