Woodbury Resident Needs Your Help To Become ‘Rumologist’

Woodbury resident Phil Thompson has made it to the final round of the Tommy Bahama “Rumologist” contest.

Now, asking the community to vote for him—he has made it into the top five for the online contest.

On Monday, We asked Thompson for the scoop.

Woodbury Patch: What is a "rumologist"?

Phil Thompson: A rumologist is really just a variation of the classic “mixologist,” or bartender—more specifically it’s someone who has an affinity for rum and the “island way of life.” In this case it’s referring to the official spokesperson for Tommy Bahama’s line of rum in their first ever “rumologist” contest.  

Currently, Tommy Bahama is searching the country to find their first ever rumologist to travel the globe for a year, make awesome island-inspired cocktails, and be the face for their brand.

I’ve been lucky enough to beat out hundreds of contestants across the country and am now in the top five. Pretty sweet, huh?

Patch: Why did you decide to try to for the spot?

Thompson: This position really embodies who I am. I have over 10 years of experience in the restaurant and hospitality industry, working all across the country at restaurants, bars, hotels and resorts.

I love hospitality and travel (especially to tropical resorts) and my favorite “spirit” is, without a doubt, rum… And to honest, this really just sounded like the dream job to me—I thought to myself it’s kind of like winning Powerball, “It’s gotta happen to someone.”

Patch: How can people help?

Thompson: Now that I’m in the top five, the winner will be announced based solely on how many votes they can get over this week (Oct. 3-9). It would mean the world to me for people to take a few seconds out of their busy day and head over to the Tommy Bahama Facebook page and vote for Phil Thompson (http://www.facebook.com/tommybahama?sk=app_195242107208514).

Sharing this contest with friends through email and Facebook never hurt either! 

Patch: How does this fit with your music career?

Thompson: As I continue to pursue a career as a full-time musician, I realize the most important thing is getting in front of as many people as possible. I would love nothing more than to be entertaining guests on the piano while sharing Tommy Bahama cocktails for the year ahead. Who knows—maybe I’ll even be able to write a new Tommy Bahama jingle or something.

Patch: What's your go-to drink?

Thompson: All calories aside? Just kidding. If I could have only drink for the rest of my life, it would be the piña colada, I love the taste, the texture, and the fact that 99 percent of the time when I’m having one I’m either on a beach or by a pool, they always bring back great memories.  

Patch: Anything else we should know?

Thompson: Winning this contest would be the opportunity of a lifetime. As an aspiring musician this would be the “break” I’ve been working to catch for the past few years; I’m excited and humbled with what this position would mean to me.  

I can’t thank all my friends and family in Woodbury for helping to get behind me on this one. Who knows, next time it might be you we’re voting for!