Lok Cheung, bar manager at Coa, emerged as the winner of Hong Kong's first televised cocktail-making competition, ViuTV's Master Mixologist. The competition, which took place from June 10 to 21, featured 32 participants. The judging panel included Antonio Lai, Cecilia Wong, and Jay Khan. In the final round, the three remaining contestants were tasked with creating cocktails inspired by the taste of Hongkongers and cha chaan teng. Lok Cheung's cocktail and consistent storytelling throughout the competition led to his victory. Cheung has been working in the food and beverage industry since 2011 and believes that the most appealing aspect of being a bartender is the customer-facing interaction. He participated in the competition to promote Hong Kong's bar industry and connect his drinks to Hong Kong. Cheung's win was a proud moment for the COA team, and he was praised for his hard work and excellence throughout the competition. [0c4c2a60]
In a separate competition, two mixologists from Ballito, Jason Andrews and Jono Harrison, will be competing in the national finals of the Diageo World Class competition in Johannesburg from July 14 to 16. The winner of the national leg will represent South Africa at the global finals in Shanghai, China, alongside finalists from 53 countries. Andrews, with 20 years of bartending experience, described the competition as the 'Olympics of cocktails'. Harrison, coming from a chef background, emphasized the importance of preparation in mixology and aims to network and learn from the best mixologists in the country. [86468620]
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka's "Smoke & Bitters" has made a significant achievement by surging to No.29 in Asia's 50 Best Bars 2024. The list, which was announced at a live ceremony, features bars from 18 destinations across the region. Bar Leone in Hong Kong was named the Best Bar in Asia and the Best Bar in Hong Kong. Jigger & Pony in Singapore was named the Best Bar in Singapore for the fifth consecutive year. Smoke & Bitters, a one-year-old bar in Central, Sri Lanka, founded by bartender Lorenzo Antinori, debuted at the coveted No.1 spot on the list. The bar focuses on classic, approachable cocktails inspired by traditional Roman bars. The list also includes bars from Mainland China, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, and other countries in the region. This recognition is a testament to the growing bar industry in Sri Lanka and highlights the talent and creativity of the mixologists in the country. [f8285435]