MANILA, Philippines - Sir Raminad “Ram” Ong of T.G.I. Friday’s Malate bested contenders from other Asian countries as he brought home the crown in the T.G.IFriday’s Asian Bartending Championship held recently in Beijing, China.
Ram placed first in the Compulsory Round (the technicalities of pouring and speed), and got perfect scores on both the bar knowledge and drink tests.
“I have long been practicing my moves,” the self-taught bartender replied when asked how he prepared for the competition. “I am also fortunate to have a trainor like Jojo Almanza, who shared not only his skills, but also his personal experiences with me,” he said.
Ram is getting ready to “shake, rattle and pour” his way to the World Finals to be held in the USA in March 2010 as Asia’s bartending representative.
The 24-year-old bartender was a culinary student who was a habitué at Friday’s Malate. He was impressed by bartenders doing their freestyle bar flairs. He decided to be “just like them” and work as a bartender. Now, he is gearing up to conquer the world, achieve his dream and make Pinoys proud in the bartending arena.