16 ladies from Hong Kong, Singapore, KL, Manila, Seoul, HCMC, Guangzhou and Phuket will be competing for the title of Miss Speed Rack Asia 2019 next month. By Holly Graham.

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The second edition of Speed Rack Asia swaps Singapore for Hong Kong in 2019, as the city prepares to welcome women from all over Asia, chosen after a registration and selection process.

Girls from all over the region answered questions on the registration form, allowing them an opportunity to impress Speed Rack founders Ivy Mix and Lynnette Marrero and local organisers, who then selected bartenders based on their industry experience and personality that stood out from the many applications.

The 16 going forward will now compete in a timed qualifying round on October 27 at The Pontiac in Hong Kong, where they’ll have to make four cocktails using the sponsors’ products. The quickest eight girls will then take the stage at Duddell’s Hong Kong 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 including Jay Khan (owner of COA, Hong Kong), Charlene Dawes (founder of Tasting’s Group, Hong Kong), Martin Hudak (Mr Black global brand and ambassador and co-owner of Spirited Awards’ Best International Bar Maybe Sammy, Sydney) and Micaela Piccolo (Spirits Director for Nimbility Asia).

Cointreau and William Grant and Sons stepped up to cover the airfare and accommodation for the some of the out-of-town competitors, and Speed Rack Asia 2019’s sponsors include Bacardi rum, St-Germain, Monin and Tito’s Handmade Vodka as Platinum Sponsors; Mr Black and Luxardo as Gold Sponsors; Cointreau, Monkey Shoulder, Laird’s Applejack, Del Maguey as Silver Sponsors and East Imperial,  Flor de Cana, Campari, Wild Turkey, Bar Stylez, Flair Iron and The London Essence Company as local sponsors.

Watch theses bad ass babes shake up a storm at the open-to-public competition, held at The Salon at Duddell’s on October 27, 5.30-9.30pm. Proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to the Hong Kong Breast Cancer Foundation and can be purchased on Eventbrite here.

Here’s the full list of bartenders competing:

Hong Kong
Sky Huo – The Sea By The Old Man
Arlene Wong – The Pontiac
Wing Yan Lo – DraftLand Hong Kong
Summer Lo – Four Seasons Hong Kong
Yvonne Chan – The Old Man Hong Kong
LZ Zapanta – The Pontiac
Laxmi Wustman – Le Petite Maison
Heidi Hou – Honi Honi Tiki Lounge

Singapore
Macarena Rotger – The Other Roof
Jayden Ong – Nutmeg & Clove

Manila
Faye Fernando – The Cove

Seoul
Polina Lee – Southside Parlor

Ho Chi Minh City
Thai Nhu Quynh – Snuffbox

Phuket
Piromporn Naknuen – Gardens Gastronomy Bar

Guangzhou
Yao Ying “Jackwing” – Spin

Kuala Lumpur
Ee Cheeng Wong – Happy Stan