Marco Dongi, 31, hails from Milan and entered the world of mixology around nine years ago, inspired by his passion for travel. His journey began with a brief training stint at a local bar before he moved to London, like many bartenders of that era. Despite initial struggles with the language and industry, Marco eventually found work as a bartender. However, feeling disheartened, he returned to Milan and joined the ME Meliá hotel, which introduced him to the world of mixology.
Through perseverance, he developed a deep passion for bartending. Marco worked alongside Michelin-starred chefs, expanding his knowledge of discipline and cooking techniques. Seeking new adventures, he traveled to Australia, choosing Western Australia to learn English. There, he worked at a rooftop bar in Fremantle before moving to Melbourne and later taking on roles in Mauritius and Bodrum, Turkey, as a Head Mixologist.
Marco's career then took him to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, where he served as Beverage Manager for a local hospitality company. Despite the challenges of working without alcohol, this experience helped him grow both professionally and personally. After a year, he moved to Dubai with the Buddha Bar group and Marriott Hotels.
Most recently, Marco accepted an offer in Bangkok as Bar Manager at Bar Sathorn, W Hotel, where he continues to hone his craft. Throughout his career, he has earned several accolades, including:
- 6th Best Italian Bartender Under 30 (2018)
- Top 10 World Class Italy (2019)
- Top 10 World Class UAE (2023)
- Top 30 Best Italian Bartender Abroad (2023)
In his spare time, he manages his Instagram page (@marcodongi), sharing cocktail content with his 92,000 followers.
Gagan Gurung, a man with a wanderlust spirit, had been traversing the vibrant streets of Hong Kong ever since he steped in the industry. Little did he know that this city of constant change would shape his destiny and lead him down an unexpected path of bartending.
Coming from Nepal , Gagan has quickly made his mark on the cocktail scene in Hong Kong. Starting in his younger years, his interest in flavours led him to becoming a chef but after working in the kitchen for a year he realised, bartending was to be his passion.
his dream brought him to zuma Hong Kong as a bartender where he focused on his skills of pairing food & drink flavour profiles together to create innovative cocktail & develop unique techniques in cocktail making and learning management skills.
Now, with 15 years of experience, Gagan proudly owns a café and restaurant nestled amidst Hong Kong's bustling streets. For the past six years, he has dedicated himself to creating a sanctuary where flavors harmonize and memories are forged.
His background is firmly rooted in asia and thus, he continues to explore farms and local markets to source ingredients within the region in order to experiment with aromatic herbs, spices, fruits and teas. reflecting on this, Gagan co-founded “Tell camellia Hong Kong” which has won coveted awards of 2022 Asia's 50 Best Bars #53, 2021 Asia's 50 Best Bars #23. following this success Top500 no. 246., Gagan has also co-founded “Barcode Hong Kong” that focuses on a coffee programme complimented with desserts and a speakeasy style bar at night. In 2023 Gagan co-founded Singular concepts with his partners which has multiple venues around Hong Kong.
His portfolio continues to grow as he became the bar's accolades are many as an industry titan in asia, the region has earned him recognition for experimentation into all things Asian.
Some of the his recognitions include Asia’s 50 best Bars, Top 25 Bartenders in HK, Top 4 in Bacardi HK final & winner of Gin Mare Reg.
2022 Time Out Bartender of The Year.
