Tips From A Former Server: Flowing Through The Creative And Unique Experience
Restaurant & Night Life Industry in Downtown Chicago
The Cucumber Melon Body Spray at Bath and Body Works was the scent of the summer for every late 90’s and early 2000’s teenage girl. I conjured this smell with my best friend a few years ago. I realized I really enjoy the creative strategy of crafting unique cocktails that not only taste and look good but also share a memorable story to connect to guests.
Prior to my first experience behind the bar, I was inspired and informally mentored by a legendary bartender and partner at the Duck Inn, Brandon Phillips. I worked alongside him for a few months at the revived famed Pump Room with the new name, Booth One, under the direction of Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises in Chicago. He crafted an exquisitely smooth and balanced signature cocktail that left a lasting impression on me with a beautiful name. He inspired me to dive into the mind of a mixologist when I was asked to assist one of my best friends and one of Pilsen’s legendary bartenders, Iliana Ovalle, to create an inspired pre-batched cocktail for an upcoming bar crawl at an old classic Pilsen bar, Harbee’s.
Healing With Creativity
As Ili and I brainstormed, we thought about our clients. Pilsen is adorned with Mexican culture throughout its bars, restaurants, streets, and neighborhood shops.
“We love pepino!” Ili immediately thought.
But cucumber, lime, grapefruit, and hibiscus can’t be the only ingredients we can mix with tequila or mezcal. So, I told her about this drink Brandon created that included melon and mezcal because women at Harbee’s love their mezcal.
We got to the kitchen and started cooking. The smell alone produced by juicing the cucumber and then the melon slowly brought back the wonderful memories. We didn’t expect to get pulled to those Bath & Body Works scents from our youth.
I was home again in Pilsen. Our “Smells Like Teen Spirit” was produced and well-received for the weekend but it was very impactful for me to feel connected to the story it told and share it with my community.
Trusting The Flow
From the moment you walk into a venue, your experience is thought out. You are greeted and guided by a hostess. They are trained to make you feel welcome and comfortable to answer any questions you may have. Your server is the expert on the entire menu including an extensive food and beverage list. The bartenders are also experts of the menu, serve the bar, and build signature cocktails. They both know how to guide guests to their personalized best options and even those who are not sure of what they want. Your server and bartenders are supported by food runners to deliver food. Bussers also support servers and bartenders by maintaining areas clean for smoother transitions. Bussers and food runners are knowledgeable of the menu but are not trained or responsible to take guest orders. At some venues, personnel like managers, maitr’ds, and servers conduct research and compile notes on returning guests to better enhance their guests’ experience. It is a production that is carefully orchestrated and rehearsed.
Growing From The Challenge
It was so thrilling to challenge my mind with creative exercises and experiences while I was working in the Industry. I found that the more I explored my creative talents, despite my skill level, I tapped into some parts of myself that needed to transform into the beautiful art of storytelling. Whether it was in writing, painting, crafting cocktails, or other crafts, these acts were part of my healing and devotion to my true self. It was challenging in a way that inspired growth and propelled me to foster skills that can help me share the impactful stories I was fortunate to experience as an employee of the bar and restaurant hospitality industry.
Read more on behind the scenes and understanding empathy in this industry.
