Flavours That Stay in Your Memory
118 ǀ POSITIV MAN
Flavours
That Stay in Your Memory
Honza Vu and Ronald Marshall are two standout personalies in the Czech bar scene. One found
inspiraon in the cocktail bars of Amsterdam and London, while the other fell in love with the bar
world from an early age. Today, they combine their experience and eye for detail in a joint cocktail
catering project that blends tradion with innovaon.
Everyone has a different approach when it comes
to cocktails – some honour tradition, others seek
new paths. What is your approach to bartending?
In the cocktail world, we encounter two distinct
approaches. On one side, there are those who honour
tradition and history, telling stories through time-tested
recipes and focusing on authentic ingredients. On the
other, there are bold innovators who experiment with
new flavours and techniques, pushing the boundaries
of classic bartending.
These two approaches complement each other
and create space for creativity. By combining traditional
values with modern trends, we craft unique experiences
that appeal to a diverse audience and bring a new
dimension to the cocktail world. We draw inspiration
from these differing perspectives to create cocktails
that connect the past with the present.
How did you get into your profession? Was it by
chance, a hobby, or driven by a specific passion?
Ronald: My first encounter with bartending came
through working at my mum’s nightclub, where
I fell in love with the atmosphere behind the bar.
That experience motivated me to study hospitality
and tourism, with a clear focus on cocktails from
the very beginning. Later, I gained experience working
in prestigious venues in Prague and abroad, and serving
as a brand ambassador for a distillery in Moravia,
where I was involved in product development. These
roles enriched me with valuable knowledge and skills.
Although I’d collected a wealth of experience, I missed
the bar – and the magic that comes with it. A fateful
meeting with Honza gave me the chance to return
to mixing drinks, at least occasionally, in his bar,
PONTIS. From there, our shared efforts led to the idea
of starting a joint venture in cocktail catering.
Honza: For me, this “love story” began while I was
living in Amsterdam. I fell in love with the local bar scene
and the concept of specialised cocktail bars. Until then,
I’d had no experience in gastronomy, but I dreamed
of opening my own bar one day. That vision shaped
every step I took from then on. I completed a bartending
course, and after moving to London, I began working in a
coffee shop to learn how to make coffee professionally.
Then I started as a barback and gradually worked
my way through all the positions in various London
bars, eventually becoming an F&B manager. After that,
I decided to return to Ostrava and open PONTIS Bar
– where I met Ron, and together we started to explore
the idea of cocktail catering.
What brings you the most joy – creativity, connection
with people, or the evening atmosphere?
What brings us the greatest joy is the combination
of creativity, human connection, and the sophisticated
atmosphere of evening events. Each cocktail offers
an opportunity to express our imagination and artistic
flair, while engaging with guests creates unforgettable
moments. The energy behind the bar – vibrant and full
of anticipation – gives our craft a special meaning
and a deep sense of fulfilment.
Where do you find inspiration for new cocktails?
Do you follow trends, or do you rely more
on intuition and a desire to experiment?
We draw inspiration from many directions. While we do
keep an eye on current trends – which is, of course,
important – we often follow our intuition, a taste for
experimentation, and the rhythm of the seasons. New
ideas often emerge from specific moments – tailored
to the occasion for which the cocktail is being created.
Many concepts are born from discovering new
ingredients, flavour pairings, or through visits to other
bars. We always keep an open mind and try to blend
different influences, which allows us to create
innovative and intriguing cocktails. Art is another great
source of inspiration, and often, it’s enough to simply
observe the world around us with open eyes. A valuable
resource are also our libraries – Honza’s at the PONTIS
bar, and mine at home.
I’d had no experience in gastronomy,
but I dreamed of opening
my own bar one day.