MY
GERRY WHITE Founder of Jawbox Gin
7. What do you think is the best thing about living in Northern Ireland? Without any doubt the people, the warmest, most friendly and welcoming in the world, that is why our hospitality industry shines through, also our countryside is absolutely beautiful. We really do have a lot going for us. 8. What is your mantra or favourite quote that you live by? If you are the smartest person in the room, then you are in the wrong room, and always treat others the way you would wish to be treated. 1. What do you love most about your job? I honestly think I am one of the luckiest people in the world to be working with a brand I created and to be working with an amazing team that brought that dream to reality. No two days are ever the same, from working at festivals and events, working on exciting new development projects and meeting some really amazing people. 2. What has been your career highlight to date? There have been so many since launching Jawbox Gin back in February 2016, I was extremely humbled by the amazing support I received from the hospitality and retail industries, it really was fantastic how they got behind the brand. I have also had the opportunity to meet some absolutely amazing people including the Irish President Michael D Higgins, Prince Charles, Kylie Minogue, Si King and Dave Myers (The Hairy Bikers) the late Charles Campion and Nick Knowles to name a few, but most of all I love meeting up with people that come along to the events and chatting with them, there is one thing guaranteed about the people here, they will be 100% no holds barred honest with you and let you know what they think, which is so refreshing. Other highlights have been picking up so many awards for Jawbox, the ones that stood out the most for me personally were winning ‘Best New Business Award’ at The Belfast Business Awards, Supplier/Product of the Year at the Institute of Hospitality Awards and winning the Best Gin in the UK at the Quality Food and Drink Awards in London. 3. What are your favourite hobbies/ activities outside of work? I have a real passion for travel and good food. I have been very lucky to have travelled widely, having already visited most European
cities, and also parts of South Africa, Vietnam, China, Cambodia, The Philippines, USA, Iceland and Cuba. There are still so many places left to visit on the bucket list including Japan and Argentina. 4. What is your daily routine? During normal times there really wasn’t a routine as everyday was different, you could be working late into the night at an event one evening and maybe on another day up at a ridiculous early hour to catch a flight for a trade show or launch. Now during the lockdowns I’m mostly working from home in a much more relaxed mode. I always maintained getting up early and starting the day with a good breakfast, but I do miss the buzz and excitement of being where it’s all happening. 5. Do you have a fitness regime? I have to hold my hands up and admit that I have never been to a gym in my life! Having some extra time on my hands and being locked down I have started to do some very basic exercises at home to help make up for the lack of mad running about that would have been normal. 6. Do you have any tips for staying positive during this time? I have always been the eternal optimist, it’s just in my nature and I know I am very lucky to have been able to always try and find a positive in almost every situation, but I am also very aware that this is not the case for everyone. A few tips would be to surround yourself with as many positive thinking people as you can, ration the amount of news you watch on TV or listen to on the radio, turn off your phone and other devices when you have the opportunity, and listen to your favourite music. Go for long walks and eat well using the freshest ingredients you can find. 24
9. Who has been your biggest influence? No one person in particular, but being brought up in Belfast during its darkest days and watching amazing business people not only rebuild but invest, develop and grow their businesses through some of the toughest times, people like Michael Deane, Willie Jack, Niall Mckenna, Michael Stewart, Bill Wolsey, the Hastings family and all the small bar and restaurant owners who made this place a destination that people from around the world want to come back to visit time and time again. They are my heroes.
10. FAVOURITE Movie: Gladiator, Green Book, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing and The Upside Band/Musician: Moving Hearts, Alex French Book: When All Is Said by Anne Griffin and The Life And Loves Of A He Devil by Graham Norton Restaurant: Any of the Deanes Restaurants, James St, Hadskis, Shu, The Barking Dog, OX and Neven Maguire’s MacNean House, Blacklion for the best tasting menu Holiday Destination: Anywhere around southern Asia, South Africa, Ireland Drink: Negroni (Made with Jawbox Gin of course) Meal: A shared one, surrounded by friends and a large side of wine and laughter
