Andrii Osypchuk, bar manager, Gaucho Dubai reveals his tricks of the trade: passion, creativity and inspirational colleagues
Describe your first ever role in the F&B industry?
I started my hospitality career as a waiter when I was 19 during my university years in order to make some extra cash.
Who has inspired you most in your career?
When I was a waiter at university, all the bartenders were doing some amazing bottle tricks and insane cocktails and I wanted to be like them. Then I got the chance to get behind the bar where I met some of the most talented mixologists known to date. With their passion and creativity, they really inspired me to grow and to come up with some of my own cocktails, which are known internationally.
How do you view the F&B scene in the region?
The F&B industry in Dubai has now grown into one of the world’s best, along with London, New York and Hong Kong. In Dubai you can find some of world’s top bartenders who are global trendsetters.
What is the biggest challenge of your role?
I really couldn’t tell you as I’m in this industry to challenge myself on a daily basis – the more challenges I am faced with, the more creative I become.
What is your favourite aspect of the role?
To use my creativity and to blow people away. I love seeing the reactions on the faces of my customers when they are drinking my cocktails; it gives me a great feeling every time.
What tip would you share with new staff starting out in the F&B industry in the region?
I wouldn’t be where I am now if I didn’t have people who took the time to teach me the basics. But you really have to be passionate about this game. I don’t look at this as a job; I look at it as a way of life. Train hard, attend as many masterclasses as you can, experiment, make mistakes and try to work with people who inspire you, like I did.
Experience:
January 2016 – present: Bar manager Gaucho Dubai
December 2014 – January 2016: Head bartender Blasé Dubai
April 2014 – December 2014: Bartender, Suga, Conrad Dubai
