For the first time in its history, the famed American Bar at the Savoy in London will actually have an American as its head bartender.
Tebay is a seven-year veteran of the renowned bar Death & Company in New York and will begin her tenure at the American Bar in August. Tebay will be the first woman to hold the position since famed bartender Ada Coleman, who served the venue from 1903 to 1924.
Tebay said: “Becoming head bartender at the American Bar is not just the professional opportunity of a lifetime, it’s also an opportunity to continue building the bar’s legacy as a beacon of innovation and quality – in both the way we create our drinks and in how we deliver our service.”
Tebay studied at the French Culinary Institute and has a background in pastry, which she has applied to her cocktail-making technique. She said she aims to reassess some of the processes of the American Bar, which first opened in 1893.
“I hope to honour the historical significance of the American Bar and modernise bartending culture within the community at large, championing under-represented perspectives and re-evaluating best practices in order to maximise sustainability,” she explained.
Franck Arnold, managing director of The Savoy, commented: “We’re really excited to be welcoming Shannon to The Savoy. We admire her vision and her focus on teamwork. We’re looking forward to seeing her reopen the American Bar with a menu that will display her reverence for the bar’s history, and showcase the creativity and talent of the team as a whole.”
For more information on American Bar, go to thesavoylondon.com