The famed London hotel bar, which is the reigning champion of The World’s 50 Best Bars and has an illustrious history stretching back almost 130 years, has spent more than three months searching for its next head bartender following the departure of Erik Lorincz, who was with the bar since 2010.
Schulte, who previously worked at The Ritz Carlton in Macau, joins the American Bar on August 20th to head up a team that includes senior bartenders Pippa Guy and Dominic Whisson. He will work alongside bar manager Declan McGurk who lead the recruitment proccess.
German born, 29-year-old Schulte started his career in Hamburg before heading to China to work for the JW Marriot Hotel in Hong Kong. Since then, he has headed up teams in Bangkok and Saudi Arabia before being appointed head bartender at The Ritz Carlton S.A.R Macau, which finished 48th in Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2018, breaking new ground for Macau and Marriott International.
A skilled drinksmith, Schulte has won recognition for his cocktails in competitions, becoming the Beefeater MIXLDN7 global champion earlier this year.
Schulte will begin his tenure with a three-week induction at the American Bar before turning his attentions to the planning of the 2019 menu.
McGurk said of the appointment: "I am so thrilled to welcome Maxim Schulte into both the American Bar and Savoy family. The task of filling the role of head bartender is one that I took on with great seriousness and feel that Maxim appeals uniquely to a high number of requirements. I look forward to seeing his creativity in action and most importantly enjoying time with our guests and inspiring our teams. Good Luck Maxim and thank you to the American Bar team for setting him up for such a great start."
Schulte added: “Becoming the head bartender of the American Bar fills me with much pride and honor. The bar has so much history and has contributed to most bar movements around the planet. The position obviously comes with a high status in the bar world, but what most thrills me is to be part of such an excellent team and one that has achieved so much over the years both in the American Bar and in The Savoy. It will be an amazing experience with much to learn and much to do! I am really looking forward to the challenges ahead and am bursting with anticipation.”
Schulte follows in the footsteps of some of the most famous names in bartending. Ada Coleman, Harry Craddock and Peter Dorelli have all worked at the Savoy's American Bar.
