LIVING in a suburban village in North Rupununi, Flazo Francis felt limited and wanted to explore the possibilities.

As such, he decided to leave his home village and started high school in Region Four, sensing he was meant for greater things and had to work towards achieving them.

At age 10, he bid farewell to his family in Massara, North Rupununi and went to live with his grandmother in Enterprise Village, East Coast Demerara to attend high school.

Francis always knew that achieving his goals would not be easy, but he did not give up and honed his skills until he was among the best in his circle of peers.

After completing high school, he was fixated on pursuing studies in medicine, but due to financial constraints, he was forced to seek another alternative career.

Even though he didn’t derive from a family of wealth, Francis used the opportunities at hand to make himself somebody, since he was not the kind of person who would sit idly by.

As such, at age 17, he introduced himself to the food and beverage industry, where he secured a job with a Brazilian restaurant in Bartica and spent five years there.

He learned a lot from the job and can now speak fluent Portuguese.

Having equipped himself in the food and beverage industry, Francis returned to the city, where things changed for him; he worked at several bars but felt that wasn’t enough

Francis wanted more, to challenge himself, and when he was introduced to cocktail-making, he was intrigued by the process and knew his creativity would be beneficial.

He related that along the way there were many obstacles, but he worked with good people who encouraged him, and he was able to overcome those obstacles. So when an opportunity presented itself when he was selected for a training course that Ansa McAl Distribution Inc sponsored, he made use of it.

Francis was trained to become a certified mixologist specialising in mojitos with the Bacardi and Latin brands recognised in South America.

However, he used his newfound training to work locally and became recognised for his skills. He has a passion for cocktails, and after some time he twice entered the Guyana Rum Festival Cocktail Mix Off before he finally qualified among the top five.
During this time, he recalled he was working at the Altitude Bar. When COVID-19 hit, he went back home to Massara, North Rupununi, to spend time with his family.

In 2023, Francis won the coveted title of a certified mixologist, and he was elated. He later began working at Froggy’s Restaurant and Bar and he met Lenny Scotty, now owner of Scotty’s Smoke House at Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown, who motivated him.
He told the Pepperpot Magazine that he was later employed as the head bartender at Scotty’s Smoke House and was promoted to Bar Manager.

“So far, the experience has been good. It’s a team effort and having been promoted in a three-week period that really empowered me to do more and it is a good feeling to be rewarded for hard work,” he said.
Francis stated that despite challenges, he came from humble beginnings, and today, he has utilised the opportunities that came his way and made something of himself. He feels truly proud and blessed to be able to do so.
“I’m truly grateful for everyone who made a great impact and input in my life, who continues to show love and support to my success and achievements,” he said.
He would like to give back to the community to help upcoming bartenders and mixologists; even small-business entrepreneurs by providing his expertise in giving them a chance to learn, grow, and invest to add value to Guyana’s food and beverage industry.