Valentino is an award-winning Italian mixologist and a compulsive day-dreamer with the passion for photography. He created Shōshin Art Club while participating Bombay Sapphire’s Most Imaginative Bartender 2020, a cocktail competition that requires the finalists to showcase three original cocktail recipes and an innovative business project that incorporates the mixologist’s passion outside of bartending. Shōshin Art Club was presented in the final round of the competition, and won Valentino the title of Most Imaginative Bartender 2020 and a creative grant allowing him to bring the project to life.
Shōshin in Japanese means “Beginner’s Mind”, the mindset of the true beginner is free of preconceptions or any expectations, and instead filled with curiosity and open to unlimited possibilities. This is an homage to Valentino’s love of Japan. A culture that he was able to experience and that he largely credits for helping to expand his mind.