IRON Bartender
T
hree bar masters. Three “secret” ingredients. One judge. Would Beijing’s cocksure mixologists fumble when faced with an unusual condiment or unfamiliar fruit? Or can they concoct a drink to
impress one tough taster? In the spirit of Iron Chef, we put our bartenders to the test by announcing a secret ingredient, giving them ten minutes to conceive of and create a mix, and finding out just how creative a cocktail can get.
THE CONTESTANTS
ANDY CHEN Capital M Hailing from Hebei Province, Andy began his bartending career about five years ago in a Gongti club after a year in bartending school. In 2012, he joined Capital M, where he can be found whipping up (or sipping up) his specialty, a dry martini. Behind the bar, he’s careful and calculating, but creative. You can bet he’s got the classics mastered, like Capital M’s Mojito, uncommonly flavored with imported limes.
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ZHANG LIN Cafe Zarah Zhang Lin took a six-month break from making cocktails when Cafe Zarah, his seven-year project recently labeled “best cafe in the city” by Bespoke Beijing, closed for renovations. He considers himself a coffee man, but his skills behind the bar suggest otherwise. He has an exciting new drinks list on the way for the expanded Cafe Zarah, which reopened in early May.
june 2014
STEPHANIE ROCARD Mao Mao Chong Stephanie founded the hugely successful Mao Mao Chong in 2008, but try to pin her down there for more than a few weeks and you’ll be out of luck. Her drinks expertise is highly sought after and utilized elsewhere in the city, including by those behind new Xingfucun bar, BBC. Find her at her home base leading her new cocktail making class starting this month.
photoS: mitchell pe masilun
ISAIAH LI Frost Isaiah exhibits a certain infectious enthusiasm in his bartending, which may partly be attributed to his young age. The 18year-old practically landed behind the bar counter after finishing school and learned the craft by following his superiors’ recipes down to exact measurements. But he’s already developing spicy, self-propelled skills in a certain area – his claim to fame is the Bloody Mary.
THE JUDGE