He scored “Best Bartender” nods in Phoenix and Chicago and honed his skills at the likes of Ocotillo in Phoenix and Multnomah Whiskey Library in Portland. These days, Geoffrey Wilson continues to carve out a name for himself as one of the industry’s foremost authorities on equality, visibility and diversity through his work at Turning Tables, a nonprofit and career development organization serving Greater New Orleans.
There, Geoffrey Wilson does more than just craft exceptional cocktails – he also shakes up outdated industry standards, making a tangible difference in marginalized communities by spearheading initiatives that educate, uplift and support bar and restaurant workers.
Read on for more about what drives and inspires Geoffrey, who he looks up to and what advice he has for aspiring hospitality professionals looking to make their mark on the industry.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Vinyl records will never go out of style no matter what the music industry says. Cocktail bartending is the new dive bar bartending. Education can still get you places even though being educated is now classist. You’re not as dumb as you keep thinking you are.
What’s the best advice anyone has ever given you?
Stop overthinking! You need to give back to your community.
Who’s one of your hospitality heroes, and why?
Thomas Bullock – This man was able to influence generations of bartenders by writing a cocktail book in a time where black history wasn’t written down.
What’s your guilty pleasure food or drink?
Popeye’s chicken, Manchego cheese, oysters, crawfish.
What’s one of your favorite hospitality memories?
Having a cocktail recipe published in a book by Gaz Regan.
What’s a lesson you had to learn the hard way?
If you don’t advocate for yourself, you’re basically f*cked.
What’s your favorite hospitality life-hack?
THC-infused seltzers.