Meet Derrick Blackmon | Bartender/Mixologist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Derrick Blackmon and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Derrick, what role has risk played in your life or career?

Taking a risk to me is very excited It helps me by creating cocktail ideas and how my presentation will look because I’ve not seen or heard of them before. And also would love to see the reaction on a customers face when they try something new that they haven’t try before to see if my risk was a success or a situation when I would have to go back to the drawing board, Risk taking gives me Passion because it keeps my strong juices for creative flowing and heart racing from the joy it brings me but in reality taking a risk is a real adventure that I would love to suit up for.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?

Well what keeps me busy is my normal work as a bartender/mixologist, subcontractor, events, menu developments and competition.

My normal work as a mixologist is all about helping others in learning about spirits, classic cocktails and they way you can recreate them in your own way.As a subcontractor I work along with some  companies to train staff members on knowledge, services tips and everything they would need to know for their everyday living. The events that I take part in are like large concerts and sometimes can be private due to the level of bartending services a client would like, events can be a good point of networking with others in what my service provides especially when I have my drink creations at the event. Creating menus helps with the companies outlook on their cocktail program that they would love to have to introduce to their customers in terms on getting feedback. When it all boils down to competition I go into full gear thinking of ideas, presentations, ingredients and also combination that I’ve never seen before  that would make your mind wonder, My competitions sometimes time needs me to travel and I get to meet other cultures and represent my island by putting my artwork into effect and showcasing my talent in the wonderful world of cocktails and dreams. So almost everyday is busy for me because I love to research information watching others world bartenders and just being good at what I do.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Well the things I would have plan out for my best friend would be

Monday- Rum tasting and history tour around the island

Tuesday- swimming with the pigs, snorkeling and lunch tour.

Wednesday- Food and cocktail day with local food from the Fish Fry aka Arawak Cay and bar hopping.

Thursday-private interactive pirate ship cruise and party boat.

Friday- Hit the casino and major hotel for food and drinks (Baha mar & Atlantis).

Saturday – rose island tour daytime party boat
And nightclub hopping(Bond & Aura).

Sunday- unwind and tour the island finding things we missed out on.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Well for me I just want to thank everyone that has been apart of my journey (family members, bartenders, friends) and anyone I might of miss cause without your support and push I wouldn’t of been where I am today thank you and love you all.

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