Danesh Kadakol has always had a passion for both mixology and food, when combined with his ability to make conversation with anyone, his successful career in hospitality seems almost inevitable.
Kadakol holds a Bachelor degree in Hotel Management, and took a professional mixology course during his time at university. This sparked his interest in creating unique, innovative cocktail recipes, something he thoroughly enjoys.
“Creating and inventing new cocktails to launch is what could be described as an obsession.”
Kadakol’s four-course cocktail degustation menu, La Nouvelle Façon, won the Cocktail Innovation Award and was the runner-up in the People’s Choice Cocktail category at Wellington On a Plate in May.
He looks up to renowned chefs Heston Blumenthal and Grant Achatz for their innovative ways of viewing the hospitality industry and thinking outside the box to create unique experiences for guests. Kadakol takes pride in knowing his team provides excellent service for guests and is always looking for opportunities for staff to upskill and advance in their own careers.
“I always ask myself how I can make a difference as a front-line manager to truly enhance someone’s dining experience. My team and I offer a true sense of hospitality which is about an anticipation of guests’ needs before they even need to ask, and a warmth of service.”
Recently, Kadakol has been experimenting with molecular cocktails as they offer a wow factor that can’t easily be recreated at home and add to the unique experience the team at Oak & Vine work hard to ensure guests will enjoy.
The rise of local and boutique distilleries in New Zealand is something Kadakol is particularly excited about, Cardona and Reid + Reid gins feature extensively across the Oak & Vine cocktail offering. He is also enjoying seeing an increase in the use of local and unique ingredients to create infusions and syrups across the Wellington hospitality scene.
Kadakol loves his job, and the ability it gives him to connect with different people from all walks of life. His advice to people just starting out in the industry is to work hard, be creative and remember your work can, and will, leave an impact on others.
“You have the ability to make people smile and influence their life in a positive way.”
