Keisha Shakespeare-Blackmore, Staff Reporter

Family is the most important thing to the lovely Patrice McHugh, the dynamo behind Bars To Go. - Colin Hamilton/Freelance Photographer

Patrice McHugh is the first Jamaican to obtain a master's degree in mixology. She scored second highest in a class of 85 students from the United States of America.

McHugh is the managing director of the popular Bars to Go and her husband operates the food side of the business, Gourmet to Go. The 29-year-old entrepreneur was not always interested in mixology. In fact, like many young girls, she wanted to become a flight attendant. That faded, however, when she went to Merl Grove High School, where her focus shifted to wanting to become a chartered accountant.

At age 19 she was employed by Kingston Hub Distributors Limited as an accounting clerk. The company had a party service side to it and she got the opportunity to attend many parties. That led to working at the parties to make extra cash and later she became the party service manager. In 2003, she gave birth to daughter Makayla. Thereafter, she realised the company's vision and direction were not on par with hers, so she decided to venture into her own business. Encouraged by her husband and friends, she took the plunge into the unknown in 2004 and started Bars to Go.

Transition

"The transition was not that difficult because I knew suppliers and people in the business. Plus, I had a support system. I could also rely on my husband if the business failed because he was in a stable job." She noted that she could not have done it without him because while she was working full-time, he took care of their daughter.

The business began with 30 contracted workers and one full-time member of staff. She had to borrow storage space for her supplies at friends' homes. The business has grown and there are now 300 contracted workers and 22 full-time members of staff. At the outset, the most challenging aspect of the business was finding a good location at a reasonable cost, with adequate warehouse space. Another major obstacle was training staff.

Shortly after the business took off, it evolved into more than just bar service and began offering food as well. She soon realised that at every event, enquiries were made as to whether they offered food as well, hence the birth of Gourmet to GO.

"Our focus shifted to providing a one-stop shop where people could get both food and bar service, even a venue."

Many blessings

After five years in the business, McHugh is grateful for her many blessings. The most rewarding thing is that she completed the master's course, and with the second highest score in the class.

Currently, she is working with molecular mixology - bringing a scientific approach to mixology - a process that intensifies the flavours in cocktails. This can be achieved by using one of the following methods: foam, gelatine gels or fire which she is currently working with. She recently began learning to use liquid nitrogen from New York's top liquid chef, Junior Marino.

Recently, she teamed with her husband to open a new company, B2G (Premium Beverage and Catering Solutions) that will cater to more intimate functions. With a hectic work schedule, McHugh's hands are full, but she still makes time for family, the most important part of her life.