For the first time, Malaysia has a champion for the Campari Bartender Competition ASIA 2018. Announced at the finals in KL on 6th December, Shadrach Shan from Bar Trigona attained the highest cumulative score and snagged the winning position.

Other bartenders who competed were Joe Naik, Haiiro Usagi (Johor Bahru); Karl Too, Omakase & Appreciate (KL); Tay Wek Lun, Cabinet 8 by JWC (Johor Bahru); Jordan Lim, Pahit (KL); Chris Danial, Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast (Johor Bahru); Rusho Harry, Beta, (KL); Jimmy Wong, KL Journal hotel; Abel Sukau, Skullduggery (KL); and Koh Kay Kim, Wizards at Tribeca (KL).

In the month-long second round, bartenders created three cocktails containing Campari – one would be a spin on the Negroni – to be served at their bars during the month of November. The final round brought the 10 bartenders together to showcase their creativity and skill, by presenting one of those cocktails to a panel of industry experts.

Overseeing the judging process was Matt Joseph, Group Beverage Manager of Troika Sky Dining; Divyesh Chauhan, Campari Group Regional Brand Ambassador – South East Asia; and Mikkel Lindsted, Campari Group Commercial Manager – South East Asia.

Shan will take on the all-expenses paid trip to Milan, Italy, in January 2019 to compete against ten other regional champions for the title of Campari Bartender Competition ASIA 2018 and a €3,000 cash prize. While there, he will also attend training sessions at the prestigious Campari Academy.