20 ladies from Singapore, Hong Kong, KL, Manila, Seoul and Sydney are ready to compete. By Natasha Hong.

Asia’s first ever edition of Speed Rack is coming to Singapore this year, and after a month-long registration and selection process, the local organisers have announced the 20 female bartenders competing for the Miss Speed Rack Asia 2017 title.

From the pool of entries submitted, Speed Rack founders Ivy Mix and Lynnette Marrero made their selections based on each bartender’s industry experience and personality, divined via answers to questions on the registration form.

The 20 going forward will now compete in a timed qualifying round on March 12, where they’ll have to make four cocktails using the sponsors’ products. The quickest eight girls will then take the stage to sling a round of drinks (from a list of 50 industry staples) in head-to-head speed battles, where they’ll be judged on presentation and accuracy by Mix and Marrero with a panel of industry experts.

The support from the industry so far for this first edition of the Asia competition has been encouraging. St-Germain stepped up to cover the airfare and accommodation for the out-of-town competitors, and global brand ambassador Camille Vidal will be in Singapore for the event. Speed Rack Asia also signed on Bacardi rum, Stolichnaya, St-Germain, The Botanist and Wild Turkey as Platinum Sponsors; Gold Sponsors Jose Cuervo, Giffard and Cherry Heering; and Silver Sponsors Cointreau, Campari and East Imperial.

Watch the girls kick ass at the open-to-public competition, held at The Great Escape on March 12, 11am to 5pm. Proceeds from $10 cocktail and Park Bench Deli grub sales at the event will be channelled towards charity in Singapore.

Here’s the full list of bartenders competing:

Singapore
Charmaine Ann Thio – 28 Hongkong Street
Bannie Kang – Anti:dote
Monica Koo – Club Street Social
Linnea Stenberg – Crackerjack
Luc Yong – Crackerjack
Reena Rivera – Crackerjack
Debbie Gabriella Raymond – Gibson Cocktail Bar
Christyne Lee – Highball
Kino Soh – Highball
Tasha Marie Nakazawa – Highball
Cheryl Cherry Choe – Kilo Lounge
Sophia Kang – Manhattan
Symphony Loo – Neon Pigeon
Jayden Ong – Sugarhall

Sydney
Sky Huo – The Baxter Inn

Hong Kong
Ana Souza – The Pontiac

Manila
Faye Fernando – The Curator Coffee and Cocktails

Kuala Lumpur
Angel Ng – Ps150

Seoul
Kim Ji Won – Alice
Stella Marinela Joao Conselho – Southside Parlor