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AN INTERVIEW with Mixologist / Bar Manager Antidote Bar - JW Marriott Hanoi Rocky Cuong
HOT | team
ROCKY CUONG
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Hotelier Indonesia Interview Antidote Bar - JW Marriott Hanoi An Interview with Mixologist / Bar Manager Rocky Cuong
For many frequent travellers, a quality lounge serving signature cocktails is a highly desired feature wthin a hotel. The lounge and its quality service provide an opportunity for the weary traveller to unwind after a hectic day.
We have been fortunate to spend time at the Antidote Bar at the JW Marriott in Hanoi and catch-up with Rocky Cuong, the property’s Bar Manager and mixologist.
INTERVIEW
[HI] Could you give us a bit of a background on your history in nightclubs? How did you end up as Bar Manager at the JW Marriott?
[RC] I had opportunity to work at Rooftop Bar and Fuse Club, two of the most popular night bars and clubs in Hanoi. They are Hip-hop night clubs, attracting young guests. Then I started my career at JW Marriott Hanoi as Assistant Bar Manager, gained promotion and here I am!
[HI] Is there a difference managing a standard nightclub and one at a 5-star hotel?
[RC] There is a big difference. Working in a bar/night club at 5-star hotel, I need to take care of each guest, ensuring total satisfaction. Everything must be perfect, the cocktail quality, service, etc. In a standard night club, the top priority is make the crowd crazy with music, everything else is complement.
[HI] What are the unique features of Antidote? What brings customers in?
[RC] Drawing inspiration from the modern sophistication, Antidote Bar is stylish with marble and black wood interior design scheme and direct view over the beautiful lake. The bar offers a wide range of seating; you can enjoy the vibrant atmosphere in your own private booth, lounge on a sofa or sit at the bar where the talented mixologists will fix you up a classic cocktail or one of their signatures. As well as a carefully selected wine and spirit list, Antidote is home to over 80 whiskies – one of the most extensive collections in Vietnam. The interactive environment combined with intuitive service and resident DJs spinning beats throughout the weekend, Antidote Bar is a perfect place for relaxation, fine conversation and luxury indulge.
[HI] How do the customers at Marriott’s Antidote Bar differ from those at other nightclubs?
[RC] They are a little more mature compared to the clubs down town and have solid beverage knowledge. They know what they like to drink!
[HI] What involvement do you have in creating new cocktails?
[RC] We work together as a team to come up with ideas then work on the specs. As much as possible we try to give a local touch to classics.
[HI] What are your favorite signature drink selections from the Antidote menu, and what goes into making them?
[RC] I really enjoy “Breakfast in Antidote”. It’s a refreshing and fruity cocktail mixing from local oranges and Earl Grey tea. To make the best “Breakfast in Antidote” we need to infuse the exact amount of Earl Grey Tea into the Belvedere for one hour. Longer than 1 hour, it will be over infuses and the cocktail will have bitter taste. Under infuse we can’t feel the tea flavor.
[HI] What do you enjoy most about your job?
[RC] Seeing customers smile and enjoy their drinks. Simple.
[HI] What qualities do you think a successful hotel Bar Manager should have?
[RC] First and foremost you need passion. Throw in some creativity, ability to work in a large team and a little patience and you’re half way there. Working in hotels offers you much great opportunities than stand-alone bars so if you are driven then you have the chance to grow your career much quicker than may otherwise be possible.
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La PlumePress Club
Set in an astonishing decor inspired by the design of legendary Long Bien bridge, La Plume is fast becoming a hot spot in the historical part of Hanoi for bistro-style lunch and dinner, all day café and evening drinks.
The name “La Plume” originates from the quill pen that people in ancient times used to write beautiful literary works.
It also recalls a time in the past where journalists, writers and photographers from all walks of life gathered to exchange their experiences and the latest news.
Left as a hint of such times, famous quotes in different languages from many journalists and writers from all over the world are embedded in details of the decoration. Less hidden is a massive central bar counter under the metal ceiling inspired by Long Bien bridge, creating an impressive setting for a stroll along the French colonial times in Hanoi.
Starting with the hands of writers, La Plume, along with its neighbouring La Table du Chef restaurant, is designed as a platform of recognition to the creation of the hand gesture. As such, the lounge exhibits works from top local craftsmen, artists, chefs, as well as winemakers. To this end,
La Plume not only carries 450 references on its wine list, majority of which is French wines, from good to top labels, but also cultivates relationships with the owners and winemakers of the world by displaying their name alongside their wines on its list.
La Plume Bar & Lounge Press Club 12 Ly Dao Thanh corner of 59A Ly Thai To Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
In what is intended to be a memorable environment, La Plume displays an authentic tapas menu prepared by our Executive Chef Mr. Son for all day dining, with organic local and imported products. La Plume is also the place for the best cocktails in town perfected by world champion Master Mixologist Pham Tien Tiep.
Renowned in the country and very at ease with customers, Tiep will share with you his deep knowledge of balance, flavors and latest trends. He is bringing to La Plume a true mixology culture which awakens all your senses.
Each cocktail at La Plume isn’t simply a sophisticated mixed drink but it is the reflection of a story designed to touch your heart. The signature “Full Moon” cocktail was inspired by a tale of his grand-mother about a little girl who dreamed to enjoy the delicious sweet and sour fish soup prepared by her late mother in a full moon night. Also lost his mother at very young age, Tiep relates himself to this little girl and “Full Moon” is his expression of love and remembrance for his late mother.
From a perfect place during day-time for a meal or a chat, the lounge becomes an exciting venue with DJs owning the room (Thursdays through to Sundays) and other live entertainment.
Website: www.hanoi-pressclub.com | www.openasiagroup.com
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La PlumePress Club
HOT | team
Bartender Pham Tien Tiep
Pham Tien Tiep is the epitome of the ragsto-riches success story. From a poor countryside boy to a champion bartender, his life is full of challenges and surprises.
Born in a small village at 60km from Hanoi, Pham Tien Tiep experienced a difficult childhood. At the age of 15, he left school and moved to Hanoi to find a job. He had no idea what he wanted to do, then started as a shoe shiner, a labourer in a Pho stand and a factory making T-shirt. These early work experiences went on to shape his future career in ways he could not have predicted at the time, of which his “Pho” cocktail is known as a brilliant example.
His approach to KOTO, a restaurant and training centre which provides disadvantaged youth with a two-year training program in hospitality skills and personal development saw the change of his life. He was offered a formal course in music because he used to consider himself a musician.
However, working later at Le Pub, a cozy bar for foreign clientele in the heart of Hanoi’s old quarter, he found his true love for creating cocktails. He then convinced Le Club manager to promote him to the bar, where he learned how to mix drinks. Within a year he was the bar manager. Within twoyear stint, craving more skills and experiences, Tiep set his sights on Angelina, a luxury Italian restaurant and bar in the Legend Sofitel Metropole Hanoi. Despite lacking a high school diploma and the requisite certificate in five-star hospitality, he was finally given this shot by promising to be the best bartender in Hanoi. After two years of work, he did what he dreamt.
In 2012, Pham Tien Tiep won the best bartender of Vietnam with his famous “Pho” cocktail and became the first Vietnamese representative to attend the Global Final of “Diageo Reserve World Class 2012” held in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), with enrollment of over 50 world’s best bartenders.
Tiep created “Pho” cocktail at Sofitel Metropole Hanoi hotel, just above the war bunkers where the American musician Joan Baez sang to the guests in December 1972 as bombs fell on the city. The alcohol in the cocktail is lit on fire to represent the bombs, while spices, such as chili and cinnamon reflect the warmness of her voice. After the success of “Pho” cocktail, came other drinks with stories that linked inextricably to the flavours, culture and history of Hanoi. One of them is “Full Moon” cocktail, recalling the dream of a little girl about her late mother.
She met her mother in a full moon night and enjoyed her delicious sweet and sour fish soup. This story touched his heart because he also lost his mother since very young. “Full Moon” cocktail is flavoured with herbs and spices that make the sweet and sour fish soup and enchants cocktail’s lovers with a familiar and relaxing taste.
In 2015, Tiep joins La Plume, an elegant and intimate bar and bistro in the Press Club building, where he continues introducing a true mixology culture to cocktail lovers in Hanoi.
In an atmosphere filled with Long Bien bridge’s emotions, it is fantastic to enjoy his wonderful “Under the bridge” cocktail. Based on the charming flavor of the sweet and sour fish sauce served with boiled snails, a Hanoi’s popular delicacy, the cocktail tells the difficult but joyful life of poor workers living under Long Bien bridge. The message is despite hardship, life is always beautiful.
For Tiep, a cocktail isn’t simply something to drink. “It is a work of art with a background and a soul”. This young man will keep going up to master the mixology art he has a great passion for.
EAST FOOD INDONESIA 2016 THE FOCUSED PLATFORM FOR INTERNATIONAL FOOD & BEVERAGE EXHIBITION IN SURABAYA
Food Ingredients
EASTFOOD INDONESIA 2016
The 8th International Exhibition on Food & Beverage Products, Ingredients, Technology and Services
11 - 14 AUGUST 2016
Grand City, Surabaya - Indonesia
FEATURING : Food & Beverage
- Products and Technology
Bakery & Confectionery
- Bakery & Confectionery, Machinery, Equipment, Supplies, Ingredients
Food & Hospitality
- Wine & Spirits, Equipment, Supplies, Storage, Services & Related Technology for Hotel, Catering, Restaurant, Cafe, Supermarket
Food Ingredients
- Food Additives, Food Chemicals, Food Ingredients, Food Materials
Herbal & Health Food
- Herbal & Health Food and Food Supplements
Retail & Franchising
- Franchising & Licensing
Wine, Spirits Herbal, Health Food
Bakery, Confectionery
Food, Beverage
Exhibition Organizer Retail, Franchising
Food, Hospitality
Supporting Ministries and Associations
Kementerian Perindustrian
REPUBLIK INDONESIA
