Drink Culture

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

Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2020 Bartender’s Bartender: Jay Khan of COA Hong Kong

Nicholas Ng
Jay Khan | Altos Bartenders' Bartender | Asia's 50 Best Bars 2020 | Food For Thought

Jay Khan is one of Asia’s best known bartenders, not only because he makes excellent cocktails, but has helped further educate the public about agave. The Hong Kong born native was recently crowned the Altos’ Bartender’s Bartender at the Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2020 and in addition to that, his bar COA has also placed number 3 at the Asia’s 50 Best Bars this year. We speak to Jay to pick the his brains on his thoughts about bartending and bartenders. Continue reading →

Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2020 Art of Hospitality Award: David Nguyen-Luu of Manhatan Bar Singapore

Nicholas Ng
Manhattan | Michter's Art of Hospitality Award | Asia's 50 Best Bars 2020 | Food For Thought

Manhattan Bar at the Regent Singapore needs no further introduction, with its time and time again ranking as at the World’s 50 Best Bars and Asia’s 50 Best Bars. Winning the Legends Of The List award in 2019, and also number 1 bar in 2018, Manhattan has gone on to win the Art of Hospitality Awards this year, which comes as no surprise. We sit down with Bar Manager David Nguyen-Luu to learn about more about their approach to hospitality. Continue reading →

Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2020: In Recognition And In Solidarity

Nicholas Ng
Jigger & Pony | Best Bar in Asia | Asia's 50 Best Bars 2020 | Food For Thought

The current pandemic of the Covid-19 has affected the food and beverage industry severely, but amidst all the chaos, the drink industry has come together, albeit social distantly, not in celebration, but in recognition of the work all these bars have put in to raising the bar when it comes to cocktail culture, camaraderie and creativity. The inaugural event was initially supposed to be held in Singapore but instead was done via a live telecast across Facebook. Continue reading →

A Bloody Good Gin: Stuart Gregor of Four Pillars Distillery

Nicholas Ng
Stuart Gregor | Four Pillars Gin

When it comes to gin distilleries, there are few that has the reputation that Four Pillars Distillery has. From its signature Rare Dry Gin to its delicious Navy Strength, you can see why this distillery has won countless awards. Being crowned best international gin distillers at the International Wine & Spirit Competition 2019, we pick the brains of Stuart Gregor, Co-founder and Trade Director of Four Pillars Gin. Continue reading →

Save The Date: Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2020 & Singapore Cocktail Festival 2020

Nicholas Ng
Singapore Cocktail Festival | Festival Village 2 | Save The Date | Food For Thought

The Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2020 returns to Singapore in conjunction with the Singapore Cocktail Festival 2020. The event will see the combination of a week long celebration with guest bartenders from all over the Asia as well as pop-ups of some of Singapore’s best bars. Due to the recent DROSCON Orange advisory, the events will go on in May and October, so save the date and book your early bird tickets for the Singapore Cocktail Festival 2020. Continue reading →

The Sagacity of Richard Seale of Foursquare Rum Distillery

Nicholas Ng
Richard Seale | Richard Seale of Foursquare | Food For Thought

When it comes to rum, there are few distilleries that equal the complexity of the Barbadian Foursquare Rum Distillery. Other than being world renown for producing some of the highest quality rum in the world, they proved this by winning best rum producer at the International Wine & Spirit Competition 2019. One of their latest offering is the Foursquare Sagacity, and who better than the rum royalty himself Richard Seale to educated us on the wisdom and philosophy of the Foursquare Rum Distillery. Continue reading →

Epicurean Market 2019

Nicholas Ng
Celebrity Chefs | Epicurean Market 2019 | Marina Bay Sands | Food For Thought

Marina Bay Sands sees the return of the grand Epicurean Market 2019 from the 13 to 15th December with a lineup of gourmet food and wine featuring pop-ups and masterclasses from celebrity chefs Wolfgang Puck, Tetsuya Wakuda and many more, setting the stage for a gastronomical holiday season. Continue reading →

Flor De Caña Sustainable Cocktail Challenge Malaysia 2019

Nicholas Ng
Judges | Flor De Caña Sustainable Cocktail Challenge Malaysia 2019 | Food For Thought

The recent Sustainable Cocktail Challenge Malaysia 2019 held by Flor De Caña saw its finality with Joe Ngui of Bar Trigona Four Seasons Kuala Lumpur being crowned the Malaysian champion, in which Ngui will represent Malaysia in the global finals in Nicaragua. We learn more about the competition as a whole and the cocktail that helped Ngui take first place. Continue reading →

The World’s 50 Best Bars 2019: Diversity & Representation

Nicholas Ng

The inaugural World’s 50 Best Bars 2019 was recently held at the Roundhouse in London, and as with any event of that size and magnitude, it brought into light some interesting topics for discussion. One very interesting highlight with the awards this year was how bars across Asia are being more represented, in addition to a big debate of female participation in the bar industry, with steps taken to ensure progress. Continue reading →