Mixologist to the stars sails in to serve Derby diners
A COCKTAIL maestro who served celebrities on board luxury cruise ships is hoping to shake things up at a popular Derby gastropub.
Paul Goodwin spent eight years working on one of the four Disney cruise ships which sail around the world before swapping Mickey Mouse for millionaires when he joined Seattle-based Seabourn.
Boasting an impressive fleet of ultra-luxury vessels which sail to the world’s most desirable destinations, Paul visited 85 countries during his time at sea and rubbed shoulders with Formula One racing drivers, pop stars and sports personalities.
Now Paul has been appointed bar manager at House of Darwin, in Shelton Lock, after he was made redundant during lockdown – and the 39-year-old is keen to share his expertise with the people of Derby.
Paul said: “I just love making drinks for people, experimenting with different flavours and infusions to create something totally new.
“It’s my passion and I am looking
forward to sharing that with the talented staff we currently have here at House of Darwin.”
Paul has plans as grand as the yachts he used to work on for House of Darwin. The pub has started serving breakfast – available to eat in or take out – which has effectively saved two jobs after bars were given a 10pm curfew by the Government.
“We have been working on cocktails and smoothies which complement our breakfast menu and there is a trend for non-alcoholic cocktails right now – think alcoholfree amaretto and absinthe.
“Our espresso martinis sell well, whilst gin is still extremely popular. We have more than 60 gins here at House of Darwin and a Whitley’s rhubarb and ginger, served with a ginger ale, always goes down a treat. The warming undertones are perfect for this time of year.”
Paul speaks fondly of his time at sea which, as well as wining and dining celebrities, saw him experience body boarding in Bora Bora and come within a whisker of gun-wielding Somalian pirates.
“Working on the super yachts was a great job but I worked long hours – up to 95 hours a week, seven days a week,” he said.
“The countries we visited included Japan, Asia and South America but, most of the time, the crew would be too tired to leave the ships. I made an exception for Bora Bora, though. It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and I chose to spend my free time body boarding in the Pacific Ocean and sleeping on the beach before heading back to the ship.”
Paul’s first few weeks at House of Darwin haven’t been quite so exciting, although it has been a challenging year for the restaurant industry.
“I’m very grateful to House of Darwin for taking me on after I was made redundant during lockdown,” said Paul.
“The menu at House of Darwin is on par with some of the restaurants I worked in on the cruise ships and I’m excited about working on a 12 Drinks of Christmas cocktail tasting menu with the staff here.
“I hope that I can share my passion and knowledge with House of Darwin and to move their already impressive cocktail menu forward.”