Q&A: Worawuth “Hui” Putthikunkasem

September 5th, 2008

Worawuth “Hui” Putthikunkasem, Thailand champion and winner of the classical cocktail category at the Finlandia Cup 2008 Bartending Competition, serves up some thoughts on his profession and the inspirational role of Tom Cruise in his life.

BK: Did you always want to be a mixologist?

Hui: Actually, no. It was just a case of being in the right place at the right time that led me to the job. It’s something that seems to happen to a lot of people—you study for a certain specialty and end up doing something completely different. But I’ve really come to love my job and in the seven years I’ve been doing it, I’ve never looked back.

BK: What do you think is the most important part of your job?

Hui: My former supervisor once told me something then that I still follow today: A bartender should never, ever serve up a drink they are unsure of. There is no embarrassment in looking up a recipe.

BK: What drink are you most proud of?

Hui: “The Red Pearl” cocktail that won me the Finlandia Cup. It’s a cocktail made with vodka, peach schnapps, fresh lemon juice and jasmine flavored syrup, with red maraschino cherries adding the decorative “pearls.” It’s not just the fact that it was a winner, but the support I had from my teammates and friends in developing the drink meant I could share the experience with them. It was simply wonderful. Now I’m preparing for the upcoming Asian-Pacific championships in Singapore.

BK: Where do you get your mixing inspiration?

Hui: I think a source of inspiration for many bartenders is Cocktail with Tom Cruise. I’ve watched it a lot of times and many of my colleagues also love it. Who could honestly say no to the dream of having a cocktail bar by the beach?

BK: What drink do you think is overrated?

Hui: I’m sick of Long Island Iced Teas! They are really popular so we are constantly making them. The more you make the same thing over and over again the faster you tire of it. It’s also a cocktail that uses five different types of alcohol, so the process can’t really be streamlined.

BK: What cocktail would you serve Tom Cruise?

Hui: It would have to be a Martini, something classic and masculine.