BANNIE KANG

Anti:dote

With just six years of bartending under her belt, Anti:dote Bar’s Bannie Kang is the epitome of serenity when it comes to her list of wins. As Singapore’s first-runner-up in the Diplomatico World Tournament in 2017, she’s gone on to claim the international title in the Black Cow Vodka Gold Top Cup 2018 and is currently the 2019 global champion in what is one of the world’s most rigorous and respected bartender’s competitions: the Diageo World Class.

“I am not a competitive person by nature, but I enjoy competing with myself,” explains Kang, who originates from South Korea. “That is what drives me to enter competitions—to push myself to be better at my craft, to nurture my own personal growth.” Her movements are deft and precise, while her accented English is confident and charming. Yet she counts her sincerity and authenticity as factors that contribute most to her success. “The [Singapore edition] judges at Diageo World Class commented on that—they could feel how much I really wanted to win. A good grasp of every competition’s unique requirements and putting in the time to do adequate research are also keys to success.”

“Be eager to learn, be humble and focus on bringing consistency to your drink-making.”

TAKE A SIP: “Mellow Shallow is a twist on the classic Paloma. It’s smoky, not so boozy and very refreshing— I’ve always preferred refreshing cocktails. I was into contemporary cocktails before, but most recently, I’m inclined towards keeping cocktails classic. I’ve observed that it’s very difficult to find a good classic cocktail, so I am trying to strengthen my foundational skills.”