From 19 to 21 November 2019, 19 mixologists from nine Marriott International brands across 10 cities in Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia and Vietnam gathered in Bangkok for the second edition of the Marriott International Liquid Masters 2019.
Representing Marriott International’s luxury brands in Southeast Asia for the Liquid Masters included bartenders from JW Marriott Hanoi, JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay Resort & Spa and Renaissance Riverside Hotel Saigon in Vietnam. From Singapore were bartenders from JW Marriott Singapore South Beach, The Ritz-Carlton Millenia Singapore and The St. Regis Singapore. Neighbouring Malaysia sent bartenders from W Kuala Lumpur and The Westin Kuala Lumpur.
Thailand saw the most representation with four from Bangkok including two from Bangkok Marriott Marquis Queen’s Park the host hotel, and one from Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai and Phuket. From Indonesia, were bartenders from Bali properties including Renaissance Uluwatu Resort & Spa, W Bali – Seminyak, Sthala a Tribute Portfolio Hotel in Ubud Bali and The St. Regis Bali.
The Marriott International Liquid Masters is a Marriott International initiative to develop and educate the bartenders as they revisit the key skills of their craft. The bartenders work in teams to win points for engagement, teamwork, knowledge, enthusiasm and other criteria.
Melvern Nathaniel 
David Rios 
NegrOUAISON 
David Rios Guest Shift at Vesper 
A daily winner was selected each day which concluded with an immersive curated bar crawl across some of Bangkok’s top cocktail bars. Participants got to discover different styles and techniques of their craft with their colleagues and friends. Melvern Nathaniel from W Bali was the day two winner where he and David Rios, the brand ambassador for Nouiason Gin had a guest shift at Vesper Cocktail Bar.
The bartenders were challenged to craft a new signature cocktail using the premium ingredients with the theme of innovation and sustainability at the final showdown on day three. Each cocktail had a story and name to it.
22-year-old Giri Asta from The St Regis Bali accumulated the most points at the end of the three days winning him the title of Marriott International Liquid Masters Champion 2019. He won a customised bar tool kit worth US$600 and a surprise grand prize of an all-expense paid trip to one of Southeast Asia’s best bar cities, a two-night stay at a Marriott property and a guest shift at the city’s best bar.
Namfon Jarensawang, representing Bangkok Marriott Marquis Queen’s Park won the Best Cocktail Award for her “Glow Gold’ which she took inspiration from the belief that gold is the auspicious colour of good luck and gold. The spirit-forward cocktail featured traditional Thai ingredients, dried jackfruit and aromatic pandanus leaves.
Marriott International enlisted guest speakers from Craft Collective by Brand Connect to conduct masterclasses and coaching for the participating bartenders. They include David Rios, the official brand ambassador for Maison Villevert and one of the most awarded mixologist in the world. Arlene Wong, Asia Brand Ambassador of Mr. Black! now resides in Hong Kong where she has been invited to showcase her skills at various guest shifts and competitions. Sam Jevons is the owner and founder of Nusa Cana Rum and an Asian regional cocktail consultant. Sam has worked in nine countries training thousands of bartenders, writing menus and brand creations for hundreds of bars. World Champion Mixologist and Founder of KL Cocktail Co. & JungleBird Kuala Lumpur Joshua Ivanovic has worked at some of the most highly acclaimed establishments in London.
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