Mauro Cortese

With over 15 years of experience spanning Italy, London and Dubai, Mauro Cortese has become one of the most dynamic forces shaping the region’s modern bar landscape. As group bar manager at Orange Hospitality, he has crafted a new vernacular of mixology, one that balances technical precision with narrative flair. His Elementalism programme at MayaBay Dubai exemplifies this philosophy: cocktails conceived around harmony, emotion and story, each pour as considered as a piece of design.

Before that, at the acclaimed Galaxy Bar, Cortese helped place Dubai on the global cocktail map with the 12 Stars of the Disco Era menu, a concept blending nostalgia, theatre, and avant-garde technique. His work there redefined what a guest experience could be, inspiring a generation of bartenders to treat their craft as cultural expression.

Beyond the bar counter, Cortese’s influence runs deep. A mentor and connector, he has brought global icons to the Middle East, fostering collaboration and exchange across continents. His recent accolades, UAE Patrón Perfectionist 2024 and Bar Manager of the Year 2024, cement his reputation not only as a creative visionary but as a leader shaping the future of hospitality in the region.