By anyone’s standards, George has had a stellar career in the hospitality industry, having now opened and/or been responsible for 22 bars and restaurants, all in 5-star hotels, before the age of 40.  He has led restaurants which have been rated No.1 on Trip Advisor, notably the well-known “Goji Kitchen & Bar” at the Marriott Queens Park in Bangkok, which really set the benchmark and started the new trend of the “buffet restaurant”.  He has become “a great juggler”, one clear example of this when he was part of the opening team at the St. Regis in Bangkok, managing Private Dining to the Hotel and Residences, then augmenting his role to also include controlling the pool bar, the fitness centre and then taking on All-Day Dining as well.  George informed me that the best piece of career advice he had ever been given was to take any and all opportunities, even if you don’t feel ready for them. I suppose that is another version of the well-known, “Fake it until you make it.” George has certainly embraced this fine advice, thrown himself in at the deep end, and fortunately found he is an accomplished swimmer.  It is almost as if George doesn’t acknowledge there might be things he just can’t do. Moving from Colorado to Thailand was a key decision which completely changed George’s lifepath.

Working in Food and Beverage roles in the hospitality industry has afforded George the opportunity to travel and live outside England in glamorous settings such as the ski resort of Aspen in Colorado, Malta and a number of places in Thailand, and serve and mingle with American movie stars, high-wealth individuals from renown families and British royalty. But although each successive move has been a positive one in terms of George’s career, since March 2020 he has found the one place he can truly feel comfortable, right here in Hua Hin.

Big city life is not for George.  He has been there, done that, and now savours the slower pace of life that living in Hua Hin provides, although that doesn’t mean that 10 -12-hour workdays in his capacity as Director of Food and Beverage at the Marriott Resort and Spa are not the norm.  There have been a number of factors that have steered George to life outside a highly urban environment.  One has been his increasing claustrophobia which makes commuting on packed public transport very challenging, and another is that he has quite severe tinnitus, and so prefers an environment without additional noise pollution.  The more relaxed pace of life in Hua Hin suits his needs perfectly, while access to a wide variety of services is easy, and nothing seems more than a short drive away.  George has found that while the bulk of Hua Hin’s non-native population, either as tourists or retired expats, are focused on pursuing a leisurely lifestyle, Hua Hin is actually far from being the sleepy little seaside town that some still try to portray it as. In that, my experience in this writing series would have me concur. Just scratch the surface, and there is actually a lot happening here. Sure, George could suggest some improvements he would like to see made in Hua Hin, such as reducing traffic congestion through the centre of town and the establishment of a public swimming pool, but on the whole, Hua Hin fits into the “Goldilocks zone”.  It is just right.

George was born and raised in Norwich, in Norfolk, England.  He recalls having a very happy childhood with his parents and elder sister.  George’s mother worked as a school cook, providing nutritious lunches to the students, while his father was a long-distance truck driver.  George cherishes the memories of days when his father had a shorter journey and he was able to join him during school holidays.  He also has vivid memories of hiking and camping holidays as a family, and of his mother’s strict rules that during the summer months, the children would amuse themselves in the garden from 8am till 6pm. Certainly, the television was out-of-bounds.  George is still a passionate hiker and enjoys the ready access to National Parks nearby, though dual entry pricing is still a bone of contention for him, as a tax-payer in this country.

Never one to do nothing and always having an active brain, George found ways from a young age to engage in the workforce and so make money. If it were possible to time travel, he would ensure his teenage-self embarked on a savings strategy even earlier, and only invested in land or bricks-and-mortar. From the age of 12 or thereabouts, George was washing cars and mucking out dog kennels, and by 14 was working shifts in a pub. The lure of the pound was strong, and homework and study had limited appeal.  George was also plagued by dyslexia, and although his teachers generally believed he had potential, he admits he had no interest in things academic. As a teacher, I cringed to hear that one cruel teacher told his mother that George would never amount to much.  George imagines with glee that teacher seeing where he is now, and I can’t fault him for that. Indeed, George credits his greatest achievement as getting to where he is now, without even formally completing his high school and college education with anything better than a D-grade. Now, as a mature-aged student, he believes he will have the focus and determination to gain those university credentials that will sit so well on his resume, having already been a part of 4 teams opening brand new luxury hotels.

One character aspect George acknowledges still needs work is his propensity for quick frustration, particularly with his personal nemesis, electronics.  He readily admits to taking a hammer to technology that refuses to work as he expects.  George does have an extremely gentle side as well.  His latest personal venture into the hospitality industry, Roi Song, a new bar and restaurant on Soi 102 (which is the meaning of the Thai name) is now home to two tiny precious kittens found alone and abandoned. George’s partner Max keeps pet rabbits, though George’s preference for a pet would be a cute piglet (cue the thought of superb bacon at a later stage) or a goldfish.  George admires that they lead perfectly satisfied lives with just clean water and a regular small feed. Perhaps at times he wishes he could turn off his constantly active brain and live the simple life of a goldfish. He definitely would like to find someone to teach him how to relax, and how not to feel guilty in prioritising himself more.

George has recently faced several big changes in his life.  His favourite place on earth has always been back in the UK, with his father, who sadly passed away recently. They had a very close relationship, and George looked to him as a best friend as well as a dad. This fondness for older, and perhaps wiser, people has been a feature of George’s friendship group since his teens.  He is drawn to people considerably older than himself and tells me many of his friends are now in their 60s. George admits he has a fondness for vintage style and vintage items.  He loves old clocks, has a personal wax seal for letters, collects straight razors and fountain pens.  I don’t suppose his circle of friends would appreciate being labelled “vintage”, however, unless you were speaking in the context of a vintage wine: well preserved and exceptionally classy.

The other major change has to do with Max’s family, who have recently moved to Hua Hin to be close to Max and George, but also to have better access to essential medical services for Max’s mother, who is unfortunately battling with cancer. She needs medical care that was not readily available in north-eastern Thailand.  George has provided some finance and his considerable expertise in hospitality to help the family set up the new restaurant and bar, Roi Song, that they are now running.  While Hua Hin boasts many Thai restaurants, I am convinced that this one can be considered a local gem, with its multifaceted menu and comfortable, relaxed ambience.

George, Max and the family have opted for an open-air feel by using natural construction materials as much as possible, have incorporated a bright flowering courtyard garden, have used charming lighting and quirky art and décor items, and a carefully curated mishmash of coloured chairs to create a unique space for chilling and enjoying a quiet drink (or more) with friends, all the while bringing the highest of standards in regard to hygiene and food safety. The menu has started as predominantly Isan dishes, cooked by Max’s mother.  They are customisable in their spiciness to suit more delicate palates, but stay true to northern traditions and do not attempt a fusion approach.  There are also be some Western standards on the menu, such as steak and chips.  From October, when George will be joined in Hua Hin by his mother and step-father, the menu will expand again as she brings her skill with Indian curries into the kitchen by training the family on all the lovely spices and Indian cooking methods they can introduce to the kitchen. Of course, the bar will be offering a comprehensive array of drinks, the gin and tonic being an absolute standout.  Roi Song has a bright future indeed, with so many family members playing to their strengths, and with George keeping an eye on the establishment’s performance as well.

Here are a few more fun snippets you might like to know about George, who describes himself as a witty, sensitive yet traditional sort of guy.  The best compliment he has ever received was at the age of 19 or 20, in the only gay bar in his home town, from a pair of lesbians who were fascinated by his sexy voice. His favourite meal is roast chicken with all the accompaniments.  George sports a tattoo of Rupert the Bear, in his red coat, on his forearm, since Rupert was his dad’s favourite. I suppose a tattoo or two is mandatory if you want to ride a 950cc bike and be taken seriously. George has a great fondness for vintage cars as well, and has recently purchased a 1973 Ford Escort which he plans to lovingly restore to its former glory, with willing assistance from his step-father, who also faces a health challenge, having recently been diagnosed with the early stages of Parkinson’s disease.  Working together on the Escort will undoubtedly be a joint delight to the pair.

There are two particular pieces of wisdom that resonate with George.  The first is that you should live today like it’s your last day on Earth.  The second is a quote from Mark Twain: “Never argue with stupid people, they will drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience.” George doesn’t suffer fools gladly. Indeed, as you enter Roi Song from the carpark there is a sign which says that no stupid people are permitted beyond that point.  Enough said!