Singapore crowns Diageo World Class Winner

Boo Jing Heng from Jigger & Pony has beaten three other Singapore hopefuls to win the Southeast Asia Word Class finals which were held recently in Bali.

Boo Jing Heng © Singapore Cocktail Week

Jing Heng will go on to compete in the World Class global finals in Miami this September alongside other regional finalists, including Hong Kong’s James Barker.

The judges were won over by Jong Heng’s ‘A Lovely Affair’, a dessert cocktail made using Japanese Azuki beans. The other three Singapore finalists were Sin Kim Shin also from Jigger & Pony, Tom Hogan from Anti:Dote and Kino Soh from Fresh!

Over the three-day Southeast Asia finals competition, 29 participants from six countries and Taiwan descended on the Alila Seminyak hotel in Bali.

“This week saw some of the best craftsmanship in bartending we have from Southeast Asia, said Colin Chia, Asia head of World Class, Diageo Global Reserve.

“And it showed that our World Class programme can truly groom and harness the highest level of knowledge and skills from participants, helping them elevate towards being a World Class bartender.”

Commenting on his win, Jing Heng said: “This is the third time I’m taking part in World Class and I guess third time’s the charm for me.”

“There were a lot of nerve-wrecking moments during the competition and I’ve learnt so much from my fellow finalists and gurus. I’ve definitely emerged a better and stronger bartender from the experience. It’s been a lot of fun and I can’t wait to bring Singapore-inspired cocktails to the world stage.”