Cover Renowned mixologist Shingo Gokan is set to have his takeover of the Baccarat Room and Bar (Photo: courtesy of Solaire Resort Entertainment City)
Renowned mixologist Shingo Gokan is set to have his takeover of the Baccarat Room and Bar (Photo: courtesy of Solaire Resort Entertainment City)
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Shingo Gokan fuses his Japanese heritage and New York flair at Solaire
Drinks bring people together in a way that few other occasions can. This is especially true within Solaire Resort Entertainment City, which provides the perfect backdrop for a night to remember. For its 12th anniversary, it is collaborating with several talented drink experts who will serve their world-class creations at its restaurants. Renowned mixologist Shingo Gokan joins the cast of Yakumi, and showcasing his unique skills at a takeover of the Baccarat Room and Bar.
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Above Shingo Gokan steadily developed his craft in Japan and New York (Photo: courtesy of Solaire Resort Entertainment City)
Shingo Gokan steadily developed his craft in Japan and New York (Photo: courtesy of Solaire Resort Entertainment City)
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Born and raised in Japan, Gokan began bartending in his hometown of Kawasaki City when he was 18 years old. One day, a regular guest suggested that he showcase his talents in New York. “I bought a one-way ticket, and I just flew over,” he recalled. He was just 23 at the time. “My father had a business that he expected me to take over, so he was not pleased. My parents didn’t really understand it at the time, but now they are supportive.”
He learned his craft working at local bars but further developed it when he went abroad. This unique combination of traditional Japanese techniques with a more international style allows him to create exceptional concoctions seldom seen anywhere else. Today, he owns multiple bars across the world, from his native Japan, China, and the United States. One of his most recognisable cocktails, Speak Low, won the Bacardi Legacy Global Cocktail competition in 2012.
Gokan combines his experience of New York’s fast paced, speed-oriented bar scene with Japan’s more measured, detail-focused traditions. The result is a style that is wholly and distinctly his own. “When people ask me, ‘make me something refreshing’, then I have to start moving immediately,” Gokan said. “This kind of speed is important.”
Now, his expertise is heading to our shores at Solaire Resort Entertainment City. “I haven’t been to the Philippines for many years. My father has a business here, and my brother often visits as well,” Gokan remarked. “It’s exciting being back here.”
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Above Gokan's drinks will also make at an appearance at Solaire's Yakumi (Photo: courtesy of Solaire Resort Entertainment City)
Gokan's drinks will also make at an appearance at Solaire's Yakumi (Photo: courtesy of Solaire Resort Entertainment City)
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Gokan is set to prepare several special items during his visit to Yakumi starting on February 28, culminating in a brunch on March 2. His takeover of Baccarat Room and Bar begins on February 27 and will continue until March 1, every night starting at 8 pm. Though there are plenty of drinks to look forward to, he puts the spotlight on Ancient Tomato Tree, a twist on one of his signature cocktails.
“We have this drink on the menu at my SG Club in Tokyo and at the Sip and Guzzle in New York. [We will use] Philippine tomato, kamatis, to make it. It’s a little bit of gin, elderflower, and mastiha, so it’s not a typical Bloody Mary type. It’s fruity, and it has umami. It’s a beautiful drink,” he beamed. “I’m looking forward to using local Filipino tomatoes for this.”
Gokan’s first name, Shingo, is made up of the kanji for belief (信) and self (吾), which together translate to ‘believe myself’. “I think my parents gave me a good name,” he remarked. It is indeed fitting for someone who boldly leapt into the world of mixology and bartending with an admirable determination. During his visit to Solaire Resort Entertainment City, guests can expect nothing less than some of the finest drinks in the world.
Celebrate and toast to 12 years at Solaire Resort Entertainment City. For details and more information, check out sec.solaireresort.com/12thanniversary or Solaire’s Facebook and Instagram pages.
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About
Tobias wants to write things that make people think, laugh, and reflect. He’s especially proud when he can sneak in a cheeky pop-culture reference or a pun in his titles and articles.
He possesses a deep love of history, resulting from years of books, games, and museum visits. It was this fascination with the human endeavour that fostered his love of writing, spanning genres, tones, and moods. He one day hopes to write a novel—he just hasn't decided on a genre yet. A certified homebody, you'll often find him on the computer he built himself, binge-watching Seinfeld or House, playing his favourite gacha game, or reading a book.
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Tobias is a features writer that specialises in branded content. Reach out to him at tobias.tomas@tatlerasia.com.
