Alex Dempsey
Being unhappy at work can have a ripple effect on life outside of the workplace, taking a toll on relationships and mental health – which is why finding a fulfilling career is so important. Alex Dempsey is thankful for the multitude of pathways within the hospitality industry that allowed her to explore something different when she felt that need for change.
A former chef, Alex found her feet and gained a new sense of purpose as a bartender and mixologist at Empress Craft Beer in Devonport on Tasmania's North West Coast. She started her career in the Tasmanian hospitality industry at a young age in a chef position, learning the ropes of front of house at the same time. Over the course of 15 years she moved into different aspects within the kitchen environment enjoying the creative aspect that comes with this role.
"I’d been cheffing for 15 years, and I woke up (I was 30) and knew I wasn't really happy and so decided to give bar work a go. And it changed my perception of hospitality as a whole. I think being connected with people again changed that for me,” she explains.
“Rather than being in a kitchen and being surrounded by the same people all the time, in bar work, there's just so many new people to see, to meet, to chat with, and that’s something I really enjoyed about the change between kitchen and bar work.” A bonus she adds “I can still be creative like I was in the kitchen because I create cocktails and that is fun for me and I love it.”
Finding an opening into the industry or advertised jobs for hospitality careers is easier than ever before thanks to social media. “I actually found Empress Craft Beer through a Facebook ad,” Alex says. “I was in a Chef position and was ready for a change, so after finding the ad I had an interview, and I just fell in love with the place as soon as I got here,” she says. “The creativity that I have found here, with cocktails, music – the things that surround the bar is incredible. The beer alone, and what I have learnt from that is amazing. It’s incredible to see what brewers are currently doing, changing things and the way beer is being seen. They’re making weird and outrageous things that I'm such a fan of.”
Alex has always gravitated towards hospitality and finds it hard to imagine what life would be like down a different route. “I always loved cooking as a child, with my grandmother and parents, and it was something I was also naturally good at. I loved creating, and my mother could make something out of nothing so I knew I wanted to do that,” she says. “What I love about working in the hospitality industry is the creativity outlet I have and that I am constantly learning – about new spirits, new beer, wine (there's that side of it that I truly appreciate). Then there's also the different people that I can meet from different walks of life and different parts of the world, who are interested in the same thing - getting a good drink! And I take pleasure in that, making sure they get that good drink or finding something about the interaction or experience that they truly appreciate and enjoy.”
Alex admits that she tried other things for a while, like going to university, but always came back to cooking because it’s what I enjoyed most. “I’m so thankful that the industry provides so many pathways. Hospitality as a whole is like an umbrella as I see it. I’ve come from working in a kitchen, to working in a bar, yet there is still so much of the hospitality industry to discover.”
“I’m so thankful that the industry provides so many pathways. Hospitality as a whole is like an umbrella as I see it. I’ve come from working in a kitchen, to working in a bar, yet there is still so much of the hospitality industry to discover.”
Taking that chance and moving roles within the industry has impacted Alex’s life in the best way possible, by giving her confidence back. Her responsibilities go beyond pouring beer or serving a drink, they extend into organising events, creating new cocktails for the menu, ordering beer, looking at new wines on the market, and collaborating with Tasmanian producers and makers. “Hospitality is a very supportive industry especially where I am at the moment. I have a great team that I work with and as an extension of that, I have met distillers and brewers who are very supportive of us and the industry. If I need to reach out for help or if I don’t understand something, there is always someone to reach out to. Whether that is my boss, my co-workers, anyone really.” It’s instances like this that show the camaraderie not only within the hospitality industry but the state as a whole.
Being a supportive environment also broadens into the positive impact made by staff to patrons. Alex believes “The right drink can change someone's day. Whether it be a really good craft beer, or a good glass of wine after a hard day, or a beautiful cocktail with your girlfriends, it makes a difference. It brings your night up or your day up and that's wonderful.”
There is a saturated perception that jobs in hospitality are a gap filler, or something you do while you study, but it is people like Alex who prove hospitality is much more than that. “It can be a really rewarding place to be around supportive people as well. If you get into a really good job around supportive people in hospitality and you love what you do, and you’re passionate about selling your products, I think it's the place to be.”
