PRESS RELEASE
Manhattan, Asia’s Best Bar and World’s 3rd Best Bar, has named Sophia Kang as its new Head Bartender, following the departure of Cedric Mendoza who is taking on a new bartending role in Sydney.
Born and raised in Incheon, South Korea, Sophia was part of the founding team of Manhattan, having joined the bar as Food & Beverage Executive. She made the shift from floor to bar in 2015, where she received bartending training from the experienced bar team for a year. She was officially appointed as a Bartender in 2016, and subsequently promoted to Senior Bartender in 2018.
Read about Manhattan Singapore
Pushing creative boundaries to further challenge herself, she participated in several regional competitions, including SpeedRack Asia 2017 and Gin Jubilee 2018, as well as numerous guest shifts at renowned bars around the world. She has also created a successful barrel-aged rendition of the Aviation cocktail, which remains a crowd favorite on Manhattan’s rickhouse menu.
Sophia is the second Head Bartender since Manhattan’s inception, and currently the bar’s first and only female bartender. “I count my blessings every day at Manhattan – to be given the opportunity to work alongside a team of motivated and energetic professionals I call family. Stepping into the role of Head Bartender fills me with much joy and pride, and succeeding my mentor Cedric is an absolute honor. He has definitely set the bar high and I am bursting with anticipation to exceed all expectations.”
“We are extremely heartened to see Sophia morph into a world-class mixologist over the past years. Her determination and natural leadership qualities, combined with creativity and humility, place her in good stead to drive the bar team to greater heights. We are excited to see her innovation in action and most importantly, spur her on to craft indulging moments for all our guests”, says General Manager of Regent Singapore, Oscar Postma.
In her new role, Sophia will lead new menu development and oversee the spirits collection for the bar. She will also be partnering Assistant Bar Manager Gabriel Carlos in managing Manhattan’s signature American Whiskey Embassy programme to drive advocacy and appreciation of fine American Whiskies further.
When she is not coming up with new concoctions and shaking things up behind the bar, Sophia enjoys traveling, going to movies and hunting down new food and drink spots. Her favorite drink is a good old-fashioned Whiskey Sour – simple, sophisticated, and with an edgy sharpness – an apt reflection of her personality.
About Manhattan
Home to the world’s first in-hotel rickhouse, Manhattan at Regent Singapore is a grand hotel bar inspired by the 19th century’s Golden Age of cocktails and fine drinking. Delivering on its name with a glamorous yet modern space reminiscent of old New York, craft bartending meets artisanal spirits to pay homage to classic and forgotten cocktails that leap from the pages of history. Recently awarded #1 bar in The Asia’s 50 Best Bars List, #3 bar in The World’s 50 Best Bars List (Top Bar in Asia) and 2018 Singapore Tourism Awards Best Nightspot Experience in Singapore. For more information on Manhattan, visit their website or follow them on Facebook.
About Regent Singapore
Open since 1982, Regent Singapore provides a preferred address for both business and leisure travellers, and highly personalised, anticipatory service that guests expect and value around the world. Recent awards and honours include ASEAN Green Hotel Award and Smart Travel Asia’s Best in Travel (Business Hotel) Award. For more information on Regent Singapore, visit their website or follow their Facebook page.
