Irene Diaz

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Hospitality, culture and territory through drinks.

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Born in Venezuela and currently based in London, Irene works at the intersection of hospitality, culture and territory. Her practice uses drinks not as an end, but as a tool to understand place, people and identity.

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Her career began behind the bar in Caracas while studying law, later evolving into international work representing the Venezuelan Rum Denomination of Origin across Latin America, Europe and Asia. That experience shaped a way of working rooted in origin, process and cultural context.

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After living and working in Asia and Latin America, Irene led community-driven and sustainability-focused projects at Alquímico in Cartagena, building long-term relationships with local producers and exploring how hospitality can create real impact beyond the bar.

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Today, she lives in London, where she leads the mezcal program at KOL, a Michelin-starred Mexican restaurant. Her work continues to focus on agave spirits, Latin American culture and the role of hospitality as a bridge between territory, tradition and contemporary experience.