The future is yours to create: Dheeradon “Gotji” Dissara

Dheeradon “Gotji” Dissara, a passionate bartender from Thailand, proudly represented his country and won the 2024 Campari Red Hands Asia final held in Milan. Known for his creativity and calm mindset, Gotji combined unique flavors and his local culture to create a winning cocktail that impressed the judges on this international stage.

A little bit about me

I’m currently working as the General Manager for Sugarray Group in Bangkok. I first joined the hospitality industry after winning an online competition. That experience helped me realize how much I enjoy working in this field. Since then, I’ve really fallen in love with the energy, the people, and the creativity that comes with the job.

The part I enjoy most is being creative. I like making things with my hands, coming up with new ideas, and meeting great people along the way. Every day is different, and that’s something I really appreciate.

“I’ve really fallen in love with the energy, the people, and the creativity that comes with the job.”

What makes me happy is traveling, visiting new places and seeing the smiles of people around me. I love learning from different places and enjoying small moments with others.

What drives me? Honestly, money is one motivation haha! But more than that, I think it’s the feeling of “self-success.” That means reaching my own goals, doing my best, and feeling proud of what I’ve built by myself.

How I approach my work

The best advice I’ve ever been given is: “If you can’t fix it, it’s not a problem.” This helped me a lot. It means if something is out of your control, don’t waste energy worrying about it. Just focus on what you can do. That thinking really helps me, especially when things get busy or stressful at work.

To feel like I’m growing in my career, I need a few things. Everyone is different, but for me, one big thing is being seen and respected by others in the industry. When other people in hospitality notice my work, it feels good. Another thing that helps me feel like I’m moving forward is reaching my own goals, like winning competitions. That gives me a strong feeling of success.

Yes, I think brands are very important for our industry. They support us in many ways, with events, trainings, and giving bartenders chances to grow. When brands work well with the community, it helps everyone.

My experience in Campari Red Hands 2024

Representing my country at the Campari Red Hands final was both a big responsibility and a special moment for me. It felt like pressure, but in a good way. I was proud and thankful to be chosen. It meant a lot to stand on that stage for my country.

Being in Milan also made a big difference to my mindset. The energy of the city helped me feel inspired and more focused. I had time to rest, think, and enjoy the experience. Visiting Milan was one of my dreams, and this competition helped me make it come true.

The hardest part of the competition for me was overthinking. Sometimes I got too caught up in my own thoughts. In the end, I just told myself, “Be yourself.” That helped me stay calm and enjoy the moment more.

My cocktail for the final was an umami-bomb Negroni. I also created a special soundtrack to go with it. The music helped bring out the umami and sweet flavors in the drink. It was all about mixing taste and sound to create a full experience.

“Sometimes I got too caught up in my own thoughts. In the end, I just told myself, “Be yourself.” That helped me stay calm and enjoy the moment more.”

I brought a part of my culture into my presentation, I added a bit of Thai humor and used some Thai words. It was my way of showing who I am and where I come from, while still keeping it fun.

One of the best things I learned from the other finalists was to always stay friendly, kind, and smiling, win or lose. That energy made the whole journey better, and I’ll carry that with me wherever I go.

The thing I’m most proud of is winning. It showed me that the hard work was worth it. I proved something to myself, that I can really do this.

For anyone competing next year, my advice is simple. Understand the challenge fully, and don’t only focus on the drink. Every part of the competition matters, from the concept to the presentation.

Did the competition change how I see myself as a bartender? Not really. I’m still the same person before and after. But now, I have more experience, more memories, and more motivation.

What’s next? Just wait and see. Stay tuned. More exciting things are coming.