Diageo World Class 2025 HKMO Champion Quentin Luk | Photo courtesy of World Class Hong Kong
It was a close call at this year’s Diageo World Class Hong Kong & Macau finals, but Qura Bar’s head bartender, Quentin Luk, took the top spot after a tie-breaker Margarita challenge sealed his win against Soho House’s John Patrick Poon. Quentin will represent the two cities at the global showdown in Toronto this September.
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Held at Japanese cocktail bar Gokan, the 2025 regional finals brought together 10 bartenders from Hong Kong and Macau. Two key rounds tested both skill and storytelling: one focused on crafting modern Singleton-based cocktails under the theme Luceo Non Uro (Latin for “I shine, not burn”), and the second and also the final round called The 6th Element.
Four bartenders made it to the final round: Jack Ng (Argo), John Patrick Poon (Soho House), Matt Stephens (Gokan), and Quentin Luk (Qura Bar). The challenge is to create five cocktails inspired by art or a personal story in just six minutes, using spirits from the Diageo Reserve portfolio including Don Julio, Tanqueray No. Ten, Ketel One, Zacapa 23, and Bulleit Bourbon. But more than speed, the round required creativity too.
Quentin’s set, called The Segment, took inspiration from five human personality archetypes: Erudite, Abnegation, Dauntless, Candor, and Amity—which would probably remind you of the five factions from Veronica Roth’s popular Divergent series.
After tying with Soho House’s John Patrick Poon, both were tasked to make a classic Don Julio Margarita. But it was Quentin who edged ahead.
The judging panel included bar veterans and familiar names in the industry: Shelley Tai (World Class 2019 HK & Macau winner), Massimo Zitti (Mother Cocktail Bar, Toronto), Shingo Gokan (Gokan, SG Club), and F&B editor Charmaine Mok.
Quentin is set to fly to Toronto this September to take on over 60 of the world’s top bartenders.
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