Ngie Kok Kiong (KK) of Frank’s Bar KL has been crowned the All-Star Champion of The Wonderful Race 2025 with his cocktail, “The Spice That Remembered”.
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| Judges included Evgeny Yashkovich (Brown Forman’s Regional Advocacy Manager), Kiki Moka (Indonesia's top bartender from The Cocktail Club), and Scott Lee ( Noble 名人) |
As champion, KK earns an exclusive visit to the Woodford Reserve Distillery in Kentucky and will represent Malaysia at The Woodford Reserve Wonderful Race Asia Final 2026.
Now in its 3rd edition, the month-long competition was held in conjunction with Old Fashioned Month. From nationwide submissions, the Top 10 finalists were selected to present their own Old Fashioned reinterpretations. 
The Top 5 then moved on to a second challenge designed by Chef Isadora Chai of Bistro à Table to create a new Woodford Reserve cocktail paired with a mystery ingredient. Options included Malaysian figs, belinjo nut crackers, freshly shucked oysters, smoked trout, and gingerbread cookies.
With gingerbread cookies, KK crafted a drink with Woodford Rye, tuak brine, passion fruit, cassis, and sweet basil - a creation which earned him the championship.
Top 10 Finalists were:
- Ngie Kok Kiong - Frank’s Bar KL (Champion)
- Justin Tay - Cabinet 8 KL (1st Runner-Up)
- Tan Zheng Wei - Coley (2nd Runner-Up)
- Lee Ai Cxing - The Nest (Top 5)
- Justin Chong - CONTI’ (Top 5)
- Choo Kean Kee - Nomad
- Gary Aw - Good Friends Club
- Lok Chia Wen (Janice) - Backdoor Bodega
- Queenie Locke - PS150 KL
- Naik Hiong Du - Haiiro Usagi
Good show everyone - see you next year!
