Islanders urged to donate to ex-Awabi mixologist's thumb surgery

Wednesday 24 July 2024

The owners of a local pan-Asian restaurant are urging islanders to donate to help their former cocktail mixologist pay for his thumb reattachment after a "devastating accident" with a machete.

Awabi owners Stephen and Hayley Yu said they were "devastated" to find out that former employee Ben Morgan had lost his thumb whilst working on an island resort in Malaysia.

Ben's friends and family have launched an online fundraising page to help pay for the "life-changing procedure" he needs to reattach his thumb and continue his career as "an incredible bartender and mixologist".

Pictured: A post on the thumb reattachment fundraising page described Ben as "an incredible bartender and mixologist".

The GoFundMe page reads: "Ben is not just any bartender; he is a true artist behind the bar.

"His creativity and passion for mixology have brought joy to countless visitors at our island resort.

"His smile, dedication, and extraordinary talent make him a beloved figure in our community."

This sentiment is echoed by Awabi co-owner Stephen, who described Ben as "a great guy, an outstanding employee, and a very talented mixologist and musician".

Pictured: Stephen and Hayley Yu, siblings and owners of Awabi, are urging islanders to donate to help their former cocktail creator.

Stephen explained that bartender Ben was one of the first employees when the pan-Asian restaurant opened in 2021 – and is responsible for many of the cocktails that remain on the menu to this day.

He said: "When we were opening, Awabi was all about bringing new flavours in terms of food – but the other half of that was the drinks.

"We were so lucky to get Ben. He was probably the only person on the island at the time who could match that energy that we bought with the food.

"He was making crazy inventions."

Although Ben left Awabi and Jersey in 2022, Stephen and Hayley heard about their former employee's accident from a mutual friend on social media.

"We were really devastated to hear about it because this is a man who works primarily with his hands," said Stephen.

"To lose your thumb is just a horrible thing for anyone to go through, regardless of what your craft is or what your employment is, or who you are.

"It's just terrifying."

Pictured: Ben was one of the first employees of Awabi, a pan-Asian restaurant based in Halkett Place.

This spurred the Awabi owners to make a sizeable donation towards Ben's thumb surgery – and they are now urging other islanders to do the same.

"Ben helped build Awabi into what it is today," said Stephen. "He's a former employee and we have really fond memories of him.

"I was really sad and upset to see him go, so the least we could do was pay to help get his thumb functioning and get his life back on track."

He continued: "To all the public who've tasted any of Ben's cocktails, I urge you to donate.

"Ben elevated the whole cocktail scene of Jersey. People underestimate how groundbreaking his cocktails were.

"If cocktails are more fun and exciting in Jersey today, that's because of him – he was the pioneer."

Stephen added: "Anyone who has drunk at Awabi and continues to drink our cocktails at Awabi owes Ben a thumb at least!"

DONATE...

You can donate to Ben's thumb reattachment fundraiser HERE.