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Rosana Duran of Guy Harvey’s Island Grill

Rosana Duran did not travel to the Cayman Islands from the frozen north like so many bartenders seeking warmer climes. Already well familiar with the Caribbean thanks to her home country of the Dominican Republic, she wanted to explore islands within the region, which brought her to our shores (and Guy Harvey’s Island Grill) in 2005.
 
Rosana was born and grew up in the city of Santo Domingo. Bitten by the bug of the hospitality industry at a young age due to the high volume of tourist trade that visited annually, she went into training for two years to learn every aspect of the restaurant, hotel and bar business. She was taught about all the different liquors and liqueurs along with mixology and serving. By the time she was in her early 20s she was ready to move on from practice to the real thing.
 
After gaining some experience in the Dominican Republic she realised the advantage of having skills that granted her mobility. There were jobs and places to be discovered elsewhere, and so she began to look for international opportunities. The Cayman Islands appealed for a number of reasons, not the least of which was the sunny summers and balmy winters she was already used to. Rosana packed her bags and crossed the Caribbean Sea to Grand Cayman, eager to begin the next chapter of her life.
 
She soon found employment at Guy Harvey’s Island Grill as a server and after a few years was offered the position of bartender by manager Bruno Deluche. Her personable and professional manner was a hit with customers, and so she was essentially promoted to centre stage. Since then Rosana has gone from strength to strength and built up a solid local base of regulars who stop by to see her on a weekly basis.
 
When asked what it is that she likes about living and working in the Cayman Islands, she finds it hard to focus on just one aspect of either. She loves the beaches and the magnificent view of the harbour from Guy Harvey’s enviable location in the heart of the waterfront. She praises the team of people with whom she works, more like family than business associates; and many customers have gone from being patrons to friends over the years. It feels more like a social get together than a job – who could complain about that?
 
Guy Harvey’s Island Grill has always had a lot to recommend it – a terrific atmosphere, comfortable décor and great food. Rosana is a wonderful asset to this popular restaurant that embodies the essence of island living with its warmth and myriad of colours. Stop by and see her today for a fruity cocktail or a cold beer. The only thing she likes better than chatting with tourists and residents is seeing their smiles when they get a taste of the terrific beverages she serves up with a smile!   WH