MALAYSIA and Indonesia fielded their finest bartenders at a regional competition.
At the Heineken Regional Bartender Finals, top bartenders from Heineken Malaysia’s Star Academy and Multi Bintang Indonesia’s Heineken Star Quality Programme competed head-to-head in a showcase of skill, craft and professional excellence.
This first encounter marked a new chapter in the two companies’ shared commitment to develop hospitality talent across the region, the company said in a media statement.
By investing in programmes such as Star Academy and the Heineken Star Quality Programme, both companies support not only individual bartender’s growth, but also the long-term competitiveness and professionalism of the food and beverage ecosystem.
Beyond technical skills, Star Academy also trains bartenders in responsible service, equipping them to manage challenging situations, deliver verbal reminders to enjoy responsibly and encourage consumers never to drink and drive.
“The regional finals underscore our belief that world-class hospitality experiences are created through skilled hospitality professionals who engage, educate and delight consumers every day,” said Heineken Malaysia sales director Roderick van den Brink.
“Bringing our finalists together with their peers from Indonesia gives them a chance to exchange ideas, learn from one another and gain recognition for their craft.
“This milestone reflects our shared ambition to elevate hospitality standards across the region while creating meaningful development opportunities for the talented people who bring these experiences to life every day.”
I Wayan Sudiana, who represented Bali through Multi Bintang Indonesia’s Heineken Star Quality Programme, was named the Heineken Regional Bartender Finals 2026 champion while Malaysian Lim Tee Hong from La Primeur Austin in Johor was runner-up.
This year, Star Academy evolved into a more accessible, on-ground training model, bringing trainers directly to partner outlets across Malaysia, including smaller cities and outskirt areas such as Miri, Bintulu, Sandakan, Alor Setar and Port Dickson.
The programme reached more than 600 partner outlets nationwide and is expected to upskill a record-breaking 2,500 bartenders this year, adding to the more than 12,000 bartenders trained since its inception.
The Regional Bartender Finals were the culmination of months of training, assessments and outlet-level competitions across both countries.
Competitors were assessed by a panel of judges, including special guest judge Jason Dennis D’Cruz, the 2024 Heineken Global Draught champion.
They were tested on their speed and accuracy under pressure, their ability to engage and educate guests, and their overall technical mastery of the Star Quality Pour.
