In 2017, I (Josh) was super fortunate to have been invited on a Havana Club sponsored trip to Cuba. I was told that there would be some bartenders and industry leaders from all over the world and our pals at Havana Club at the time LOVED what we were doing with Bartender Atlas (Hi Donnie! Hi Audrey!). When I arrived I did not expect to be surrounded by authors of books I had devoured, Spirited Awards winners and owners of the best bars in the world (not just on the lists but in my heart). One such member of our crew was Francois Monti whose dry sense of humour and incredible knowledge of liquor and cocktail history had me hooked from the start. Over the last 9 years we have been fortunate (again) to run into each other at various cocktail weeks and finally, we did a short interview with him when we were recently in Milan for The Fifty.
Bartender Atlas: Where were you born?
Francois Monti: I was born in Belgium.
BA: Where do you work now?
FM: In Madrid. I mean, Madrid is where home is, but you know.
BA: What’s your job or how would you describe what you do in the hospitality industry?
FM: All right. So, to my parents, I’m a journalist and writer because it’s the only thing they’re gonna understand. But I also do a lot of consulting with brands, et cetera. So you know, if they pay me, I do it. If it’s honest.
BA: Where do you go out to eat and drink on your days off?
FM: Personally I’d like to stay home because I’m traveling too much. My wife has us going out as much as we can on weekends. Where do I go? I like classic places. I honestly like comfort food in general. And that’s something Spanish people do very well.
BA: What do you do outside of writing or food or drink stuff as hobbies on your days off?
FM: Reading, movies, music. And sometimes I go for a run, but I wouldn’t qualify that, it is not a hobby.
BA: Would you say you’re more a movie person or more a music person?
FM: I can’t really separate the two. Probably, uh, looking at my own life, music.
BA: Okay. What’s one album you think everybody should listen to?
FM: God, that’s impossible. The album that’s had the biggest impact on me is Violator by Depeche Mode.
BA: Excellent answer. What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
FM: I don’t listen to anybody. Haha. That’s a tough one. I don’t think I can sum it up in one sentence or one specifically. My father once told me about the first job I got: “You got it on your own merit. Whatever or however it goes, that’s all that matters, you got it on your own merit.” And so that’s, for me, something that’s very important.
BA: What’s something that you’re excited about?
FM: Going home. Sleeping in my bed.
RETURN TO ALL HOSPITALITY GEMS
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Posted October 17th, 2026
