Drink Culture

“Here’s to alcohol, the cause of — and solution to — all life’s problems.” — Homer Simpson

Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2021: 101 Bars Make Their Mark

Nicholas Ng
Coa Team | Asia's 50 Best Bars 2021 | Food For Thought

As the world is trying to find some semblance of normalcy, we take this time to celebrate Asia’s 50 Best Bars, and although the global situation is a difficult one, the bar industry has once again come together to commemorate the hard work of the many, including the release of a 51-100 ranking. This year’s exciting list sees many new bars placing, with a broader list than ever before. We also speak to some of the winners and take a look at the comparative list of 2021 vs 2020. Continue reading →

Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2021: Three X Co. Enters The Top 50 For The First Time

Nicholas Ng
Three X Co Team | Asia's 50 Best Bars 2021 | Food For Thought

The inaugural Asia’ 50 Best Bars 2021 brought some interesting shake-ups to the list we know so well, with three Malaysian bars placing at number 47. This year sees the first-time entry of Three X Co., an oriental themed cocktail bar located in the heart of Bangsar, serving an eclectic mix of modern and classics. We speak to Angeline Tan, one of the founders of the bar about their win. Continue reading →

Taste Of Hong Kong: Old Town Central Food Tour

Nicholas Ng
Egg Stand | Hong Kong Wine & Dine 2020 | Food For Thought

With the world starting to move into a new normal, the Hong Kong Tourism Board had recently hosted the Taste Of Hong Kong, a virtual tour of the old town in Central, Hong Kong, presenting a media live our to bring the experience virtually to media across Asia. The journey involved a live session via Zoom, visiting some iconic locations and vendors. Continue reading →

The World’s 50 Best Bars 2020: Embracing Change In A Changing World

Nicholas Ng
The World’s 50 Best Bars 2020 - Connaught Bar, London | The Worlds 50 Best Bars 2020 | Food For Thought

With the recent telecast of the inaugural World’s 50 Best Bars 2020 live across various media, we are graced with a new list in a completely different world. This year, we see a virtual coming together celebrating some of the biggest names in the bar industry, with the biggest takeaway being global representation, specifically Asia. We’ve made a comparative list with positions last year as well some thoughts from the bars themselves. Continue reading →

Hong Kong Wine And Dine Festival 2020: 10 Masterclasses You Must Attend

Nicholas Ng
Damon Lau Masterclass Kit | Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival 2020 | Food For Thought

As the inaugural celebration of the Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival celebrates “Online + Offline”, we see some of the best of the island city has to offer bring a gastronomic experience to us at home, with as many as 34 masterclasses going on for 5 weekends from 21st November to 15th December. Here are some of our favourite picks, from wining to dining, and everything in between. Continue reading →

World Cucumber Day: Charmaine Thio of Hendrick’s Gin

Nicholas Ng
Charmaine Thio Brand Ambassador | World Cucumber Day | Charmaine Thio of Hendrick's Gin | Food For Thought

For many people around the world, it must come as a curiosity why the slightly comical notion of World Cucumber Day even exists. This idiosyncratic day celebrated on the 14th of June every year was first invented by English horticulturists in 2011 to celebrate to mild flavoured vegetable and has been celebrated by Hendrick’s ever since. We speak to Charmaine Thio, SEA Regional Brand Ambassador for Hendrick’s Gin to find out a bit more about this quirky little day. Continue reading →

Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2020 Best Bar in Asia: Jerrold Khoo of Jigger & Pony

Nicholas Ng
Jerrold Khoo & Giovanni | Jigger & Pony | Food For Thought

If you’ve ever been to Jigger & Pony in Singapore, you will understand why this outstanding hotel bar has earned the number one spot on the Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2020. From their outstanding hospitality and bar programme, their systematic approach to training is but one of the many highlights that that bar offers, we speak to Bar Manager Jerrold Khoo to learn a bit more about how much goes in to a jigger and pony. Continue reading →

Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2020 Best Bars in Malaysia: A Bee, A Bird and A Bartender

Nicholas Ng
Asia's 50 Best Bars | Best Bars in Malaysia | Food For Thought

The recent Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2020 had quite a number of toss ups, with new entries abound and a change in the top spot. But what has Malaysians buzzing are these three bars making the list. Bar Trigona with its honey-centric programme; JungleBird, the bar named after the only Malaysian cocktail; and Coley Cocktail Bar, which takes its namesake from the first female head bartender of The Savoy, Ada Coleman. We speak to their head honchos to find out a little bit more. Continue reading →

Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2020 Industry Icon Award: Agung Prabowo of The Old Man Hong Kong

Nicholas Ng
Agung Prabowo Old Man Hong Kong | Inudstry Icon Award | Asia's 50 Best Bars 2020 | Food For Thought

When it comes to the bartending industry, there are a few names that need no introduction, and Agung Prabowo is one of them. The brainchild of the Hemingway inspired bar, The Old Man originally opened in Hong Kong and has now expanded with the opening of The Old Man Singapore. Agung has been recently crowned (like his namesake) the Industry Icon Award at the Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2020. We speak to him to find out more about his philosophy as well as the creation of some of The Old Man’s iconic concoctions. Continue reading →