Publisher's Synopsis
Behind resorts' postcard-worthy facades lies a world unseen by vacationers sipping fruity cocktails-the tireless work required to delight them daily. Orrin Campbell lifts the curtain on this ceaseless backstage ballet in his unfiltered memoir.
From pot washer to elite executive, Campbell's odyssey exposes the harsh realities weathered by Jamaica's hospitality armies. His candid stories pull no punches detailing the mental, emotional and physical tolls extracted by the industry's crushing demands. Tales of ghostly graveyard shifts and heart-stopping robberies illuminate the grit fueling service with a smile. Yet amongst the madness, lifelines emerge. A dining room supervisor mentors Campbell on wine nuances between shifts, gifting handwritten tasting guides compiled over decades. Friendships form bussing tables, bonds of shared sacrifice yielding solidarity. In staff breakrooms, community sprouts organically to nourish weary souls. The endless hustle fuels Campbell's relentless quest for excellence. Obsessively honing skills, he ascends from server to manager, implementing frameworks to elevate standards at each chaotic outpost. Through defiant optimism and care for colleagues, he wrings opportunity from adversity.
Campbell bares his scars and triumphs to inspire current hospitality troops. For hopefuls seeking meaningful careers, his story provides blueprints to excel. Most of all, he sparks hope that by valuing dedicated workers, positive change can ripple across Jamaica's tourism landscape.
Tip your glass to the crazy ones convinced hospitality's madness and magic makes living worth its glorious uncertainty. Campbell's gritty memoir guarantees an insider's glimpse behind the curtain.
