Taiwan mixologists won top honors in three categories at the Asia Pacific Bartender of the Year Cocktail Competition in Singapore Aug. 1 to 4, beating contenders from 15 other countries.
Teng Chi-chu, Chen Yu-cheng and Kuo Chih-ling took top honors in the classic cocktail category, the flair bartending skill event, and the student competition, respectively, according to the Bartender Association of Taiwan Aug. 5.
“Simple ingredients, rich flavors and elegant style were the keys to Taiwan’s success,” said 27-year-old Teng, who has more than 10 years of experience under her belt.
She ended Singapore’s streak of 16 straight championships in the traditional cocktail event, the BAT said.
Perhaps the biggest standout was 16-year-old Kuo, who beat out a group of competitors aged 17 to 21 to become the world’s youngest bartending champion, according to the BAT.
Meanwhile, Chen continued Taiwan’s success in flair bartending by grabbing the country’s eighth consecutive title in the competition.
“I really enjoyed performing, as well as the sense of accomplishment in winning the event,” Chen said, admitting that having to defend the championship for Taiwan was quite stressful.
Hsieh Mei-mei, BAT board chairwoman, said a team of Taiwan bartenders will head to Warsaw, Poland, in November to compete in the 2011 World Cocktail Championship.
“I hope the international community will recognize the efforts of Taiwan’s mixologists and how far they have come,” Hsieh said. (SB)