Angel Ng and Amanda Wan spill the tea on what drink they would never order at a bar, unforgettable customer encounters and more
It wasn't without trepidation when we asked Angel Ng and Amanda Wan if they minded being co-stars in a shared interview. To our relief, both rockstars of the bartending scene were perfectly comfortable sharing the spotlight.
"Never underestimate a community of like-minded, driven individuals working together to lift each other up," said Wan sagely. Whether in Malaysia or abroad, the bar and nightlife industry is more close-knit than most. I guess you could say that blood may be thicker than water, but cocktail syrup is thicker than blood.
Together, Ng and Wan's accolades and achievements are innumerable. Separately, they go something like this:
Angel Ng
- The Bar Awards—Best Hospitality Team (2018)
- Time Out KL Awards—Best New Opening (2017)
- La Maison Cointreau Malaysia—Champion (2017 and 2014)
- The Bar Awards KL—The Ada Coleman Award Winner (2017)
- Gin Jubilee Malaysia—Champion (2016)
- The Sherry Apprentice—Champion (2015)
- Mount Gay Cocktail Stories Competition—Champion (2014)
Amanda Wan
- Kotex She Can Awards—100 Inspiring Malaysian Women (2020)
- Bacardi Legacy Bartending Competition—Top 3 in Hong Kong, Macau & Taiwan (2016 & 2017)
- The Bar Awards Hong Kong—The Ada Coleman Award Nominee (2016)
- The Peter F. Heering Sling Award Global Finals—Finalist (2015)
- Drinks World Asia Top 25 Bartenders in Hong Kong (2014 & 2015)
- Caffe Vergnano Best Barista Global Competition—Finalist (2013)
- DIAGEO World Class Global Bartending Competition—Finalist (2010)
- DIAGEO World Class Bartending Competition—Malaysian Champion (2010)
1. The first cocktail that really made me rethink alcoholic concoctions is _____.
Amanda Wan: The Margarita. The first bar I had the privilege to work at was 7atenine (now known as Tujo), which had a classic Margarita on the menu, as well as a dozen other fresh fruit variations. The Margarita is a simple study of balancing sweetness and acidity, temperature and dilution. I love it when one drink can take on many forms!
Angel Ng: The Daiquiri. It's so simple yet so easy to get unbalanced. This drink makes me truly think about the components of an impressive beverage.
See also: What's Mixing: Manila's Top Bartenders' Special Cocktails