Quinary bartender crowned 2017 Diageo ‘Bartender of the Year’ in HK & Macau

Samuel Kwok of Hong Kong’s hip Quinary bar has been named the winner for 2017 Diageo World Class Hong Kong & Macau Bartender of the Year, Diageo has announced.

Kwok won the title after a gruelling week of challenges and a final competition that asked the top three bartenders to create their very own pop-up bar in Taikoo Place.

The three finalists including Kwok and Lok Cheung of Angel’s Share and Alexander Ko of The Woods were given 72 hours to design, build and execute their own pop-up bar. Each bartender was asked to develop a concept that showed their personality, drinks philosophy and ability to be a great host.

Kwok’s bar, Canvas & Co, brought together his two passions: cocktails and tattoos. The cocktail menu declared that ‘a man can be as versatile as a blank canvas. Be it on your skin or your palate, have courage to paint them with bold strokes of vivid colour.’ The bar was styled with images of tattoos, leather backed arm chairs and two tattoo artists.

His winning cocktail was a blend of Ron Zacapa 23, Talisker 10-year-old, smoked coffee beans, vermouth, cold brew coffee and chocolate bitters.

Martin Newell, Senior Brand Manager for Diageo Reserve and World Class said: “Without doubt the bar has been raised again, any one of these three incredible bartenders could have one and done Hong Kong & Macau proud in Mexico. Samuel is an incredible Bartender of the Year, he is humble, hard-working, a great host and talented bartending. He has worked for over ten years as a bartender and a dedicated member of the Quinary team since they opened the doors five years ago.”

Kwok will first head to Bangkok for a boot camp with the best bartenders in the region and drinks industry legends from around the world. In August, he will visit the home of Don Julio Tequila before competing against 60 other bartenders in the World Class Global final in Mexico City from 20 to 25 August.