Kricket’s Will Rogers: ‘I trained as an actor like most bartenders’

The head of beverage at Kricket and Soma trained in acting before devoting himself to the world of drinks. This month he lead the launch of Soma 2.0 – a cocktail bar in Canary Wharf serving drinks inspired by the Indian subcontinent and neighbouring countries.

 

Here he shares the inside scoop on his life.

 

What was your best subject at school? 

Drama.

 

What was your first job in hospitality/drinks? 

My first job in drinks was in a lovely pub in Hertfordshire called the Boat.

 

What is your favourite food/cuisine? 

Tough one, but I’m a sucker for some classic French cooking, the more butter, the better!

 

What do you normally have for breakfast? 

A flat white often sees me through during the week, but on the weekend, eggs, scrambled...lots of butter!

 

What do you do to relax? 

Play tennis.

 

What is your favourite bar? 

Soma, obviously, but I tend to stay local and love the Prince near me in Bounds Green.

 

What’s your favourite restaurant? 

Maison François when I’ve just been paid, Nando’s when it’s the end of the month.

 

What is your favourite drink/cocktail? 

An ice-cold crisp (half) lager.

 

What is your favourite hotel? 

I have not been to enough to say – I am more of an Airbnb man. 

 

Which ingredient do you hate the most? 

Aperol.

 

Are there any ingredients that you refuse to use in your drinks? If so, why?

Aperol...I don’t trust anything that orange. 

 

What do you always carry with you? 

A sense I’ve forgotten something.

 

Which person in the drinks world do you most admire? 

Fabrice Limon [founder of Highball Brands] is a cool guy who has been a good mentor.

 

Which person gave you the greatest inspiration? 

My parents.

 

Cast away on a desert island, what luxury would you take? 

Sun cream.

 

What daily newspaper/website do you like to read? 

I tend to find myself on X.com too much, I have to admit.

 

If not yourself, who would you rather have been? 

Roger Federer.

 

If you had not gone into the drinks world, where do you think you would be now? 

I trained as an actor like most bartenders, so I guess Hollywood, right?

 

Describe your ultimate nightmare? 

Three doubles in a row.

 

When and where was your last holiday? 

I just got married in Portugal, although I am not sure that was a holiday.

 

What irritates you most about the industry? 

Google Reviews.

 

What’s your favourite film? 

Twister (the original).

 

Who would play “you” in a film about your life? 

Stephen Graham, with some prosthetics.

 

What’s your favourite book? 

I don’t read enough.

 

If you had more time, what would you do?

Read more.