Soon raising her arm in triumph after a fierce showdown with three others to claim the Malaysia’s Ultimate Bartender Champion title.
After six challenging rounds that pushed bartenders’ skills, speed and composure to the limit, Ivon Soon emerged as this year’s Malaysia’s Ultimate Bartender Champion (UBC).
Besides earning the coveted title, the head bartender at Enso Izakaya & Bar in Hyatt Regency, will be competing in the first-ever UBC regional finals in Tokyo, Japan, next month.
She will be facing champions from the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, India, Japan, Taiwan, South Korea and Singapore, in a high-stakes battle for the title of Asia’s Ultimate Bartender Champion.
The national competition – Monkey Shoulder Ultimate Bartender Championship, was held at The Living Room at W Hotel Kuala Lumpur.
“This is my fourth time competing in UBC, my second time in the final round for Malaysia and I finally get the honour of bringing the title home,” said Soon.
“I did quite a bit of homework on the William Grant and Sons portfolio, studying both their signature serves and classic cocktails that feature them.
“This is more than just a personal victory – it’s a chance to represent Malaysia on the regional stage,” she said.
She claimed victory after a fierce showdown with three other finalists, Cabinet 8 KL bar manager Marcus Kwok, Bar Trigona senior bartender Teo Zhen Wei and Sanctuary38 bartender Dean Desmond.
Since its launch in 2015, the Monkey Shoulder UBC has reinvented the cocktail competition format to put the spotlight on skills.
Spanning more than 21 countries and having welcomed over 8,000 participants, UBC swaps subjective judging for objective, measurable skill tests across six high-intensity stages.
There is a rapid-fire quiz to test industry knowledge, precision pouring, the nosing round, a table service challenge, the perfect serve of Monkey Shoulder’s signature Gold Rush cocktail and finally, the adrenaline-fuelled Round Building finale – a race to produce a full set of classic cocktails.
Refereeing this year’s competition was a panel of industry leaders who brought expertise from some of the region’s most celebrated bars and past UBC events.
“Soon’s round was smooth and deliberate, with minimal wasted movement, it is exactly what you want to see in a high-pressure final,” said UBC Malaysia 2022 Champion Darwin Ng, who was also one of the competition judges.
“In UBC, it’s not just about making drinks; it’s about how you perform under pressure while keeping your technique sharp.
“This year’s field was incredibly strong, and while only one can take the title, I hope all the finalists return next year.
“I’m thrilled for Soon and I know she’ll make Malaysia proud in Tokyo,” said Ng.
Monkey Shoulder Southeast Asia regional brand ambassador Brendon Khoo said this year’s UBC showed just how far the bartending community has evolved.
“The calibre of talent, creativity, and technical skills was truly impressive.
“Each competitor brought their own style and personality to the challenges, proving that Malaysia can hold its own on any stage.
“Soon embodied that spirit perfectly, and we’re excited to see her bring that same energy to the regional finals,” he said.
The inaugural Monkey Shoulder UBC regional finals will take place in Tokyo from Oct 10 to 12, alongside the DMC World DJ Championships, celebrating both the competition’s global reach and Monkey Shoulder’s deep ties to music culture.
