Christian Suzuki-Orellana
Primarily growing up in the Bay Area, Suzu spent much of his childhood and teenage years in Tokyo, working under the tutelage of his grandparents at their restaurants—learning about hospitality, food, and management. After returning back to California, he applied the knowledge he accumulated in Japan into his work within bar hospitality.
Over the course of a decade, Suzu has developed an illustrious career tending bar and managing at some of San Francisco's most iconic cocktail bars including 15 Romolo, Benjamin Cooper, and Wildhawk. Suzu was also a contestant on the hit Netflix show, Drink Masters.
After years of hosting his cocktail pop-up, Kagano, around California--he is currently taking it on a 9-month North America tour, before landing a permanent bar slated for a 2026 opening in NYC.
Career
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Kagano North America Pop-Up Tour, USA, Caribbean, Mexico, Canada (2024-2025); Netflix, Semi-finalist on Drink Masters Season 1 (2022)
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Tales of the Cocktail / Spirited Awards, Nomination for Bartender of the Year (2022, 2023); World’s 50 Best Discovery, Wildhawk, San Francisco (2022); StarChefs Magazine, Rising Star Award (2022); Imbibe Magazine, Imbibe 75 Honoree (2022); PUNCH, Bartender in Residence (2021); Bombay Sapphire’s Most Imaginative Bartender, National Finalist (2020); Bacardi Legacy, National Finalist (2018)
