Annam Group organized the first Mix Legend competition, centered on the theme of "Duality". Over three months and two rounds of bartending, 70 contestants were narrowed down to 12 finalists representing the northern, central, and southern regions. The finals took place on 21/4 at Roommate Bar, TP HCM, and comprised three segments: Mystery Box, Quick Creativity, and Triple Battle, which progressively selected the Top 6, Top 3, and ultimately, the Mix Legend Champion.

Contestants were tasked with creating two versions of a beverage—a mocktail and a cocktail—to convey different perspectives while maintaining a consistent core meaning. Bartender Le Quoc Viet emerged as the clear winner with his "Becoming" concept, featuring the duo "A Warm-hearted Boy" and "A Cooler Guy". Quoc Viet explained that this pair symbolized his past and future self: evolving from a warm-hearted boy under his family's protection to a sharper, more resilient, and resolute individual as he matured.

Le Quoc Viet - Mix Legend 2026 champion. Photo: Annam Group

Le Quoc Viet shared that his beverage concept was inspired by his own life story. For the first challenge, using beetroot as the main ingredient, he presented "Root & Rise". This wordplay, linking "beetroot" with the "rice" wine used in his recipe, recounted his journey into bartending and his decision to dedicate his life to the profession. In the second challenge, he crafted "Safe & Risk", illustrating how he convinced his family to support his passion for mixology.

"I am happy because my efforts and the support of those who believed in me have come to fruition. This award reaffirms that the path I am on is the right one, providing further motivation to achieve higher milestones", Quoc Viet stated, commending the competition's professional scale. "I believe that the right investment will improve and elevate the experience for both Vietnamese and international guests, thereby enhancing the art of bartending in Vietnam".

Virginie Dupuichcarraz, Senior Marketing Director for the Matthieu Teisseire brand, commented on the first season's champion. She noted that Le Quoc Viet's approach aligns with the brand's product philosophy: focusing on core flavors, pure ingredients, emphasizing premium quality, and ensuring a memorable experience for consumers.

The judging panel evaluated five criteria: flavor balance, creativity, bartending technique, brand integration, presentation, and storytelling. From left: Bruno Santos, Xino Wu, Ho Hoang Huy, and Nguyen Phu Cuong. Photo: Annam Group

According to an Annam Group representative, Le Quoc Viet's prize as champion includes a trip to France to explore beverage culture and interact with the Mathieu Teisseire brand. Nguyen Van Nam, winner of the "Cocktail Legend" category from House of Merlin, TP HCM, will attend the Asia's 50 Best Bars 2026 awards ceremony in Macau and network with bars and outlets in the region. Huynh Ngoc Huy, who topped the Mocktail Legend category from 4Cheers, Da Nang, will participate in the Dilmah School of Tea, an intensive tea training course in Sri Lanka.

Bruno Santos, President of the World Bartenders Association and one of the four judges for the final, described the first season as vibrant and challenging to select a winner due to the abundance of talent. "I can see Vietnam's potential in larger-scale competitions, with many outstanding individuals and inspiring stories behind their bartending art", he remarked.

In addition to Bruno Santos, the judging panel included veteran bartending experts: Xino Wu, General Secretary of the World Bartenders Association; Ho Hoang Huy, Matthieu Teisseire Vietnam ambassador; and Nguyen Phu Cuong, founder of Jack In Bartender.

Regarding the competition's future direction, Nguyen Thi Phuong Ha, founder and CEO of An Nam Group, views Mix Legend as more than a professional contest. She believes it serves as a bridge connecting talent with beverage brands and collaborates with various training institutions and international programs. The goal is to build an ecosystem that supports Vietnamese bartenders in developing their skills, expanding career opportunities, and progressively achieving global recognition.

Phuong Ha explained that with increasing health consciousness, alcohol consumption is gradually being moderated. "Therefore, crafting cocktails and mocktails offers an opportunity for people to enjoy better drinking experiences, discover novel innovations, and witness impressive concoctions from this competition", she said.

Nguyen Thi Phuong Ha, CEO An Nam. Photo: Annam Group

Indrajit Palihakkara, Dilmah Tea's Vietnam Country Manager, echoed this sentiment, expressing his hope for Mix Legend to expand into neighboring regions. "We are excited to contribute to innovating the service industry through similar competitions, thereby elevating tea into a creative, high-value ingredient in the global bartending industry", he added.

(Source: Annam Group)