Ep. 17 Stefano Catino (Maybe Sammy - Maybe Frank)

Roots Hospitality

It's 1998, Vernazza Italy, the world cup is playing on TV and the bar is packed with bustling international tourists. Stefano is 14 working at his cousins bar being taught the ropes. His first task is to collect everyone's order and bring them back to the bar. Stefano took a notepad and a pen, and one by one, he took everyone's orders in the bar and came back to his cousin with a massive list of drinks from everyone in the entire bar. His cousin shakes his head and realizes there's a lot of teaching to do. But for Stefano, he was hooked by the buzz of the bar and since then, has never forgotten that night.
Stefano was born in Vernazza, Italy and was surrounded by hospitality all his life. His father owned and ran a restaurant, and by 5 years old, Stefano was in the venue with a tray collecting empty glasses and plates to be cleaned.
Fast forward to age 26, and Stefano had found his feet on Sydney shores where he decided to settle in and begin working in the CBD. He started immersing himself within the cocktail culture of Sydney, learning basics like the Lemon, Lime and Bitters and having people scream at him to have a 'wet pussy', but having no idea what that was, being taken aback the first few times. Stefano was forced to learn quick about both the drinks, and about 'shit people' so he says.
Stefano soon began working for a hospitality company called 'Flavour', which had an island bar in the middle of Sydney Harbour called Cockatoo Island. Which was famous for it's wild nights, and unloading hundreds of drunk people off the Ferrys back at Circular Quay.
Stefano recounts the incredible time they had a New Years Eve party watching the fireworks, which went on for so long, the bartenders had to sleep on the island overnight, then have a shower and get back to work the next day.
Come to 2015, and Maybe Frank was in construction with a lot of hype around it and when it opened, this unique pizza and cocktail place has been packed ever since. So busy in fact, that another Maybe Frank was opened in Randwick. After years of perfecting the pizza culture, Stefano Catino, along with co-owners Vince Lombardo and the creative director of Maybe Frank, Andrea Gualdi, set to step outside of the kitchen and pursue a passion project in the bar. After Andrea won the World Class Australian Bartender of the year in 2017, they knew it would happen sooner or later.

In January 2019, the 1950's Hollywood inspired cocktail bar Maybe Sammy, was born and at the end of 2019 when it was announced as the 43rd best bar in the world and the best bar in Australia by the Worlds 50 Best... it was their busiest time on record. Recently in October 2020, Maybe Sammy was awarded the Michter Art of Hospitality award for providing the best hospitality experience in the world as rated by 500 members (250 males, 250 females) around the world.
Stefano and the team couldn't have been more chuffed and reminded them of what they had, where they could go and to never stop pushing for their dream in hospitality.
The future of the Maybe Sammy and Maybe Frank team is looking bright, with more venues potentially on the way.
So be sure to grab a drink and tune in to this episode of Roots Podcast and follow @roots_hospitality on Instagram for the latest guest info and soundbites.
Music by Charlie Fester.