Declan McGurk

It is Monday again, three days to Christmas, and the last episode of “Monday motivation – Felix asks” for 2020. Six questions and six episodes later, I am excited to welcome an inspiring leader and passionate hospitality professional for today’s edition. 

It is a shame that this is not a podcast because he is a great speaker. He calls himself a passionate bar and beverages specialist, but many out there dub him a legend. 

Declan McGurk ran the Bars at The Savoy for more than seven exciting years. Years marked with awards and recognitions. In 2017, the American Bar received the award for the World´s Best Bar by Worlds 50 Best Bars, and in 2019 Declan was awarded Best Bar Manager in the UK at the Class Bar Awards. As of October, this year, Declan started his role as Commercial Director at the Boatyard Distillery – an award-winning farm-to-bottle distillery located on the banks of Lough Erne in north-west Ireland. 

For the past two years, I entertained my clients in the two Bars, overlooked by Declan, and every time it was simply magical. The customized service paired with delicious drinks while observing all different kinds of people enjoying their visits. 

Now, please pour your favourite drink and enjoy the read. 

Question 1: Where did you start your career? 

Declan McGurk (DMG): “I started my career in 1999 as a cocktail bartender in Leeds, Yorkshire, UK. The bar was called "The Square on the Lane”, and it was a big volume place. I loved it and made lifelong friends working there. It focussed mainly on training, so my development of the basics in step 1 was a good school. It also was well known for flair Bartending where you throw the bottles in the air that got me hooked, and when I should have been studying, I was instead in my room practicing to flair.”

Question 2: What does hospitality mean to you? 

DMG: “It is all about meeting and connecting with people. Working in hospitality, you will meet great guests and work with like-minded people. These relationships that are formed are magical. I have recently found my first pen pal (via email), as after leaving The Savoy, I have been sharing regular long emails about all sorts with someone I met whilst they were a guest. They live in San Francisco, and it is just a fascinating dialogue of conversation about all sorts. Then there is the connection made with team members which run very deep, and I am so close to so many of them. They become very much extended family.”

Question 3: Can you please share an anecdote you experienced, that shows the variety and beauty of our industry? 

DMG: “Whilst running the bars at the Savoy we were very proud of our drinks offering and delivery. So often the guests would become very involved in the concept and ask many questions. An inevitable question that was often raised to me, ‘"where do you like to go drinking and what do you drink when there?" My response would usually be one that I love having a pint of Guinness in a good London boozer. I spent so much of my life standing in the nicest luxury bars and when I left work my dream would always be to dress down, relax, and enjoy a pint. When I would tell a guest this it always seemed to cause a further connection as the person in the suit suddenly became human.”

Question 4: Have you had a mentor in your career? Who was it and did she/he give you the advice you still follow?

DMG: “My greatest mentor is Martin Wolstencroft the CEO of Arc Inspirations. I worked under Martin for the best part of a decade. He taught me the importance of leadership and how to protect it. It is important to be yourself, make decisions, communicate them well with passion, and most importantly look after those you are working with. Martin is still to this day leading from the front and doesn’t ever duck a challenge ahead.”

Question 5: What would you like to say to a hospitality/ tourism student or professional who recently started his/her career, at this right moment? 

DMG: “I think the important thing for any person starting in their career is that they take the wheel and drive. Don’t wait for opportunities to present themselves but instead make the decisions yourself. There will be obstacles and roadblocks but when they occur take a moment and re-think how to get to the next destination.” 

Question 6: Do you have a book recommendation - this could be everything from a novel to an autobiography, etc. 

DMG: “I was in a bad accident in 2018 and I used reading to keep my mind active. It was almost a rediscovery of the therapy a good book can offer. I now always have a book on the go, and it has become a great passion of mine. In terms of what I read, I tend to alternate between fact and fiction. I see a lot of professional people reading self-development books all the time and that’s great but throw some fiction in there. It helps the creative juices flow, which in hospitality are a great way to get noticed. One novel I would suggest everyone should read is Bram Stoker’s, Dracula. The writing style is incredible and whilst it is a story, we all know, to read it properly is a great journey.”

Extra: If you need to create a drink describing 2020, what would go into the shaker? 

DMG: “That would be a Charlie Chaplin cocktail. It is 30ml sloe gin, 30ml apricot brandy, and 25ml lime juice. The reason why I suggest this cocktail as it is a drink that doesn’t take itself too seriously will please all and like the name origins is a bit of a comedian. We have to find ways to keep smiling even when various challenges are in front of us.”

Declan, thank you so much for taking your time. I would like to end today’s episode with a quote from Charlie Chaplin and I hope that next year, we will look back at 2020 and say, thank god Charlie Chaplin was right.

“Nothing is permanent in this wicked world - not even our troubles.”

Cheers.