Sophia Kang

Head Bartender of One-ninety Bar at Four Seasons Hotel Singapore

: What drove you to the world of mixology? Has it always been your passion?

A: Born and raised in South Korea, I moved to Singapore in 2012. I made the move at the time because I was young and curious, and really just wanted an adventure overseas. Looking back, I've been in Singapore more than 10 years now! I began my journey with Four Seasons in 2014 as part of the opening team for Manhattan. Over the years, I've dedicated myself to the craft of bartending, working my way up from a floor staff to becoming the first and only female bartender in Manhattan, where as a team we made it to the World's 15th and Asia's 6th in 50 Best Bars. In 2016, I joined Four Seasons Hotel Singapore, taking on the role of head bartender at One-ninety Bar.

: What are your responsibilities as the head bartender?

A: Together with our beverage manager, Gabriel Carlos, we develop the beverage programme for One-ninety Bar and manage the day-to-day operations of the bar to ensure creativity, precision and an unwavering commitment to delivering an exceptional guest experience each and every time. Aside from crafting cocktails, my role also requires for me to provide training and guidance for the team in terms of service standards and product knowledge, inventory management and quality control.

: What’s a typical day like in your field of work?

A: To be honest, mostly working behind the bar. Once I arrive, I start working on setting up the bar and checking that all is in order in terms of the preparation. Also, if the floor needs help, I would be around to support them.

: What’s a typical day like when you have a day off?

A: It really depends on the mood or the agenda for the day. There are days that I would just choose to stay in and catch up on some shows or drama series. Other days, I might decide to go out and visit different bars and restaurants to try out new places.

: Who has been the most influential figure in your career?

A: I always believe that there is something to learn from each individual that I have encountered, so I do not have a specific person to credit. But really, everyone who I have had the privilege to work with before has influenced my career, one way or another.

: Team player or team leader?

A: Both! Especially in this day and age. Being a role model and leading a team to towards achieving their goals but also ensuring that we're all doing this as one team. Alone, the tasks may be heavy, but adding on that balance and positivity within the team leads to a healthy working environment.

: Is there any exciting plan for One-ninety Bar in the near future that you can share with us?

A: We are planning to launch our Secret Gardens menu 2.0 very soon. This year, we will also be participating in the Singapore Cocktail Festival happening in May, so stay tuned for some delicious cocktail creations!

: What is the most important trait to have in your work?

A: Keeping a positive personality within this industry is one of the key traits to have.

: Tell us one thing about yourself that not many people know.

A: I could probably see myself exploring the world of perfumery as a perfumer. Much like mixing cocktails, creating fragrances involves a delicate balance of various notes and an understanding of how they interact to evoke specific emotions and memories. The ability to evoke emotions and memories through the sense of smell is a powerful and intriguing concept, and I would relish the opportunity to delve into the world of perfumery in this alternate reality.