Speak Greasy with Gauri, Shatbhi Basu & Aashi Bhatnagar | Ep 4.4 | Bar None: Boss Women Who Pour

What this episode covers

Welcome to the fourth episode of Magazine St. Kitchen x Swiggy presents Speak Greasy with Gauri Devidayal Season 4. In this episode, Gauri sits down with two trailblazers in India’s bar industry: Aashi Bhatnagar and Shatbhi Basu. Aashi Bhatnagar, known as Pocket Dynamyte, is an award-winning bartender from Pune who has taken the Indian cocktail scene by storm. She made history as the first Indian to reach the Top 12 at the World Class by Diageo competition in São Paulo, where she also won the People’s Choice Award. Her mixology style is rooted in a culinary approach, blending classic techniques with innovative ingredients. Shatbhi Basu is a pioneer in India’s bartending world, breaking barriers as the country’s first female bartender. She founded STIR Academy of Bartending to train the next generation of bartenders and has authored India’s first comprehensive books on cocktails and mocktails. Her career spans everything from beverage consulting and bar design to hosting cocktail shows and educating people about spirits. In this conversation, Aashi and Shatbhi share their unconventional journeys into the world of bartending. Shatbhi’s path began with a love for Chinese cuisine, leading her to a restaurant kitchen before she unexpectedly found herself behind the bar. She candidly talks about her early struggles, from not knowing how to mix drinks to eventually mastering the craft and becoming one of India’s most influential figures in the beverage industry. Aashi’s story mirrors this in a modern way—she initially wanted to be a fashion designer, but when NIFT Shillong felt too far from home, she took a chance on culinary school instead. That detour led her to bartending, where she now crafts cocktails with the same artistic flair she once reserved for designing clothes. The conversation explores the challenges of being a woman in the bar industry. Shatbhi recalls being one of only 12 women in a class of 100, while Aashi shares her experience of being one of just two female students among 40. Despite these odds, both have fought their way to the top, proving that talent and perseverance matter more than gender in this competitive space. They also discuss the evolution of the Indian cocktail scene and how global trends are shaping local drinking culture. Shatbhi has spent years educating people about spirits, breaking down complex mixology techniques into simple, approachable concepts. Aashi, meanwhile, has taken a chef-driven approach to her craft, working closely with chefs to create cocktails that complement food in unexpected ways. Gauri dives into their most memorable career moments, from Shatbhi’s early days in Bombay bars to launching cocktail programmes and designing modular bars, to Aashi’s dramatic victory at World Class by Diageo, where even her father, initially sceptical of her career choice, had a change of heart. They discuss the impact of competitions, guest shifts, and international exposure on their careers and how India’s bar scene is earning its place on the global stage. Beyond cocktails, this episode is about persistence, passion, and breaking barriers. Shatbhi’s journey from hospitality school to becoming an industry icon and Aashi’s rise as a globally recognised bartender prove that success comes from pushing boundaries and constantly innovating. If you love cocktails, hospitality, or just a great story about trailblazers redefining their industry, this episode is for you. Tune in to hear about their journeys, insights, and what it takes to make it in the ever-evolving world of bartending. Need a last-minute food fix? Get fresh, hot and crisp food delivered in just 10 minutes with Bolt on Swiggy! Order now: https://swiggy.onelink.me/888564224/kgk7tne3