MYSEKERTARIS.MY.ID - Marriott International is thrilled to announce the regional finals of its 2024 Sustainable Bartender Championship, a prestigious competition that brings together the most talented and eco-conscious bartenders from across its portfolio of hotels in Asia Pacific excluding China (APEC).
Together with Pernod Ricard & KI NO BI Kyoto Dry Gin, the event spotlights the dazzling talents that are defining the region’s thriving cocktail scene, while encouraging guests to sip sustainably. The grand finale, scheduled to be held on October 21, 2024 at JW Marriott Hotel Singapore South Beach, marks the culmination of countries and territories finals held throughout the year, resulting in two winners who will be crowned 2024 Marriott International APEC Rising Stars: Most Sustainable Bartenders. 14 bartenders will be competing for the title, and the winners will receive an all-expenses-paid trip to Ki No Bi Distillery in Kyoto and valuable opportunities to showcase their skills at renowned bars across the region.
This year’s competition revolves around three main pillars: sustainability, local produce and consumer engagement. Guided by Marriott International’s Serve 360 commitment, this championship serves as a catalyst for sustainability and creativity in the world of mixology. Participants are challenged to craft cocktails that blend creativity, eco-consciousness, and local ingredients. The championship not only provides opportunities for practical applications of sustainability principles and bringing those values to life to create an unforgettable guest experience, but also empowers associates to hone and showcase their skills.
“As a global hospitality brand, Marriott International recognizes its responsibility to promote sustainability initiatives across its operations, including in food and beverage. We recently released The Future of Food 2025 trends report, where Conscious Cuisine stood out as a trend to watch, focused on food security and waste reduction. By hosting this competition, we aim to encourage and extend sustainable practices from food to the bartending community and reinforce new ways of thinking about the ingredients used in beverages”, said Petr Raba, Vice President Food & Beverage, Asia Pacific excluding China, Marriott International.
Bartenders from Marriott Bonvoy’s portfolio of hotels across APEC competed in various stages at country levels using innovative techniques incorporating the three pillars, crafting signature cocktails for their respective hotel bars and showcasing their creativity via social media reels. Two finalists from each region with the highest sales volume and social media engagement qualified for the Grand Finale to be held in Singapore this October. The cocktails created by all finalists will continue to be available at their hotel bars till the end of the year.
Some of the finalists making their way to the Grand Finale include: I Komang Juliastawa from The Laguna, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Nusa Dua, Bali, who crafted “Karangasem 47”, a cocktail that intertwines Bali’s rich cultural heritage with his roots in Karangasem, using gin and ingredients from the resort’s own gardens. Tean De Zhong from Penang Marriott Hotel introduced “Kuih Talam,” inspired by the traditional Malaysian dessert, blending thoughtfully sourced pandan-infused gin and coconut.
Daniel Thomas from The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands curated “Next Generation” – a message to future generations, encouraging them to aspire to an eco-friendlier environment and Qing Ting Chew, from JW Marriott Singapore South Beach, concocted Alternate Gem - a gin-based tribute to unsung heroes like “ugly” kaffir leaves and lacto-fermented fruit trimmings.
The 14 finalists competing for the Grand Finale are:
- Sahil Chetri - Moxy Mumbai Andheri West
- Mudhumita Maltesh - JW Marriott Hotel Bengaluru
- Qing Ting - JW Marriott Hotel Singapore South Beach
- Daniel Thomas Stanislas - The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands
- I Komang Juliastawa - The Laguna, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Nusa Dua, Bali
- Tean De Zhong - Penang Marriott Hotel
- Mizuki Hoshino - The Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo
- Sunil Dahal - Aloft Tokyo Ginza
- Gerard Angelo Dela Cruz - Manila Marriott Hotel
- Mark Kim - JW Marriott Hotel Seoul
- Teerawee Piyajiaranai (Khun Night) - Bangkok Marriott Marquis Queen’s Park
- Surasak Srithong (Khun Benz) - The St. Regis Bangkok
- Ngametua Fatongiatau (Tua) - W Sydney
- Niall Mulgrew - W Brisbane
Sustainability plays a pivotal role in Marriott International’s operations, and the APEC Sustainable Bartender Championship exemplifies this commitment. Through these initiatives, Marriott translates its sustainability goals into actions that resonate with both guests and associates. To know more about Marriott International’s sustainability and social impact efforts click here. To explore more about Marriott Bonvoy and the portfolio of hotels worldwide click here.
Posts
