Adrian started his journey in the Sake industry in 2013. Fortunately, he was at the right place at the right time,when sake started booming outside Japan. He spends 3-4 weeks a year visiting Japan, and currently has visitedmore than 120 Sake Breweries. He has also visited breweries in Taiwan, Australia, Canada, USA & England.

Adrian frequently conducts talks, seminars, workshops and food pairing events to increase appreciation for notonly Japanese Sake, but also its history and culture. He is a WSET Sake Educator, teaching F&B professionals and enthusiasts more about Japanese Sake.

He was the co-organiser for the bi-annual craft sake festival, Sake Matsuri Singapore that start in 2018 and just successfully finished its 6th edition in April 2023. He has been a sake judge for IWC Sake (one of the largest sake competitions in the world) since 2017. In 2019, he won an international award, the Future50, jointly presented by the WSET & IWSC.

Adrian is the director of Inter Rice Asia Pte Ltd. The company specialises in Japanese Sake, and represents more than 30 breweries from around Japan. The main clientele is mid to high end restaurants in Singapore, and also consulting services to regional Southeast Asia clients.

Amanda Thomson, CEO and Founder of B Corp Certified Thomson & Scott has created NOUGHTY, the world’s first premium non-alcoholic wine portfolio. Amanda was voted one of Business Insider’s Coolest People in Food & Drink, awarded Le Cordon Bleu’s Best Wine Concept and is an EY Winning Woman.

Formerly an Arts Broadcaster at the BBC, Thomson studied for her Diploma in Wine at the renowned Le Cordon Bleu School in Paris and is leading the global shift to integrate quality non-alcoholic wine drinking into the traditional wine industry.

NOUGHTY now sells to the world’s coolest bars, restaurants, and hotels.  Some top locations where you can find NOUGHTY served are The Soho House Group, The Mandarin Oriental, and the Ritz Carlton.

As a maverick with boundless imagination and a relentless desire to experiment, reinvent and grow, Andrew marries his unique background in psychology with his extensive expertise in the global hospitality community to create experiences like no other.

A familiar face in the Asian cocktail scene, he ventures back into brick and mortar with a mental wellness and apothecary themed cocktail bar, Bar Spectre, where each cocktail comes with a simple therapy technique community activity or wellness talking point. Andrew strives to make therapy more accessible to the local hospitality industry and less of a taboo in Singapore, offering free anonymous online therapy for the F&B community through the Spectre Spirit Support programme. Split across four categories - Herbal, Umami, Citrus and Spices - ingredients for most of the cocktails at Spectre include a mix of traditional Asian (Chinese, Indian, Korean) ingredients like snake, turmeric and ginseng, with modern liqueurs and spirits.

Andrew is also the Beam Suntory Regional Brand Ambassador for Southeast Asia and conducts brand education, consumer engagement and runs industry advocacy programs. He has represented brands across Beam Suntory’s portfolio in various activations and guest shifts with award-winning cocktail bars in and around Asia.

Andrew has dreamt up novel flavours amounting to slightly over 150 cocktails since joining Suntory at the turn of 2020. Most recently, one of Andrew’s cocktails was named best in class in Singapore’s national papers review of best food and drinks in 2023. This is where he thrives in his element, telling a story with concoctions to amplify the culinary and mixology experience.

General Manager of Proof & Company for Southeast Asia, Brandon has spent the last 18 years in the beverage industry, and is a passionate advocate for the 2nd golden era of fine drinking. He leads with an international lens, bringing experience and expertise from Africa, the Middle East and Asia. Brandon has a background in organisational psychology and is also a WSET Level 3 Spirits Educator based in Singapore.

A Bordeaux specialist (with more than a hundred trips to the wine region), CH'NG Poh Tiong is also a world authority on Marselan, Chinese wine, and Japanese Koshu. He has - since its inception in 2004 - been Regional Chair Asia for the UK's Decanter World Wine Awards. Ch'ng also contributes on China and Japan to the world's best-selling wine guide Hugh Johnson Pocket Wine Book. He has, since its inauguration in 2014, been a Senior Judge of World of Fine Wine's Best Wine Lists of the World Competition. He is Chairman, Koshu Expert Committee of Japan; Co Chair, Young Talent Escoffier Culinary Competition Asia Pacific; and, Chairman, The Tower Club Wine Awards. In 2012, CH'NG Poh Tong was inducted at Blair Castle, Perthshire, as a Keeper of the Quaich, the highest honour in Scotch Whisky. He is, since 2000, Wine Consultant to FairPrice Finest, Singapore's largest supermarket chain and largest retailer in wine. A trained lawyer, Ch'ng Poh Tong holds a postgraduate Certificate with Distinction in Chinese Art, School of Oriental & African Studies, University of London. He is a past Honorary Ambassador of TEFAF (The European Fine Art Foundation), organiser of the world's premier fine art fair in Maastricht, and a Life Member of The China Society of Singapore. CH'NG Poh Tong was a Keynote Speaker at the Master of Wine Symposium 2002 in Vienna, Austria, where he delivered the famous "Coca-Colonisation of Wine" speech. He also spoke at the Master of Wine Symposium 2010 in Bordeaux.

Emma Pike embarked on her entrepreneurial journey at the tender age of 15, founding her inaugural company and achieving its successful sale by 22. With an unwavering commitment to seizing new market opportunities, Emma is poised to unveil her 11th venture, solidifying her status as a serial entrepreneur. Emma's diverse portfolio spans from humble beginnings selling sand on Bondi Beach to astutely managing and divesting multiple businesses, including a prominent online butcher store in Hong Kong, a thriving swimwear brand, an IT consultancy, and a renowned restaurant. Her latest endeavour ventures into the expanding realm of alcohol-free beverages.

Emma's approach prioritizes transparency, openness, and integrity, fostering thriving business environments. She prioritizes customer trust by meticulously detailing product origins and sourcing practices, cementing lasting relationships built on confidence and reliability.

A sought-after speaker and mentor, Emma shares her wealth of knowledge and experiences at various industry events, offering insights on entrepreneurship, mentorship, marketing, and customer service. Beyond her professional endeavours, Emma is an avid athlete, philanthropist, and staunch advocate for supporting fellow entrepreneurs.

Jessica has been in the wine industry for nearly a decade. Since being part of the first Singapore wine marketing start-up The Local Nose, she has gone on to obtain professional certifications in the wine industry and is regularly found speaking and educating people about wines with her corporate clients or just a new drinker.

Justin Herson, co-founder of Lion City Meadery, is a seasoned entrepreneur with a proven track record of success in various industries. He brings over two decades of experience to the table, specializing in business development and market expansion. Justin's most recent achievement includes his role as a partner and co-director at Beverly Drinks Pte. Ltd., a reputable cold-chain warehousing logistics company specializing in alcohol beverages. Under his leadership, Beverly Drinks has established itself as a leading player in the industry.

Prior to this, in 2004 Justin co-founded an independent e-commerce venture focused on importing and retailing music equipment across Southeast Asia. This initiative was instrumental in shaping the landscape of Singapore's e-commerce sector. Transitioning to construction, Justin's appointment as Managing Director in 2010 saw significant growth, doubling annual revenue to SGD 3 million through strategic leadership. In 2018, he further diversified his portfolio by co-founding an online media portal specializing in video games coverage, showcasing his adaptability and keen business acumen.
 
ABOUT LION CITY MEADERY
Established in 2018, Lion City Meadery is a Singaporean craft brewing company that specialises in brewing mead. Their meads have won numerous awards from Europe and South-East Asia, making them the only international multi-award winning meadery in Singapore at the time of this writing. They are currently self-distributing in Singapore and are looking to expand overseas.

Being in the Japanese sake and spirits industry for 12 years, Leanne leads the team at Makoto-Ya Singapore and Malaysia. With a strong passion for Japanese food and beverages, she aspires to connect and expand the Japanese drinking culture to our local scene. Leanne also aims to bring back the origin of Japanese spirits with the global traction that it deserves.

Michael Jacob is Drinks Sector Manager of Bord Bia – The Irish Food Board. Bord Bia are the Irish state agency tasked with promotion of Irish food and drink products globally. Previously, Michael has held positions with the Seafood and Prepared Consumer Foods departments of Bord Bia as well as working as an executive within Food Drink Ireland. Michael manages engagement with drinks clients across all categories, advises on global markets and organises drinks shows globally.

Mitch Hayhow is our Master Distiller at Spice Islands Distilling Co. He creates our craft spirits and oversees the day-to-day distilling operations to ensure every bottle produced meets the high standards that Spice Islands demands. With a background in Engineering and Design, and over 25 years of experience in the wine and spirits industries, Mitch brings a unique talent and passion for perfection to the business. Mitch’s passion for sourcing the highest quality raw materials and his tenacity for developing delicious drinks has led the business to high acclaim for its hand-crafted spirits since the launch of our very first products. Mitch’s personal passion is to constantly explore new and undiscovered things and to share these discoveries with passionate people.

In love with everything Japanese, Jian Hao was exposed to Sake back in late 2021. He was instantly hooked and began diving deeper into sake in early 2022. His love for sake and Japanese culture ultimately culminated with him achieving the highest level of certification and being awarded the title of Master Sake Sommelier in August 2022, a title that only less than 30 people around the world currently hold. Credentials: International Kikisake-Shi, WSET Level 3 in Sake, Sake Scholar, Master Sake Sommelier

Patrick Sng, CEO of One Minor Group, a top wine & spirits importer, distributor, and retailer in Singapore, boasts nearly two decades of industry experience. Formerly leading renowned companies like 1855 The Bottle Shop and The Singapore Straits Wine Company, Patrick has amassed prestigious certifications including Certified Specialist of Wine (CSW), Certified Whisky Ambassador, Certified Sake Professional, and Master of Baijiu among many other credentials.

He shares his expertise at industry events such as ProWine and as an Adjunct Lecturer for Nanyang Polytechnic and the Asian Culinary Institute. He is a sought after speaker for corporate events hosted by private banks UBS and OCBC, top law firms and international organisations such as the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCCI), Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO), and National Tax Agency of Japan (NTA).

Committed to revolutionising Singapore’s alcohol scene, Patrick leverages his extensive credentials to promote exploration, diversity, and sustainability in the industry. He envisions a future where consumers are empowered to make informed choices and enjoy the finest beverages.

Rudhi Lie has been involved in the beverages industry for the past 17 years. He embarked on his journey in the world of wine with Indonesia's renowned local wine, Anggur Orang Tua. This wine is emblematic of Indonesia's rich winemaking heritage, crafted using traditional methods and infused with unique herbs.

Today, Rudhi focuses on the local wine industry in Bali, where he finds passion in the distinctive Balinese winemaking techniques. His dream is to create an unforgettable experience with the uniqueness of an uncharted local wine for everyone.

Stefanie Goh came into the food and beverage business by accident. She was introduced to cold brew coffee by an old friend in Melbourne in 2014 and decided to develop her own product on her return to Singapore. Birdy's Cold Brew Coffee was launched at Whisky Live that year where she was introduced to the world of artisanal cocktails and the bars that served them.

One of the brands participating at Whisky Live approached Stefanie to represent them in Singapore. In spite of having little knowledge about the alcohol import and distribution business, Distilled was started in July 2017. Over the last seven years, Distilled has survived a global pandemic, supply chain issues, errant customers and the roller-coaster hospitality business through the power of positive thinking.

Stefanie is a certified barista and also has her level 2 WSET in Wine & Spirits and Whisky Ambassador qualifications.

Prior to the food and beverage industry, Stefanie spent two decades in marketing communications and brand development in the aviation and technology sectors.

Ying Hsien Tan MW holds the distinction of being the inaugural Singaporean Master of Wine since 2015, a pinnacle achievement in the world of wine. As the founder of Taberna Wine Academy, he has cultivated an immersive platform where education meets experience, sharing his expertise through tastings, classes, and prestigious events. Ying is the wine consultant for Singapore’s 2-starred Michelin restaurant, Saint Pierre. Ying contributes to the discernment of excellence in global competitions as an esteemed International Wine Judge. Additionally, he regularly shares his expertise through contributions to various wine publications. Presently, he is engaged in researching a book focused on champagne, furthering his commitment to advancing knowledge and appreciation within the wine community.