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 whisky and cocktail scene to create experiences like no other. Andrew is the Beam Suntory Regional Brand Ambassador for South-east Asia and conducts brand education, consumer engagement and trade training on behalf of the company. In 2021, Andrew hosted a once-in-a-life-time dinner celebrating the ultra-rare Yamazaki 55 year old in a four-hands collaboration between renowned Michelin-starred restaurants Odette and Shinji by Kanesaka. He has represented brands in Suntory’s portfolio in various activations and guest shifts with award-winning cocktail bars in and around Asia and has his sights on the West.

In a more recent collaboration, Andrew developed the concept and cocktail programme of fast-growing, travel-themed speakeasy cocktail bar, Taylor Adam, in Singapore. Andrew has dreamt up novel flavours amounting to slightly over 150 cocktails since joining Suntory at the turn of 2020. This is where he thrives in his element, telling a story with concoctions to amplify the culinary and mixology experience. Follow @andrew_yamazaki and his travels to bars around the world!

Assistant Head Sommelier at 67 Pall Mall, Bonnie Yap’s wine career started at great altitudes as an Air Sommelier and Leading Stewardess with Singapore Airlines. As one of the pioneer sommeliers of 67 Pall Mall Singapore, Bonnie was instrumental in starting up the Club’s extensive wine programme and continues to lead her team to great heights.

General Manager of Proof & Company for South East 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.

Brian E. Werner is the Founder & Managing Director of East West Management & Marketing Pte. Ltd., an exclusive importer, and master distributors of award-winning premium and ultra-premium Tequila, Mezcal and agave spirits in Singapore, Asia, Australia & New Zealand.

Ever the entrepreneur, Brian acquired the master license for Asia for the International Tequila Academy and their online and off line education and certification programs. He continues to position EAST WEST as the go to source for all things Tequila and Mezcal in Asia, a logistics hub in trade and tax friendly Singapore and through its distribution network Australia and New Zealand.

The brand owners/ distilleries that we work with are family, friends, and long- time business associates of 20 years or more who share a love for Mexico and a passion for premium and ultra-premium Tequila, Mezcal, and Agave Spirits.

London born, Sydney based, Eleanor has spent the past 12 years working with brands and consumers across a variety of strategy roles. Today, she is the Strategy Director at Co-Partnership, a drinks branding, design & innovation agency. Working with a wide range of clients, from ambitious startups to established household names, she challenges drinks brands to better express who they are and why people should care.

His passion led François Chartier to follow his own path by bypassing some of the rules of his profession. In 2002, he literally created a new science: that of "Molecular Harmonies", based on the potential for aromatic synergy between foods, as well as between foods, wines and different beverages. His exceptional track record places him in a class of his own: winner of the prestigious titles of Best Sommelier in the World (in french wine & spirit at the Sopexa Grand Prix 1994 Paris), and Best Innovative Cookbook in the World (twice, in 2010 in Paris and 2016 in China), with its world bestselling book Taste buds and Molecules. Today, François is an advisor on the research committee for the new SONY AI: Artificial Intelligence & Gastronomy project in Tokyo, and "Master Blender" at one of the country's oldest sake breweries, Tanaka Shuzoten; where he handcrafts and blends the luxury sake line, crafted for wine lovers Tanaka 1789 X Chartier (https://tanaka1789xchartier.com/en) launched worldwide in late 2020, and where he has created since 2017 “The New Art of Blending in the World of Sake” (https://tanaka1789xchartier.com/en/stories). In 2021 he co-founded with his partner Isabelle Moren the “Chartier World LAB Barcelona”; a multidisciplinary and inclusive creative LAB. More info on François Chartier: https://francoischartier.ca/en/chartier-createur-harmonies-2/

Isadora is the Co-Founder of Noble & Harker Wine Pte Ltd and owner of two of Singapore’s leading alcohol ecommerce retailers; www.popupwine.com.sg - Singapore’s most awarded wine store, and www.noblewhisky.com. The company is recognised as creating one of Asia’s most successful ecommerce brands and is currently expanding throughout South East Asia. Prior to establishing Noble & Harker Wine, Isadora Noble owned an Australian Public Relations agency specialising in the promotion of luxury brands, technology and finance in Australasia. Her clients included big brands such as Microsoft, Porsche and BankWest. Isadora was awarded a Singapore Entrepreneur Award a few years after launching the business whilst living in Singapore - the same year she welcomed her fourth child into the world! Isadora believes her experience managing the reputations of five star brands, and her confidence with technology and finance, has been integral to the company’s success. Pop Up Wine is recognised as a disrupter of the Singapore alcohol retail industry. It started as a pure online store, with technology at its foundation and a management commitment to embracing automation over head count. It proved the model during the Covid Pandemic when it experienced triple digit growth and reduced staff. Pop Up Wine was the first Singapore wine retailer to offer same-day delivery, and has won many international awards for Singapore’s best wine retailer, best delivery and customer service.

Jeannine. J9. The founder of the The Invisible Agency and our faithful leader. She started this whole crazy ride back in 2009. Jeannine’s travelled the world on what has been a lifetime dedicated to a love of wine. Where better in the world to study Sommeliership than Ground Zero - Bordeaux. Jeannine became a certified Somm with the Bordeaux stamp of approval back in 2001. Oui Oui indeed... Since then she‘s honed her craft working with producers and importers from around the globe, bringing only the best back to lil ol NZ.

Joshua Kalinan holds several titles, and global awards for wine and sake. Originally trained and certified in wine, Joshua discovered an interest in sake after completing the Certified Wine Educator (CWE) examination in Tokyo and began training as a certified sake sommelier under the Sake Sommelier Association in London. Shortly after, he started to write several articles on sake for Cuisine and Wine Magazine. Recently in 2021, he passed the most challenging sake certification and is now a Certified Sake Scholar.

Born in Kuala Lumpur, the national capital city of Malaysia at 1987. Justin now has over 15 years of overall experience in the hospitality industry. He currently holds a Master Degree in International Hospitality Management (Hons) as well as various qualification in wine, sake and spirits educations.

Not only he loves sharing knowledge, skills to students and interacting with guests in the restaurants, Justin is also very passionate in competition. He is a 3 times Best Sommelier of Malaysia (2015, 2016 & 2018), he also achieved a remarkable accomplishment in the Best Sommelier of Asia Oceania in 2018 as the 2nd Runner Up (3rd Placing). Aside of being participants, as a trainer, his competition team that trained by him was awarded Best Catering Team in Culinaire 2019 and on the same year, he was awarded in 2 bartending competitions as 1st Runner Up (2nd Placing).

Leanne is the Head of Sales and Chief Sommelier at Makoto-Ya Singapore and Makoto House Malaysia. With strong passion in Japanese Beer, Sake and Shochu, she aspires to connect and expand the Japanese drinking culture to the local market. Apart from being a Certified Sake Sommelier, Leanne also aims to bring back the origin of Japan - Japanese Malt Beer to the Food and Beverage Scene. Yebisu Premium Beer is made using high-quality malt and hops, resulting in a smooth and refreshing taste and through this masterclass, she would like to introduce the many unique features of the beer and create a Yebisu Premium Beer community in Singapore.

Linda Chan entered into the world of wine in 2004 and had enjoyed the dynamic & vibrant epicurean lifestyle that comes with it.  Today, she is the Assistant General Manager at Grand Vin Pte Ltd, a company that has a reputation of representing the best wine labels of the world like Champagne Louis Roederer, Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Lafite) & E.Guigal etc.  Having spent almost 20 years in the wine industry, she has gathered a vast experience and deepen her knowledge in this industry from procurement & brand management, wine logistics and private clients management. She heads the entire operations and also co-owns the business with 2 partners. 

Marco Oomen is Creamy Creation’s Chief Commercial Officer, based at the company HQ in The Netherlands. Oomen holds an MBA, has a background in chemistry and over 25 years of experience in the global food ingredients & beverages industries. He has worked in both smaller companies as well as large multinationals like DSM and AAK, for which he spent many years abroad in various parts of the world. In 2022 and 2023, Creamy Creation won several Asian Spirit awards at various Master competitions. Oomen is determined to use the company’s expertise in development and manufacturing to launch exciting new projects and activities in Asia.  

Nicole is a talented and experienced Beverage Manager who currently oversees the beverage programs at Appetite SG and Michelin starred Restaurant Nouri. With a wealth of experience working across fine dining and casual restaurants, Nicole has honed her skills in crafting exceptional beverage experiences for guests. She has also worked as a sales manager for Dyspatchr, where she played a key role in growing boutique spirit brands across the Asia Pacific region.

In addition to her professional experience, Nicole is also a student of the Diploma in Wine offered by WSET London. Her passion for wine and spirits is evident in her work, and she is constantly striving to expand her knowledge and expertise in this field.

Her passion for wine grew in Australia, where she developed a close association with the Mornington Peninsula wine region. She later moved to Hong Kong, where she pursued her passion for wine and passed the WSET Diploma. As a writer, she has contributed to the pages of Channel News Asia, the Peak magazine, Tatler Asia, Sommelier India and Halliday Australia. Previously, she was the wine editor for Epicure Asia magazine. Her work also involved judging at International Wine Challenge, London, and a number of local drinks competitions.

Nimmi is based in Singapore. She holds a master’s in marketing from Monash University, Australia and is a member of the UK’s Circle of Wine Writers.

A Bordeaux specialist (with more than a hundred trips to the wine region), CH’NG Poh Tiong is also a world authority on Chinese wine and Japanese Koshu. He has been – since its inception in 2004 – 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 is Chairman, Koshu Expert Committee of Japan; Co Chair, Young Talent Escoffier Culinary Competition Asia Pacific 2023; and, Chairman, The Tower Club Wine Awards. In 2012, CH’NG Poh Tiong was inducted at Blair Castle, Perthshire, as a Keeper of the Quaich, the highest honour in Scotch Whisky. A trained lawyer, he holds a postgraduate Certificate with Distinction in Chinese Art, School of Oriental & Asia Studies, University of London.

A former international vodka brand ambassador, serial bar hopper and avid cocktail sipper, Singapore industry veteran Rachel Ling embarked on a personal wellness journey and found Lyre’s, a premium non-alcoholic brand putting mindfulness first. Rachel now works to educate and advocate for the non-alcoholic category in her role as the brand's Vice President for Asia.

Roberto was studying economics until he realised that wasn’t his thing and instead started to challenge himself in hospitality sector. He has now been working in hospitality for 17 years, including Michelin-starred establishments such as Miramar and Mirror with Chef Paco Perez, where he had his first experience of being a sommelier in a top-end restaurant.

In 2014 Roberto won third place in the best sommelier in Spain competition. He continued to challenge himself, moving to London and starting the Master Sommelier course. He joined the 67 Pall Mall opening team in 2015, positive that this is not only a job but a great learning curve for his career. All the knowledge that he gained working at 67 Pall Mall prompted him to reattempt the best sommelier in Spain competition, achieving first place.

In 2017, he took a break from the Club to take a senior Sommelier position with Joël Robuchon in Singapore, which was the perfect preparation to join 67 Pall Mall in Singapore as Head Sommelier. He is currently in the final stage of his Master Sommelier qualification, on the brink of joining the most elite group of wine service professionals. His natural passion for wine and total dedication to providing great service makes him the ideal person to lead the sommelier team at 67 Pall Mall Singapore.

Over the last 20 years in the wine industry, Susy’s interest in the wines had expanded deeply to the ‘terroir’ and the people who curated the wines. As the Singapore wine scene continues to evolve, together with her corporate vision, she continues her quest to bring in excellent wines through her venture of Alfa International. Armed with eagerness in the expansive understanding of wines, Susy makes it a point to visit various wineries in the Old and New World.

Full Bio

Thuymi has had an illustrious marketing career, starting at the young age of 15 working for her local professional sporting team. This passion for social media has continued working for global agencies and brands such as Heineken and Microsoft. Thuymi, with her partner Mitch, have created AdventureFaktory, a global travel brand that showcases with hotels and tourism boards globally. She’s been to 7 continents and 98 countries, and plans to hit 100 in the summer. On top of sharing inspirational travel content on her social media platforms, she is the Head of Digital, PR and Consumer Engagement for Campari Group for whole of Asia.

A Montrealer, proud Quebecquer from Canada. Loves playing sports when she’s not injured (which happens too much considering how she doesn’t care to jump in front of the puck or anything). A puck? Yep, she plays hockey and loves it a lot; big Montreal Canadiens fan. She loves to play Golf, Volleyball, Ball hockey, Football, Tennis and much more! Besides sports, she is addicted to travelling & photography. She’s also a big fan of her Apple products, Technology, Fashion, Architecture, Advertising and so much more. Half nomadic, with 15 years+ experience in marketing & strategy for brands such as Nikon, Nestle, Unilever, etc. Currently based in Singapore as the perfect Asia travel hub, she will be anywhere in between Montreal, Milan, Vietnam and all that! Her favourite adventures to date have been to attend the Rio Olympic Games, biking the Death Road of Bolivia and driving The Silk Road from the UK to Kazakhstan.

Ying Hsien Tan MW qualified as the first Singaporean Master of Wine in 2015. He was one of the first two Asian men to attain the qualification that year. The Master of Wine is considered the most prestigious wine qualification in the world.

Whilst on the MW education programme, Ying won the Institute of Masters of Wine Champagne Trinity Scholarship 2010 and was nominated to attend the Master Napa Programme in September 2013. He also won a French Wine Society scholarship for the Sud de France Master Level Program in 2013 and the 2013 AXA Millésime Scholarship for MW students.