Marriott shakes things up with its APEC Sustainable Bartender Competition

Hotels under the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio in Singapore and Maldives are shaking things up at this year’s APEC Sustainable Bartender Competition.

This year’s competition revolves around three main pillars: sustainability, local produce, and consumer engagement. As such, it casts the spotlight on the dazzling talents that define the region’s thriving cocktail scene, while encouraging guests to sip sustainably.

Eight participating bartenders from the Maldives and 18 from Singapore sought to craft innovative cocktails focused on all three pillars

One winner from each market will represent their country to vie for the title of this year’s APEC’s Most Sustainable Bartender at the Grand Finale scheduled for this October in Singapore.

The event is a collaboration between Marriott Bonvoy, Pernod Ricard, and KI NO BI Kyoto Dry Gin.

A highly trained lineup

All participating mixologists underwent rigorous training in Marriott’s global sustainability program, collaborating with anti-waste bartender educators from Trash Tiki and the Sustainable Restaurant Association. 

Following the ingredients’ journey from farm to shaker, they mastered everything from fresh produce sourcing to responsible alcohol service, all aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Egbert Casasas, Marriott’s area director of operations in Singapore and the Maldives, said of the endeavour: “Sustainability, or low-impact bartending, plays a pivotal role in how we engage with our guests. As we experiment with ways to make our hotels and bars greener, we’re thrilled to host the Market Final for the 2024 Sustainable Bartender Competition, welcoming rising bartending stars from our hotels in Singapore, so we can learn from each other and share best practices.”

Who’s shaking things up?

Throughout July, bartenders from Marriott Bonvoy’s portfolio of hotels in Singapore and the Maldives crafted signature cocktails for their respective hotel bars, showcasing their creativity via social media reels. 

Bartenders with the highest sales volume and social media engagement stood a chance to earn coveted spots in their Market Final showdown. Cocktails from participating mixologists will continue to be available at the hotel bars till the end of the year.

Daniel Thomas from The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands emerged victorious in the Maldives with his Next Generation, a libation that encourages future generations to aspire to an eco-friendlier environment. Judges were wowed by the bold combination of betel-infused vodka, spices, saline solution from sea salt and leftover tonic water infused with pandan leaf.  

Meanwhile, Qing Ting Chew from JW Marriott Singapore South Beach clinched the win at the recently-concluded Singapore Market Final with her cocktail, Alternate Gem.