Name: Chew Qing Ting
Position: Head Bartender
Hotel: JW Marriott Singapore South Beach
Dream destination: I don’t have just one specific dream destination — what excites me most is the opportunity to explore diverse cultures and connect with local traditions wherever I go. If I had to pick, I’d say Tibet for its breathtaking landscapes and spiritual significance.
Drink or treat of choice: My drink of choice would be a brew of high-quality tea. I’m lucky enough to have some amazing teas at home, like Gyokuro from Japan, Single Estate Tea from Phoenix Mountain in China, and High Mountain Oolong from Taiwan. When I need a little pick-me-up or a pat on the shoulder, I’ll brew the best of the best — every sip needs to be full of flavor and warmth. It’s like a little moment of self-care in a cup!

When you step into Madame Fan at The NCO Club of JW Marriott Singapore South Beach for a cocktail or two, one of the first things you will notice is the bar’s maestro of merriment — Qing Ting, the head bartender. With her precise movements and passion for the imaginative in mixology, Qing Ting elevates every guest’s sipping experience into a symphony of flavor.

Imbued with the capabilities of a cocktail connoisseur, it may come as a surprise that Qing Ting’s journey started as a service staff. While observing a mixologist at the hotel she worked at early in her career, she found her lifelong passion: creating unforgettable experiences for guests through carefully curated drinks.

After half a decade of experience behind the bar, Qing Ting’s love for bartending has only grown stronger. Her inquisitive spirit finds joy in the autonomy she has in the creative process of drink-making and the lively exchanges with those who enjoy them.

“When people genuinely enjoy a drink, I feel like I’ve succeeded in my role — not just as a bartender, but as someone who’s contributed to making their time special,” she says.

In 2023, Qing Ting joined Madame Fan, The NCO Club’s anchor restaurant and bar serving curated cocktails amid an experiential gourmet journey. She leads a close-knitted bar team that constantly innovates, from the drinks to the mixing processes. This innovation shines through in the bar’s current menu which features cocktails inspired by past and present Chinese culture!

Most notably, the ever-venturous bartender represented the Singapore and Maldives region in the first-ever Rising Stars Bartending Competition this year. Through a series of intense challenges against top bartenders across Marriott International APEC’s portfolio of hotels, she impressively clinched second place.

Below, discover more about Qing Ting’s Marriott adventure and her experience in the APEC Rising Stars Competition below.

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Tell us about your Marriott career journey — what were you doing previously and how has your career changed while at Marriott?

I joined Madame Fan Bar as the Head Bartender in September 2023. Before beginning my career at Marriott, I had various experiences in hospitality.

After completing my studies in hospitality management in 2015, I aspired to work as a receptionist. I believed that was the best way to gain insights into all aspects of hotel operations. However, while applying for jobs, there was only an available position in the lobby lounge of another hotel, so I started my career as a waitress.

I found an interest in wanting to be known for providing personalized service experiences to guests through creating unique beverages. I had the opportunity to gain knowledge about various wines, coffees, and teas from different food and beverages outlets. Through the years, I honed my skills as a bartender and emerged victorious in several competitions I joined.

After spending seven years in the same hotel, I chose to transition to an independent establishment: a lounge serving cocktails in addition to Japanese sake. There, I had an opportunity to experience the full works behind a cocktail bar – from curating cocktails, photo shooting, and marketing, to planning for menus and campaigns. Now, at Madame Fan, I oversee the bar’s daily operations, ensuring that we deliver exceptional service and maintain the highest standards of quality and consistency. I lead a talented team of bartenders, fostering a collaborative and professional work environment that aligns with the prestigious reputation of our establishment.

What attracted you to want to work at Marriott?

In 2023, I was fortunate to lead the bar’s re-opening following the pandemic and was excited for the chance to be a part of the team! I had never worked in a Chinese restaurant prior to Madame Fan, though I was very familiar with Chinese ingredients.

What’s more, I was drawn to the fact that the bar is in a heritage building. As Chinese and heritage are topics I love to explore, I thought it would be amazing to learn more and express my knowledge through cocktail making!

How would you describe your experience as a Marriott associate?

My experience as a Marriott associate has been truly inspiring. I’ve had the opportunity to work alongside talented individuals who share the same passion for hospitality and innovation. The collaborative environment encourages us to bring our best every day, while the strong emphasis on teamwork and support ensures that challenges are met with confidence.

What I value most about being a Marriott associate is the brand’s dedication to continuous learning and growth. Marriott provides ample opportunities for professional development, and I’ve been able to refine my skills, embrace creativity, and take on leadership responsibilities that have elevated my career.

Moreover, Marriott’s focus on delivering memorable guest experiences aligns perfectly with my personal values as a hospitality professional. It’s truly fulfilling to contribute to creating unforgettable moments for our guests, knowing I’m backed by a company that shares this vision wholeheartedly.

Overall, my journey with Marriott has been a testament to the power of a strong company culture, and I am proud to represent such an exceptional brand.

Tell us about your experience taking part in the first-ever APEC Rising Star Beverage Competition! How did this opportunity come about, and what was it like to be a part of this experience?

It was a great experience! I never imagined I would participate in such an exhilarating event. The format is similar to MasterChef, except I’m not on television!

This year, the theme was “sustainability”. The contenders had to create a drink that reflects our commitment to sustainability through the cocktail creation process.

I won the regional round with Alternate Gem – utilizing imperfect fruits and leaves that would typically end up in the trash, while also raising awareness about cultural sustainability. Alternate Gem is a gin-based cocktail that pays tribute to unsung ingredients like “ugly” kaffir leaves, and lacto-fermented fruit trimmings.

During the APEC final, we had to complete several challenges: a free-pour challenge, a classic cocktail challenge, a blind tasting, a team challenge, a creativity challenge, and a twist on a classic cocktail challenge. All these challenges were designed to evaluate the overall skills of the bartender.

How has Marriott supported you as a bartender and artisan?

Marriott has been incredibly supportive in ensuring that I have access to high-quality equipment, which significantly enhances both my efficiency and the guest experience. It enables me to deliver a level of craftsmanship that guests appreciate.

Whether it’s investing in precision bartending tools, advanced cocktail-making equipment, or high-end glassware, these resources directly impact the quality of the drinks I create. These tools allow me to experiment with new techniques, elevate the overall presentation, and ultimately, deliver a more memorable experience for our guests. This focus on providing the right equipment demonstrates Marriott’s commitment to supporting not only the technical aspects of the job, but also the creative and artisanal side of bartending.

In addition to providing the right resources, I’m fortunate to work alongside talented colleagues who push each other to constantly improve, whether it’s through sharing innovative cocktail recipes or offering advice on presentation. It motivates me to hone my craft and reinforces the importance of teamwork and community in delivering exceptional service.

Marriott’s emphasis on collaboration allows me to grow both professionally and personally, knowing that my colleagues are just as invested in my success as I am in theirs.

What is your favorite part of your job?

It has to be seeing people light up when they take that first sip of a cocktail I’ve created! There’s something so rewarding about watching someone’s face change when they taste something unexpected or uniquely crafted. It’s not just about mixing ingredients; it’s about creating an experience, a moment of joy. I love the idea that something I’ve made can bring people together, spark conversation, or even just give someone a little moment of happiness. When people genuinely enjoy a drink, I feel like I’ve succeeded in my role — not just as a bartender, but as someone who’s contributed to making their time special.

Share with us what inspires you when creating new drinks and how do you keep your creative edge in bartending.

The guests truly motivate me. Their preferences and the latest trends spark my creativity, helping me to create an improved version of what I offer. I pay close attention to their words, engage in mindful observation, and strive to grasp the deeper significance behind their actions, much like a social scientist would.

What’s your signature drink to make?

‘Dragonfly’ symbolizes elegance and wisdom. This delightful drink is both straightforward and full of flavor. Drawing inspiration from Chinese philosophy, it embodies the concept of balance with its blend of botanicals, wood, fruits, flowers, and herbs, creating a beautifully layered highball. Perched atop the drink, the dragonfly carries the fragrance of a herb garden – inspired by our JW Garden – offering guests an aromatic experience before they savor the cocktail.

What is the most unusual or surprising ingredient you have ever used in a cocktail?

Sashimi. I once crafted a cocktail inspired by the Japanese dish known as “chirashi-don,” which features sashimi rice. The cocktail uses vodka as its main spirit, along with Katsuo (Japanese bonito), toasted barley, Japanese shoyu, and vinegar. The garnish varies based on what the guest prefers, but it typically includes salmon sashimi. It’s a bit unconventional to use raw fish in cocktails due to the health risks, but I had the chance to collaborate closely with a sashimi chef. Whenever an order comes in, the chef skillfully prepares the sashimi garnish for me, just as he would for his sashimi platter.

Proudest moment of your career so far?

My proudest moment in my career so far has to be the recognition I’ve received from my family. It’s one thing to feel proud of your work, but when your loved ones acknowledge the passion and effort you put into what you do, it feels truly rewarding.

With my job, I’ve been able to share my creativity and knowledge in a unique way — through the art of cocktail creation and the exploration of flavors. There’s something special about taking a concept or an idea and turning it into a drink that not only tastes great but also tells a story. When my family sees that, and they can taste the thoughtfulness that goes into every drink, it makes all the hard work worthwhile. It’s those moments of connection and appreciation that really make the journey meaningful for me.

Any advice for incoming Marriott associates?

Marriott is all about creating memorable experiences for guests, and that starts with you. When we encourage you to be your authentic self, it doesn’t mean acting as if you’re at home — it means bringing your genuine passion and personality into your work.

The hospitality industry thrives on adaptability and teamwork, ensuring every guest has the best experience possible. My advice is simple: Find what you love to do and do it with passion. You can only be truly authentic in a professional setting if you genuinely value the guest’s experience as much as your own. There are countless opportunities here, and the supportive environment, where everyone is eager to help each other succeed, makes Marriott a truly special place. So, stay curious, keep learning, and enjoy the journey!

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