Shirley Yeung, Foxtrot Unicorn 2021 Winner

What is it that makes a great bartender? Being a good host goes a long way. So, too, does the skill involved in stirring down a perfect 50/50 Sazerac or the knowledge required to school someone in Scotland’s whisky regions. Pop into Foxtrot Unicorn when Shirley Yeung is in action, and you’re likely to find her excelling at all of these things. Yet it’s about more than service. Whether she’s crafting cocktails for competitions, writing articles or shaping a more equitable hospitality landscape through her work with Mix Haus – the non-profit she co-founded to help empower women – Yeung’s engagement with the industry is what sets her apart. She sets a higher standard for this award, and that’s something we can all raise a glass to.