The Philip Duff Show #127, Miguel Lancha, global beverage consultant, former head of beverage for Jose Andres Group
Aug 25, 2025
Miguel F. Lancha, global beverage consultant and former head of beverage for the José Andrés Group, shares his incredible journey from Spain and Venezuela to consulting in the U.S. He discusses the challenges of opening over 50 venues worldwide and the precision required for standardizing recipes. Miguel reflects on the evolution of bartending in the digital age, emphasizing the importance of personal hospitality over technical showmanship. He also introduces his firm, CORE Consulting, focusing on innovative beverage operations and thoughtful bar design.
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Building A Bar Scene In Punta Cana
- Miguel moved to the Dominican Republic to rewrite and run an all-inclusive beverage program for Meliá.
- He built the bar scene from scratch, sourcing equipment and training a large seasonal team.
Joining José Andrés' Team
- Miguel secured an O-1 visa with help from Steve Olson and then accepted a role with José Andrés after interviews and a family dinner.
- He almost declined but was convinced to join; the job proved extremely busy and formative.
Technique Must Serve Concept
- High-tech culinary techniques should serve conceptual, not showy, purposes in drinks.
- José Andrés favored simple, texturally precise cocktails rather than gadget-driven complexity for its own sake.
