YOU BEAUTY! BARTENDER’S BIG WIN
PAOLO Gabrielloni was convinced he couldn’t win U.G.L.Y. Bartender of the Year because of his Italian good looks.
But winning the Leukaemia Foundation’s annual competition was still a ‘bel momento’ for the 39-year-old, who works at Isle of Capri’s Edgewater Dining.
“I thought maybe it was because I was Italian it was impossible to win an ugly competition,” Mr Gabrielloni said. “I think the name of the competition is genius because everyone who walks in always asked me why I am wearing a shirt that says ‘I’m Ugly’, it is the perfect ice breaker to talk about Leukaemia.”
Mr Gabrielloni, who moved to the Gold Coast from Sanremo in Italy eight years ago, raised a whopping $37,000 to take first place in Australia in the unique U.G.L.Y. (Understanding, Generous, Likeable, You) contest.
He was inspired to support the cause shortly after discovering his friend’s mother was suffering from leukaemia.
“Wayne Sunders was one of the first friends I made when I moved here and it was very sad to hear about what his family and he were going through,” Mr Gabrielloni said.
Mr Gabrielloni said his victory was a group effort.
“I thank our generous patrons and my managers Peter and Tracey too, but they must not like my hair very much because they gave me a big donation of $5,000 to get rid of it,” he said.