World-acclaimed mixologist and bartender Francesco Lafranconi stirred up six new concoctions for Hilton Shanghai’s drink menu. His job sounds like a dream, getting paid to drink (and the more he drinks, the more he gets paid). However, this rather intricate art of muddling different flavors and cultures into one glass comes is actually hard work. Lafranconi advises beginner bartenders to really do their homework, to have fun in “a place that allows you to share your creativity but also invest your time to study the product knowledge” because “once you have the confidence understand the flavors, everything will fall into place perfectly”.

Along with masterminding impeccable cocktail recipes, Lafranconi also likes studying the senses to unravel the mysteries of how the brain processes olfactory information. One of his biggest passions is travel - not only staying in luxurious five-star hotels, but also immersing himself in the local culture and food. As he says, he “needs to be fed with knowledge”. When asked who he would go for drinks with, he said, “I need somebody that is very inspirational. I try to learn something from everybody so I like to have constructive conversations with people. I like to sit with people that can teach me something.” With that, Oscar Wilde came second place to his wife, whom he lauded as “the best tester”.

Lafranconi was overwhelmed by the warm hospitality he received in Shanghai and by the grandeur of this metropolitan maze. “There are buildings as far as I can see all around me. I feel like a little ant. I definitely think that from now on, Shanghai’s going to have a special place in my heart. Hopefully I can find a way to share my passion and knowledge with the emerging beverage industry and maybe I can raise the bar in this city. If it’s meant to be, it’s meant to be.”

Penthouse Bar On 39 at Hilton Shanghai. 250 Hua Shan Lu, near Yan'an Road. Tel: 6248 0000

 TALK caught up with the chairman of the Hong Kong Institute of Professional Photographers (HKIPP), Carsten Schael, whose members are currently exhibiting works on Hong Kong, from cityscapes to portraitures, classic to surrealistic, in Shanghai, to ask a few questions.

How did you discover your passion for photography?

When I was 7 years old, I got my first camera from my parents. My dad was very keen on photography at the time. At first, I would admire my dad’s pictures, but then I was able to take my own pictures and never stopped from there. It evolved into more and more of a passion

How did you decide to move to Hong Kong?

I visited in 1989 and the place immediately resonated with me. I met my girlfriend who is also German, but grew up in Hong Kong, so that was the reason for my visit. I fell in love with the girl and at the same time, fell in love with the place. I’d lived my whole life in Germany and was looking to move abroad to get more experience after finishing my studies.

What catches your eye when taking photographs?

My eye is constantly roaming around and when suddenly, something captures my attention, it’s instinctive and my eye rests for a split second longer. That’s when I take a double take- what is going on there? Sometimes I look for certain compositions or things that are just somehow remarkable.

What distinguishes you from other photographers?

Everyone has their own visual sense. For me, I see color, composition, things I find remarkable in some way, shape, or form, and I think that distinguishes my work from the next guy.

What camera do you use?

I use a range of camera systems from very small to very big depending on the subject matter.

How do you go about teaching photography?

I tell my students to learn and study as much as they can to get a very good basic knowledge of the medium and of different approaches by different people. Photography is not just about reading it or learning it, but also practicing. You need to go out and take lots of pictures. The more, the better, and as much as you can. The more time and effort you spend on it, the better you’ll get.

What do you want to do in the future as a photographer?

Now, I do commercial and personal work, so whenever time allows, I work on some personal things. Photography is a life choice, so that’s something I hope to be doing until the end of my days. It’s still very much a passion for me and I want to keep doing it for as long as I can.

This past weekend, Hyatt on the Bund made their case for hosting the wedding of one’s dreams with their first bridal show of the summer. With three unique ballrooms and a wide selection of menu and wedding packages to choose from, the hotel offers something for nearly every budget. The wedding ceremony itself takes place on a purpose-built stage cleverly constructed on top of the stream running through the hotel’s lower lobby.

The show consisted of a mock wedding to show off the hotel’s Bund Ballroom offerings including a delicious layered cake. This was followed in turn by a fashion show displaying the latest in contemporary bridal gown and evening wear styles. Finally, the hotel offered bridal fair guests a chance to sample the many delectable food and drink treats included in their wedding packages and tour their bridal suite.

For more information on how to ‘register your love’ at the Hyatt on the Bund, please visit their website.

Hyatt on the Bund. 199 Huangpu Lu. Tel: 6393 1234. Web: http://shanghai.bund.hyatt.com

Handsome Furs Show Recap

Jam-packed between uncountable sweaty bodies all jumping and moshing in unison, I was both terrified that my feet would get trodden into shreds and elated with the energy in and around the room, charged by the electrifying performance of the Handsome Furs. The moment the show opened with the strumming of ‘All We Want, Baby is Everything’, the crowd went wild.

The air was thick with the smell of beer, cigarettes and B.O. Through this dense smog, the amazing genius of Dan Boeckner’s guitar and drum-machining onslaught by wife Alexei Perry, permeated the crowd in sonic waves of awe. Tearing through songs from their last album, Face Control, and some new singles like ‘Free the People’ (great song!), they rocked the living bejeezus out of Yuyintang.

Not a single body wasn’t bobbing a head or shaking it as the band pounded through their songs with raw electro-rock energy. Reaffirming their status as the cutest rock couple, the two smooched three times throughout the show, once exchanging an “I like him” from Alexei for an “I like her” from Dan. So cute.

They took breaks between songs not only to kiss, but also to share a few funny stories, one concerning a pet locust, and another Pearl Tower adventure that turned into an unexpected, WTF moment – the Bund Sightseeing Tunnel tour – described by Dan as “the inside of a five-year old’s brain on acid”.