MEET: Georgia Gresham
Starting her hospitality career in restaurants, Georgia now bartends and crafts drinks across a number of Brisbane venues, including Maker. Her accolades are numerous and include placing in the top six at the Espolòn Afterlife to the Bone competition held in Sydney.
What first drew you to bartending, and what keeps you passionate about it today?
A little rascal who used to work at the Gresham convinced me to enter a Greenhorn competition.
I was working at a restaurant and barely knew how to hold a shaker. I created a Frankenstein cocktail with a million different flavours and ideas. I fell in love.
The excitement of creating something delicious and beautiful.
What personal experiences or life events have shaped your approach to bartending and influenced your style?
My style of bartending is constantly developing and evolving. I could list so many people who have influenced my perspective over the years.
I remember one of my first hospo jobs, running plates and breaking more glasses than I washed.
The chef told me that more than anything else, you are creating an experience. I’ve carried that with me through every job I’ve had and every cocktail I’ve made.
How does Espolòn celebrate or help you unlock your creative spirit?
Since plunging headfirst into the Espolòn Afterlife competition, my creativity has been inspired.
Not only do they encourage creativity, they want your individual style to shine through. “To the bone” is a phrase that really captures their approach to tequila.
Can you share a particular moment or experience that reaffirmed your love for bartending?
I’m continually inspired by my peers in this industry, whether I’m working alongside them or following their work from afar. It constantly deepens my love for bartending.
What’s a piece of advice or a lesson you’ve learned that you think every bartender should know?
You’re not there to educate people. You’re there to connect and create memorable experiences. If you’re not enjoying that, then it might not be the right career.
How you make people feel is far more important than what’s in the glass.
What are your long-term goals within the bartending industry?
I can’t say I have any goals set in stone. Right now, I’m just enjoying the journey. I’ve already gone further than I ever thought I would, and this industry has shown me so much potential in my life.
MEET
