Bartender Andrew Williams doing what he does best at Beaches Boscobel Resort and Golf Club. - Contributed

'If you want it bad enough there is nothing that may stop you from achieving your goals' is bartender extraordinaire Andrew Williams' philosophy.

This has been a significant part of the foundation from which he stems. He never ate from a silver platter and was told at the end of his high school tenure that if he wanted to further his education, it was basically in his own hands. He never threw in the towel but he made it his duty to rise to the occasion and make something of his life.

Age is just a number for 24-year-old Williams who holds the prestigious title of assistant bar manager at Beaches Boscobel in St. Mary. He is passionate about what he does and by extension, the tourist industry.

Always friendly

He explained: "Growing up I liked (how) tourism contributed to the development of Jamaica. I was always friendly." Since bartending is an 'upfront' job, his personality readily complements the work that he loves. To this end, he aims to please. "I like when people get more than what they bargain for," he stated.

However, one of Mr. Williams' challenges as he puts it is "walking the thin line between satisfying guests and satisfying employers." He explained that there is "no hard and fast way to do it but one definitely has to be on the ball and pay attention to all the little details."

His drive for details definitely paid off with a trip to Miami, Florida, as a member of the Jamaica culinary team to represent Jamaica at the prestigious Caribbean Hotel Association Conference that ran from June 24-29. Caribbean passion, wild temptation and virgin orgy are not usually used to describe drinks, but these were his entries in the vodka, rum and non-alcoholic sections of the 'Taste Caribbean' competition. When he finished concocting these delights he emerged with a silver medal after competing with bartenders from more than 16 other Caribbean countries. "The experience was one filled with knowledge and I gained a lot," he said.

Born in Linstead, St. Catherine, Williams attended Charlemont High School and pursued food and beverage at the Runaway Bay HEART Hotel. This was just the beginning of his journey into the hospitality industry.

His desire to be further educated prompted him to return to his alma mater to complete sixth form studies in sociology, management of business and Caribbean and communication studies. Success in these subjects made it possible for him to enrol at the University of Technology, where he majored in food service management. "I paid my way through college while working full time at the Hilton Kingston hotel and I have never failed a subject," explained Williams.

Culinary competition

While in his second year at UTech he participated in the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission's culinary competition. He entered three drinks in the bartending section and won two bronze medals and a gold medal. His awards reinvigorated him to enter the competition again and this time he was named Bartender of the Year. His non-alcoholic beverage virgin orgy was the best drink in that category and it also won a gold medal. His other drinks, cool oasis and metropolitan, got silver medals.

On this journey to success the words of Hansel White, a retired principal, continue to echo in his thoughts: "Regardless of circumstances you can achieve anything."

Williams hopes to master's degree in human resource and eventually wants to manage his own property. He also dreams of representing Jamaica on governing bodies of tourism and to work with the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association.