THEA

It’s Thea’s last day at Gordon Biersch. Our shifts are pau (over), so we’re taking some time to chat. She’s moving on to Roy’s at Turtle Bay, which will drastically improve her commute. And you know traffic and parking. The struggle is real! She strikes me as a warm and classy. She almost always has a plumeria in her hair. I imagine her starting her mornings looking for the perfect flawless plumeria – as is right for the Goddess of Light. We’re going to miss her here!

 

What’s le story behind your name?

Thea is a Greek name meaning the goddess of light.

Where you grad?

Punahou

Current position?

Bartender (daytime) at Gordon Biersch

What was your previous job?

Server at Gordon Biersch

Future position or aspiration?

Bartender at Roy’s at Turtle Bay Roy’s Beach House (*when we spoke it was her last day, so she is now at Roy’s go see her there!)

How did you get into the restaurant industry? How did you become a bartender?

My mom used to come here (Gordon Biersch) and she thought this would be a good place to work, so I started as a server. Then Rick, who used to be a manager here…Did you meet Rick? He was the one the set me up to train as a bartender.

Favorite Drink

Thea is twenty. So, she doesn’t drink.

I can make a mean Manhattan. My Mom’s favorite drink is a Woodford Reserve Manhattan. One of my personal favorites too!

Favorite Restaurant that you never worked at.                                       

Shokudo

Favorite item at le restaurant.

Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice and Teriyaki-Chicken Quesadilla

What do you like about bartending?

Bartending is the best job. I’m always meeting people. Folks who hang out at the bar like to Talk-Story. We talk story. And when you’re busy you feel like da bomb because you’re multitasking, remembering orders for your customers, making drinks for your customers and making drinks for the servers and making sure your own customers are getting their orders and bussing and washing glasses and ringing in checks. Feels good to juggle all that.

What’s the worst part of bartending?

You’re running the show. So if you’re off your game, you throw everyone off. It’s a lot of responsibility. As a server, this is one of the things that make Thea an awesome bartender. She cares about the service not only to her own customers at the bar but for the servers and the restaurant. This. Is. Not. A universal trait.

There’s the technical aspect of bartending and the memory aspect too. That’s not bad, but it’s a lot.

Perfect day off?

A day at the beach.

What’s your favorite beach?

Sorry folks, I am not putting that on the internets. Get too crowded. You’re going to have to ask her in person if you want to know!

What do you wish customers knew?

How many steps it takes to get an order. I think if people had a better idea of what goes into getting their order to them they would have a better appreciation of the work and sometimes what they’re asking for. Everyone should work in the service industry.

Lots of nods of agreement for that comment.

Where’d you get your purple lei?

Jasmine’s (one of my awesome co-workers!) daughter made it. It started as a crown lei.

***

I order some food before I start my evening shift. Thea gets ready to go. There are hugs and photos and good lucks and promises that when she’s twenty-one, she’ll come back for a visit.