My wife, my bar mentor: Side Door’s Tryson Quek on winning World Class Bartender of the Year Singapore 2025

When chef Tryson Quek, 38, clinched the title of World Class Bartender of the Year 2025 Singapore in June, many in the industry knew it was not only a testament to his skill and hard work, but to the quiet mentorship of his wife, Bannie Kang. 

After all, she was the first Singapore-based bartender to be crowned the global champion of World Class in 2019. World Class, organised by drinks giant Diageo, is one of the world’s most well-known bartending competitions. 

Her experience proved invaluable in navigating the various challenges of the months-long competition while juggling business operations at their bar, Side Door, which debuted on Asia’s 50 Best Bar list at No. 53 this year. “As my mentor, she would pinpoint everything — in my script and presentation — so that I could improve, step by step,” Quek shares. 

From chef to bartender

For a first-time bartender like Quek, preparation and practice were key. “He’s starting from the beginning,” chimes Kang. “So I told him, ‘You need to work 10 times harder’. All the other bartenders have been behind the bar for at least three years; they have the techniques and knowledge.” 

But it wasn’t easy for Quek. “There’s a lot of mental and physical stress,” he admits. Spanning several intensive weeks, the competition pushed the Side Door co-owner, who often worked past midnight at his bar, to the limit. Every moment of free time was spent perfecting recipes, researching and developing, and polishing his presentation. 

“I always prioritised the business, but her view is you need to make time for the competition too. You should be able to multitask.” Fortunately, as a chef, Quek is well-versed in mise en place, the French culinary term for “everything in its place”. 

Up against 40 professional bartenders with years of experience, Quek had to face a series of challenges, including the “Drink to the Future” challenge in the finals. Contestants were tasked with creating a luxury cocktail of tomorrow that integrated flavour, form and storytelling.

Then, “The Showdown” tested their mettle against a frenetic bar scene, where they had to make five cocktails in just five minutes.

My wife, my bar mentor

Being both life and business partners isn’t for everyone, but for this affable husband-and-wife team, it works. “We’re constantly fighting!” smiles 36-year-old Kang. “Because as a chef and a bartender, we’re proud of our territory. But to be honest, being married makes it easier to work together.”

Beside her, Quek nods in agreement, “We’re always together.” Crucially, he shadowed Kang as her assistant on her own World Class journey in 2019. “Watching her practise for the various challenges, and helping her with anything I could,  gave me a real insight into what it takes to compete in World Class.”

Seasoned bartender Kang’s mentorship came to the fore at the finals while her husband was tasked to create a drink with Zacapa XO rum. On creating the “Possibilities” cocktail, he says: “My natural instinct as a chef was to use citrus to bring out the sweetness, but Bannie convinced me to use balsamic vinegar instead. It ended up being the superior choice, as its flavour profile is more rounded and has more depth, rather than just acidity.” 

Of course, their mentorship journey doesn’t end here; Quek still has the World Class Global Finals in Toronto this September. But the fruits of Kang’s guidance behind the bar will soon be on display closer to home.

At Side Door, the upcoming third edition of the menu will feature Quek’s cocktails alongside his gourmet bites for the first time. “You’ll see more cocktails made with techniques from the kitchen,” he hints.