A COCKTAIL maestro who served celebrities on board luxury multi-million pound super yachts 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 during peak season and have gourmet dining with panoramic views of the ocean, chic boutiques, serene spas and wellness centres – Paul visited 85 countries during his time at sea and rubbed shoulders with Formula One racing drivers, pop stars and sports personalities.
Paul Goodwin, the new bar manager at House of Darwin, has previously worked on super yachts serving celebrities and F1 stars.
Now, Paul has been appointed bar manager at House of Darwin, in Shelton Lock, who appointed him when he was made redundant during lockdown – and the 39-year-old is keen to share his expertise with the people of Derby after taking up the reins as bar manager.
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, which 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 back in September.
“We have been working on cocktails and smoothies which compliment our breakfast menu and there is a trend for non-alcoholic cocktails right now; think alcohol-free 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 Goodwin is hoping to shake things up at House of Darwin
Paul speaks fondly of his time at sea which as well as wining and dining celebrities, saw him experience body boarding in Bora Bora, come within a whisker of gun-wielding Somalian pirates and witness a tragic suicide.
“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.
“The yachts were stunning; five-star luxury as standard with menus in the restaurants developed by Thomas Keller, who is one of the world’s most decorated Michelin starred chefs.
“Clients who would frequent the super yachts included Sir Cliff Richard, Sue Barker, who liked a crisp, white wine, Irish singer Daniel O’Donnell, Chris Tarrant – a G&T man – and James Landau; the film producer who worked on movies Titanic and Avatar.
“We would regularly dock in Monte Carlo for the Formula One grand prix and Ferrari would hire out the ship and staff for the duration, taking down any Seabourn branding and replacing it with the famous Ferrari horse logo. All staff would be presented with Ferrari merchandise at the end of the grand prix and we got the chance to meet the likes of Sebastian Vettel – a very funny and humble man – and Kimi Raikkonen.
Paul Goodwin has been working on breakfast smoothies and cocktails to compliment House of Darwin’s new breakfast menu
“The ships would have 450 guests maximum with 350 members of staff and you had to know each client by their first name.
“We also had to be pirate-trained in case of attack. Each ship has eight ex-Royal Marine personnel on board and you have to have your wits about you at all times, particularly when travelling off the Horn of Africa.
“Attacks on leisure vessels are rare and the chances of the pirates actually boarding the ship even rarer. The closest our ship came to an attack whilst I was working on board was when the pirates surrounded the boat – but the threat was dealt with quickly and efficiently before any real damage could be done.
“We once had a suicide on board, where a passenger jumped overboard. There is a special code which staff are made aware of for such incidents.
“It was a terribly sad event. I was working in the observatory bar and heard the code on the radio. All crew had to go to their stations and the captain turned the boat around, so that we could investigate the incident.
“Lifeboats and the ship’s speed boats were dispatched and they retrieved the body but, sadly, the young woman had died upon impact.
“Because we weren’t aware that it was suicide at the time, her partner was arrested and held on board until we could dock and the FBI could take him away for questioning.
“Those events are rare, though, but you have to be prepared.”
Thankfully, Paul’s first few weeks at House of Darwin haven’t been quite so dramatic, 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,” added Paul.
“The menu at House of Darwin in 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.”
ENDS
For further information please contact Kerry Ganly at Penguin PR on 07734 723951 or email [email protected]
