Making a Drink and Someone's Day: Meet Curry Lund, 2023 Bartender Star of the Year

“Every shift is a chance to make someone have a better day,” says Curry Lund, the all-star bartender from Holland who’s become locally famous for more than his unforgettable martinis and margaritas.  

Originally from Traverse City, Curry has made a difference in the West Michigan hospitality scene, working at Big E’s Sports Grill in Holland and serving up the kind of drinks and experiences that guests return for again and again. He has become a community fixture at Big E’s, known for his impressive work ethic and ability to make people smile.  
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“A 10-second interaction with him will have you laughing and feeling good,” said his coworkers.  

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But Curry is the kind of person whose positivity doesn’t  end at closing time. He’s also known for being a team player and an encouraging leader to his peers, supporting the launch of two more restaurants for the company and handling vendor relations as well. 

​​“He goes above and beyond to not only serve our guests and leave them wanting to come back, but he will also change our day,” said his coworkers, who nominated him for the MRLA’s Stars of the Industry Awards, the premier hospitality awards ceremony in Michigan.  

His passion has not gone unnoticed as Lund was  the 2023 winner of the all-new publicly voted Bartender Star of the Year Award at the MRLA's annual Star of the Industry Awards. Curry says the Bartender Star of the Year award is his proudest accomplishment in his career. 

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​With over 25 years in the restaurant industry, starting with a job scooping ice cream at Baskin Robbins as a teenager, his positivity has driven his success and longevity in the  industry.  

 “My advice to any getting started in the industry is to bring a positive, upbeat, outgoing attitude every day,” he says, adding that the biggest misconception about the foodservice industry is that it’s only a part-time job. With new guests and different questions and situations always cropping up in his job, plus the ability to create positive experiences for real people, Curry has found a meaningful career in hospitality.  
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“I chose hospitality because you get a chance to meet new people every day. Just going one step above to make someone’s day – I just enjoy it,” he says. 

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The Stars of the Industry Awards is an annual ceremony to recognize the outstanding members of Michigan's hospitality industry who demonstrate exceptional professionalism and creativity in their careers, going above and beyond to contribute to the positive image of the industry. This is the premier award given to hospitality professionals in Michigan. Learn more about the Stars of the Industry Awards at mrla.org/stars ​

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