Jean Trinh

Jean Trinh, winner of Altos Bartenders’ Bartender Award 2022.

50 Best: Jean Trinh wins Altos Bartenders’ Bartender 2022

13 September, 2022

Jean Trinh, founder of Alquímico in Cartagena, Colombia, has been named the winner of Altos Bartenders’ Bartender Award 2022.

The award is voted for by the bartenders on this year’s list of The World’s 50 Best Bars, who were asked to name one peer who pushes the limits of what it means to be a great bartender.

“This award really isn’t about me, but everyone involved with the bar. Yes, my name is on it but the past few years have been a great adventure with the whole team,” Trinh told Drinks International. 

French with Vietnamese heritage, Trinh was born into hospitality, growing up in his parents’ restaurants. In 2013, his journey led him to Cartagena de Indias and the experience of Colombian hospitality, opening his first pop-up bar six months later, to then establish Alquímico within three years. 

In 2020, Alquímico joined the list of The World’s 50 Best Bars at No.47, the first Colombian bar ever to feature. The bar offers three concepts, La Mansión, El Balcón and Terrazza, each with their own unique cocktail menu.

“We’ve made memories for life and on top of that, we’ve completely changed the way we think about running our bar,” said Trinh. 

In 2018, Alquímico invested in a 25 acre farm in rural Colombia to grow produce for the high-volume cocktail programme, during the pandemic, Trinh led his team #FromTheBarToTheFarm, housing his bartenders and their families and collaborating with local small producers and farmers. 

“Of course, I want to thank 50 Best Bars and Altos and all of the bartenders out there who voted. It’s great to get recognition for what we achieved but the real prize has been to see the growth of the team and bond with them through such a tough time,” Trinh added. 

The countdown of the list of The World’s 50 Best Bars 2022, sponsored by Perrier, will also be broadcasted live to a global audience who are not able to attend in person. Bars and cocktail lovers are invited to join through The World’s 50 Best Bars Facebook page and 50 Best Bars TV channel on YouTube.

Mark Sansom, content director for The World’s 50 Best Bars, said: “From his inventive approach to the art of cocktail making to his forward-thinking attitude towards sustainability and his commitment to his team and his community, Jean’s spirit rings true to each of the key tenets of what makes a winner of the Altos Bartenders' Bartender Award.”

Alquímico bar in Colombia





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