About

A Seasoned Beverage Professional

Vin's journey in the world of beverages spans two decades, and it started not behind a bar, but behind a fast-food counter. That humble beginning set the tone for everything that followed: a career built on curiosity, craft, and an unrelenting drive to master the pour.

He rose quickly through the ranks, becoming one of Malaysia's pioneering baristas specialising in espresso craftsmanship, spending nearly a decade working closely with the esteemed illy coffee brand. His expertise earned him senior roles at two of Malaysia's most respected F&B groups: Gastrodome Management, home of La Bodega and Pressroom, and The BIG Group, where he led beverage operations across multiple outlets. Later, at independent venture Coolcats Co., he oversaw the beverage direction of European bistro Pinch, while simultaneously establishing Brew by Coolcats, a coffee concession and distribution arm that reflected his growing entrepreneurial instincts.

But Vin has never been someone who stays within four walls. In 2017, he joined the International Bartenders Association (IBA) and the Malaysian Food & Beverage Executives Association (MFBEA), deepening his commitment to the industry beyond the bar. Through the years he served as a judge across coffee and cocktail competitions, with his coffee judging spanning until 2022. In 2023, he founded the Mixology Alliance of Malaysia (MAM), and has since channelled his energy fully into organising prestigious cocktail competitions and elevating the local bar scene. In 2024, MAM launched its first-ever Bartenders & Mixology Competition (BMC) under his leadership as Organising Chairperson. That same year, Vin represented Malaysia at the World Cocktail Championship 2025 in Cartagena, attending as an Observer Member under IBA, marking a proud milestone for the country's presence on the global stage.

Today, Vin channels all of that experience into Sezty Traders, a multi-disciplined beverage company covering training, consultancy, events, and the distribution of specialty coffee, premium teas, gourmet syrups, and non-alcoholic spirits. Two decades in, the obsession hasn't faded. It's only sharpened.