The NOLADrinks Show with Bryan Dias – Representation Behind the Bar – 2022Ep30

On this week’s The NOLADrinks Show with Bryan Dias, we have an important yet entertaining conversation. We discuss working as a bartender as a BIPOC individual. Our guests are Omar Jacks and Geoffrey Wilson. Omar is a rising star bartender at New Orleans’ Cane & Table. Geoffrey also works at Cane & Table and other spots, is a leader with Turning Tables, and is a long-standing bartending veteran and an influential mentor in the industry. Much of our discussion centers around Omar’s journey getting behind the bar allowing us to not only learn about his story but also to touch on important issues related to our topic.

Pictured above from left, upper-left pane – Rising star bartender, Omar Jacks, of Cane & Table, industry leader and mentor, Geoffrey Wilson, of Turning Tables, and Bryan Dias of The NOLADrinks Show.

The NOLADrinks Show with Bryan Dias – Representation Behind the Bar – 2022Ep30

We welcome returning guest, Geoffrey Wilson, back to the show along with first timer, Omar Jacks. Both work together at Cane & Table – the fine craft cocktail bar and restaurant located in the French Quarter of New Orleans.

Geoffrey has worked as a bartender for years in the industry in many cities around the US. He is one of the leaders and mentors of Turning Tables, a terrific organization that we have featured many times on the show. Omar is relatively new to the bartending world but brings an interesting background and somewhat of a non-traditional trajectory to getting “behind the stick.”

Both Geoffrey and Omar are persons of color and Omar is a native of Jamaica who immigrated to the US, first to New York and then moving to New Orleans. For much of the show, we talk about Omar’s career, that includes a culinary and fashion background. We learn about his interesting path, how he approaches creating cocktails, and where he sees himself going in the future.

This also serves our interview by allowing us to touch on important issues connected to being a BIPOC individual working as a bartender, particularly in a craft cocktail setting.

It’s a wide-ranging chat where we touch on critical issues in the hospitality industry, but we also have some good laughs and discuss some entertaining things, as well. Omar and Geoffrey stick around for our podcast-only segment, “Another Shot with NOLADrinks,” where our conversation continues including some thoughts on customer behavior in a post-pandemic world and myths and realities about “Southern Hospitality.”

Please note – this show is part of our ongoing “Sustainability Series.”

Cheers and Be Well, You All!

~ Bryan