Winning the Dewar’s Discovery Challenge Malaysia may have been what brought Darryl to Seoul, but it wasn’t what defined the trip. Instead, it was the conversations shared across the bar and the opportunity to experience a brand cocktail culture up close that left the biggest impression. Having only travelled around the Southeast Asian region until now, Darryl approached this trip with wide eyes and an open heart. And what he got in return was a brand new outlook on his job, the industry, and hospitality as a whole.
While Dewar’s may have provided Darryl with the itinerary, it was the city’s pulsing cocktail culture and the people behind it that made the experience what it was. We caught up with the W Kuala Lumpur bartender to talk about the people he met, the bars that left a mark on him, and how a few days in South Korea reshaped the way he thinks about hospitality back home.
Image Credit: Dewars Malaysia
PRIOR TO YOUR DEPARTURE, WAS THERE ANYTHING SPECIFIC THAT YOU WERE LOOKING FORWARD TO ASIDE FROM THE DEWAR’S ASIA DISCOVERY CHALLENGE?
This was my first trip to South Korea so I really was just looking forward to everything from the culture to the food. It’s also the first country I’m visiting outside of Southeast Asia, so there were a lot of expectations but all of them were met, for sure.
WHAT WAS IT LIKE TRAVELLING OUTSIDE OF SOUTHEAST ASIA FOR THE FIRST TIME FOR A TRIP LIKE THIS ONE?
To put it simply, it was a whole new experience! Even though I had a lot of expectations, I really did experience it all. There was a bit of culture shock with it being my first time there, but it was fascinating seeing all the cultures and traditions that were still alive within the modernity of the country.
Image Credit: Dewars Malaysia
DO YOU THINK THIS TRIP HAS RESHAPED YOUR PERSPECTIVE ON THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY?
Yes, definitely! As a person working in the industry—at a hotel, to be more specific—the South Korean style of hospitality was something that has changed the way I think about my job. It was truly so comfortable and it felt very homely, even though I was in a country that I’ve never been to. With the people I encountered, even though it was our first time meeting each other, they were extremely warm and welcoming.
As a whole, I would say that it has definitely impacted the way I want to treat my guests and even talk to them. In two words, I would say that people there are actually quite motherly but also very deliberate! They’re all very caring and you can see that the people who work at the hotels, restaurants, and bars there genuinely do care about your stay.
WAS THERE ANYONE IN PARTICULAR THAT LEFT AN IMPRINT ON YOU?
Our tour guide/chaperon Max! He brought us around throughout the five days and he was extremely accommodating. I felt quite unwell on one of the days and he continued to check in on me even though we had a busy schedule. The next morning, when he was making breakfast, he actually made a warm soup for me, which was really thoughtful!
Image Credit: Dewars Malaysia
HOW DO YOU THINK SEOUL AS A CITY HAS INSPIRED YOUR CREATIVITY WHEN IT COMES TO COCKTAIL MAKING?
It has definitely broadened my mindset and showed me how to use things that I never thought could be included in cocktails! I’ve actually even incorporated some of these ingredients into my drinks now. For example, I tried a cocktail that used a beef bulgogi fat wash, which inspired me to create my own cocktail using a similar method with a different protein.
WERE THERE ANY UNEXPECTED DISCOVERIES OR LESSONS LEARNED IN SEOUL?
Yes, actually! We learned all about makgeolli, which is a traditional Korean sparkling rice wine. The process was more complicated than expected and very much eye-opening. I actually thought it was just a couple of ingredients and steps, but there was so much more to it.
Image Credit: Dewars Malaysia
DID YOU MANAGE TO CHECK OFF A BAR FROM YOUR COCKTAIL BUCKET LIST WHILE THERE?
Yes! It was Pine & Co in Gangnam. That was actually where I got to try the beef bulgogi fat-washed cocktail. But other than that also, the people there were super welcoming and entertaining, so it was overall a really good experience.
HOW WOULD YOU SUM UP YOUR TRIP TO SEOUL AS A WHOLE?
I would definitely say that it was a once in a lifetime opportunity and experience. I was really touched to see the effort that was put into planning it all for us.
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