Chef Adrain Harrow has been creatively stirring up exquisite food for more than 12 twelve years. Born in the culinary paradise of the south, East Baton Rouge, La., and raised in the suburbs of Cincinnati and Atlanta, Harrow’s experiences started in the kitchen with his mother (a pastry chef), aunts and both paternal and maternal grandmothers.
The kitchen was only the beginning of his love for great food. Harrow studied culinary arts at Le Cordon Bleu where he sharpened his skills and learned the value of good nutrition. Upon graduation, he worked in several restaurants in the Cincinnati and Atlanta area and served an internship at a well-known corporate company. Under the auspices of a renowned chef who required that all the products in the restaurant be made from scratch, Harrow perfected a delectable product he dubbed Unique Syrups. Venturing out on his own has allowed Harrow to continue his love for cooking by way of mixology and at the same time create flavorful, all-natural syrups for bars, restaurants and special events.
Tell us about your product, Unique Syrups.
Made from all-natural ingredients, Unique Syrups is a great-tasting “better for you” top quality syrup to enhance alcohol or food in an unimaginable way. Drizzle it on a stack of pancakes, add a dollop to alcohol, coffee, tea, or glaze poultry. Our product isn’t simply syrup, it’s a customized experience with bold flavors and sweet aromas that tantalize the senses and explode the palate. Unique Syrups contain no artificial flavors, no artificial colors and no artificial sweeteners, and do not contain any preservatives, making it a perfectly flavored syrup for the entire family.
Unique Syrups are made with a 20 percent sugar ratio and can be customized with the consumer’s sweetener of choice. Our signature flavor, Vanilla-Scotch, infuses the delectable taste of aged scotch with the aromatic delight of fresh vanilla bean. No matter the flavor of choice, once you experience the perfect and smooth taste of Unique Syrups, you’ll never be able to go back to the high-fructose alternative.
We pride ourselves on creating high quality, unique syrups. At Unique Syrups, you can always expect delicious and healthy syrup options. We only use items grown at local farms and from our organic suppliers. Whether it’s a classic favorite or a special new flavor that you crave, you’ll always find a wide variety of tasty syrups at Unique Syrups.
Where do you see your company in five years?
In five, years I see Unique Syrups as the No. 1 all-natural syrup for bars, restaurant, and clubs in the Atlanta and New York area.
How do you set goals and evaluate your success?
Believe it or not, I don’t set goals, I set milestones and I evaluate my success by giving myself a rundown every two months and then take my mistakes and turn them into a goal to overcome it.
I have a dry erase board that I brainstorm on every other day about my small milestones.
Who do you have on speed dial?
Shawn Crenshaw — business adviser
Dana — friend/marketing adviser
Jennifer — best friend
Esther — my homegirl
Kellie Brew — photographer/graphic designer
Sharlinda Parker — second mom/supporter
Brandon Milstch — friend/branding adviser)
Laurie Sossa — marketing consultant/friend
What was the most useful lesson you learned from your mentor?
Presentation and simplicity are everything.
Name three books that changed how you saw life that you would recommend to others.
—Success Is Not a Secret It’s a System by Mr. Tycoon
—Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki
—Empire State of Mind: How Jay Z Went From Street Corner to Corner Office by Zack O’Malley Greenburg
How do you unwind?
Reading books, spending time with my two daughters, crafting drinks, and traveling.
What is your favorite vacation spot and what makes it special?
With God, and it’s special because he knows me and he answer all my questions. My vacation with him is wonderful.
