5 Minutes with Matt Mahatme, Lixir Drinks

What would you be doing if you weren’t in the food industry?
I’d like to think I’d be doing something entrepreneurial but in which sector I have no idea! It would definitely involve doing my own thing, and probably have a sales element too it as this is an area of the business I absolutely love – getting out there and meeting people.

What was your first job?
Far away from my role as a Drinks Founder as you can get… I used to work at an aquatic consultancy firm every summer during 6th form and university. I’d do all sorts, from lake nettings to planting along rivers.

What inspires you?
Definitely people, family in particular. I look up to my grandad who came from nothing and was successful in his medical career. I used to be obsessed with Nelson Mandela. I grew up wanting to change the world, and he is someone that achieved that on a grand scale. I’d say creating a legacy inspires me, in both my professional and personal life.

What’s the worst job you’ve done?
Probably dressing up as Santa for a society ball. Loads of drunk students asking me to sit on their lap for £50 and a free dinner. Never again. Official job would be for a student lettings firm. I lasted 1 month under a pretty horrible manager and quit on my birthday with no idea what I was going to do next.

What’s your favourite part of the job?
It has to be the variety in the day-to-day. One day I’m meeting new partners in Swansea, the next I’ll be visiting a bottling plant up North and the following week I’ll be drinking my own brand in some of the best bars in London. Never quite knowing what the week will bring keeps things exciting and me on my toes!

And your least favourite?
Cash is king, having to monitor cashflow as a scale up brand is important, but not exactly thrilling!

How about the food industry?
It has to be the variety of people from all sorts of backgrounds who are generally all amazingly positive people. It moves really quickly too, lots of change which I think is refreshing.

Tea or coffee?
Coffee - always

What would be your last supper?
Calamari for starters, followed by a fat ribeye steak, medium rare, garlic butter, side of triple cooked fries, buttered spinach. Probably finish it off with a gooey brownie and some raspberry sorbet.

What’s your motto?
Create nostalgia.

What’s the weirdest thing you’ve ever eaten?
I had roasted guinea pig with a side of maggot-filled potatoes in Peru. My stomach confirmed it was a pretty bad decision.

What’s your favourite book?
Long Walk to Freedom – Nelson Mandela

Sweet or savoury?
Definitely savoury, although when the bags of Candy Kittens come out in the office, there’s no stopping me.