Keith Motsi
Head bartender at Charles H, Four Seasons Seoul
I started my bar career at the legendary Jake’s Bar in Leeds, UK. I worked part-time, clearing glasses on weekends as I was too young to serve alcohol, but I loved the atmosphere and knew then that the hospitality industry was for me. I moved to Arc Inspirations (Leeds), which had a great training program – and still do – and worked my way up the company before the lights of London beckoned me and I ended up at the original Soho House.
In 2017, Proof & Company approached me about joining an international hotel group in Asia. The fine gentleman Chris Lowder – general manager of Proof & Company, Greater China – sold me the dream, and I packed up and moved to Four Seasons Hotel Beijing to open EQUIS. Moving to Beijing was a standout moment and my first experience in Asia. I jumped in at the deep end but I received incredible support and love – everyone was so generous and helped me acclimate to China and Asia.
I was then offered the opportunity to transfer to Charles H at Four Seasons Seoul – currently number 29 on Asia’s 50 Best Bars list. It’s one of the most impressive properties in the company and for me to be offered the opportunity to lead the team at such a renowned bar – following in the big footsteps of Lorenzo Antinori, who left such a great legacy – was truly an amazing honour.
As a black person working in Asia, I’ve found the region more open and laid back compared to other countries when it comes to race, and have met a lot of great people willing to support me and aid my growth in the industry. Of course, anyone that is “different” experiences hiccups – and I think that can happen anywhere. However, I’ve found if you let your craftsmanship and manners do the talking, that’s what will define you, and from there you gain trust, respect and acceptance no matter who you are.
When it comes to mentors in the industry, it’s tough to choose, as many people over the years have given me support and encouragement. The ones with the most influence have challenged me to improve and grow, and I have chosen not to namecheck them as they know who they are and I will continue to make them proud. That said, not everyone was willing to support my success along the way, and because of that, I am committed to helping support and grow dedicated staff.
My advice for black people wishing to pursue a career in Asia’s bar industry is take the plunge! There are not many of us in Asia, and if you come with a healthy attitude to learn and teach, you will be an asset to anyone who hires you. Do not be scared about experiencing prejudice and don’t let it hold you back from being adventurous and working outside of your comfort zone. At some point, everyone suffers from some kind of prejudice in life – my Asian friends and colleagues have told me they experience it on a regular basis everywhere in the world. It happens to all of us.
Something I wish I knew when I first started out in hospitality is that meaningful connections matter. When someone gives you their details, follow up, and ensure that when you meet new people you try to be genuine – no one gets far without connections. I also know now that taking breaks is crucial. Your career is a marathon, not a sprint. We in hospitality sometimes get so consumed in taking care of strangers that we forget to take care of ourselves and those closest to us.
Right now, my goal is surviving the pandemic, and hoping my team, colleagues, friends and family all come through it mentally and physically healthy – that’s my main concern at the moment. I am making an extra effort to stay better connected with my friends and loved ones, as these challenging times have highlighted what is important in our lives.
There are some inspirational people I want to highlight. Ashish Sharma (Bar Trigona, Four Seasons Kuala Lumpur) – what he and the team are doing with trigona honey and their menu is so unique and vital to our ecosystem, and I feel like it’s a subject that needs even more attention than it gets. I also think Camille Vidal (La Maison Wellness) and Healthy Hospo are providing very worthwhile programs – mental health and well-being are swept under the carpet all too often.
