Left: Jack demonstrating his mocktail creation skills to the judges.
Right: A commemorative photo of his championship title with SHATEC HTS Academic Trainers - Ms Melissa, Ms Charlene, and Mr Jason.
Singapore, 2 August 2024 – In a spectacular display of mixology mastery, SHATEC hospitality student Jack Liau from DHM 224-A clinched the championship title at the National Cocktail Competition 2024 with his exquisite creation - "The Sunrise."
This captivating mocktail mirrors the vibrant hues of dawn, blending the zesty notes of orange and lime juice to balance out the sweet and tangy flavours. A delightful tropical aroma enhanced by elderflower, perfectly complements the star ingredient, passionfruit purée. A splash of ginger ale introduces an exotic hint of spice and effervescence, completing the award-winning mocktail. “The Sunrise is an experience in a glass whereby the first sip is smooth and balanced with refreshing acidity that lingers beautifully on your palate,” Jack explained.
Jack’s journey from a curious novice to a celebrated mixologist began just a few months ago when he first encountered the world of mixology in March. Initially signing up for fun, his curiosity quickly transformed into a passion, leading him to late-night practice sessions under the expert guidance of his trainer, Mr Jason Ow-Yong. Juggling academic commitments and intensive training was no easy feat, but Jack's dedication and enthusiasm for the craft saw him through.
Jack's natural talent and dedication were evident as he triumphed in the school's internal mocktail competition, “Raise the Bar Challenge,” securing him a place in the National Cocktail Competition's finale. Hosted by the Association Bartenders Sommeliers Singapore (ABSS) and the Singapore Hotel Association (SHA) at the Devan Nair Institute For Employment And Employability (e2i), Jack competed against students from MDIS and the ITEs in the National Cocktail Competition.
“Jack intrinsically possesses great motivation and has a flair for showmanship; just as great wines are inextricably linked to the natural environment in which they are produced. These natural factors, or terroir, are what engender grapes of great character and finesse. The grape grower simply plants the saplings and shows them the way,” praised Mr Jason.
As the vibrant hues and intricate layers of "The Sunrise" continue to win hearts and palates, it stands as a shining example of what passion and perseverance can achieve in the world of mixology, reflecting the values SHATEC cultivates in its students. His triumph not only brought him immense pride but also to SHATEC.
*For clarification, students participating in this competition are only permitted to create mocktails as they are not allowed to include any liquid that contains alcohol.
About SHATEC
SHATEC was set up in 1983 by the Singapore Hotel Association to equip Singapore’s hospitality industry with a skilled workforce. Since then, SHATEC has distinguished itself as arguably Singapore’s most recognised hospitality management school with many of its 40,000 strong alumni in more than 20 countries helming key positions in the hospitality and tourism industry.
It is a strong advocate of creative teaching methods. Lessons and programmes at SHATEC are further enhanced by exposing learners to experiential learning that is as close to a working environment as possible. Students also reap the benefit of interacting with local and international instructors and guest speakers who eagerly share a wealth of knowledge in their respective fields and impart important people-to-people skills gleaned from experience.
Besides nurturing young minds and talents, SHATEC is also a key player in preparing career switchers and mature workers to join the hospitality industry. As the industry school, it offers a myriad of programmes and workshops to upskill practitioners in the hospitality industry.
Learners looking to upskill or discover their passion, SHATEC Orchard offers an exciting repertoire of short courses in both professional and lifestyle programs. Our Professional Series is thoughtfully designed to equip learners with the expertise and competencies to excel in your hospitality and/or food services industry careers, fostering a strong sense of confidence and competence.
For those with a passion for lifestyle learning, we offer a diverse range of courses, from the art of cooking and baking to the sophistication of wine appreciation and more, our Lifestyle Series provides you with the opportunity to turn those dreams into lifelong skills through Reimagined Authentic Learning.
Discover your REAL passion with SHATEC Orchard today!
For more information on SHATEC Orchard, visit our website here.