Jada Waters

I knew when I was the only child who’s parent didn’t force them to join the hospitality committee at church that I had a passion for it. But never did I ever imagine myself having a career in the food & bev/hospitality industry. As a child, there wasn’t much that surpassed my love for performing and I was convinced I was going to grow up to be a famous actress who also happened to be a choreographer. When I came of working age, I took a job (like most teenagers) at a local fast food restaurant. I quickly rose to be the top performer at that location. I wanted to be the best asset that I could be so I learned all there was to learn about each position, even management roles. After a few years, I took a job at a fast casual restaurant where I worked my way up the ranks from hostess to my current position - FOH manager. I went the fast casual route thinking I would be the cliché actress who works as a server until she gets her big break. Instead, I found myself passing on audition opportunities and working at the restaurant instead. It was something about the smiles on people’s faces when I gave good service or the energy from the regulars at my establishment that always kept me coming back. Being that I wasn’t performing as much, I still needed to get my art fix. Enter bartending. Being behind the bar became as much of my favorite playground as being on set/stage. Crafting that perfect cocktail for my guests and seeing their face light up after the first sip makes my day. I love being able to put different ingredients together and create something that appeases not only your tastebuds, but two other senses as well. I also love how you could give any two bartenders the same ingredients and they’d come up with two entirely different cocktails. There’s such a beautiful artistry in it. My ultimate goal is to curate a space where people can come relax while enjoying quality food and perfectly balanced signature cocktails without feeling as if they have to be overly dressed or extremely wealthy. I would love for my legacy to live on as a woman who took everything she learned about herself and used it to empower her community the way she was empowered by those who had a hand in shaping her - from the woman who raised her to the amazing faculty/professors at Spelman College, and all of her mentors in the food & bev/hospitality industry.