I Putu Surya
Beverage Manager at The Apurva Kempinski Bali
: What are your responsibilities?
A: My main objective is to lead and continue to inspire a dedicated team of bartenders and sommeliers across eight outlets, transforming moments into memories, one sip at a time. We are committed to our creativity and continuously innovate to exceed guests' expectations through artisanal beverages.
: What makes a typical day?
A: It is a blessing to arrive at The Apurva Kempinski Bali's magnificent gate every morning. I always take a moment to enjoy the lovely view and upbeat atmosphere from our lobby. Then, we begin the day by going through each outlet to check the team's setup, stock and preparation. I help the team throughout the day, especially during the different rush hours for each outlet, making sure everyone stays focused and upholding the standard of the drinks being served to the customers. I must interact with the guests to build a connection and keep an eye on the standard of the services.
: Your best attributes?
A: Overall, I love to be involved in the art of beverage, from storytelling to crafting artisanal presentations. I enjoy discovering the distinctive qualities of every drink, including its flavours, alluring scents and enduring aftertaste. I believe that my curiosity, perseverance and self-control enable me to succeed in my work, learn new things and inspire others.
: Team player or team leader?
A: I enjoy playing the roles of both team leader and team player in my current position. I have always been a team player because I enjoy the thrill and fun we get from taking on new challenges and coming up with creative solutions to reach our shared objectives. At the same time, I need to be an inspiring team leader, motivating the team to strive to deliver our best every day to guests, colleagues, partners and management.
: Who has been the most influential figure in your career to date?
A: I consider myself extremely fortunate to have had the privilege of meeting and being inspired by some of the best individuals in the hospitality sector. First and foremost, my love for wine sommelier was sparked by Jon Arvid Rosengren, the 2016 world sommelier competition champion. I am motivated to become a better and more amiable sommelier by his outstanding performance and his ability to connect with others. In the meantime, the legendary master mixologists that I want to be like are Kiki Moka and Papa Charly. It is a blessing that I have them as mentors to help me grow my mixology abilities. These people have really motivated me to work hard and maintain focus in order to accomplish my goals as a professional.
: Name one really special thing about your hotel in terms of its culinary offerings.
A: What sets The Apurva Kempinski Bali's culinary offerings apart from other dining venues is characterised by their high level of attention to detail and their commitment to elevating local flavours to the international stage. From our rooftop hydroponic garden to the ingredients provided by our local partners, we are spoilt with the abundance of locally sourced ingredients. I always respect our chefs, who have been creatively infusing modern flair into our local cuisine and presenting it enticingly with international standards, which is the same approach we also take for beverages.
: How do you unwind?
A: I usually read books about wines, liqueurs and other types of drinks. To put it more extreme, I enjoy going on hikes in the mountains, where I find inspiration amid the natural world. Aside from that, I feel proud and happy for myself for making it to the top of the mountain.
: Dead or alive, who would you like to take out to dinner?
A: My kids. I want them to know the amount of love, care and labour that I and other people put into making sure that people have amazing experiences. No matter what position you hold in the hospitality sector, every one of us is vital to providing our guests with an outstanding experience.