Born in Bali, Yogi Mahardika now feels that New Zealand is his home away from home.
Taking his passions for travelling, food, drink, and exploring the great outdoors, he became a bartender because of the rich hospitality influence that connects him to his hometown.
"I love how I can interact directly with guests by pouring them a drink. You will always see a smile from people every day because who can be sad when food and cocktails are coming,” said Mahardika.
Starting back in 2016, Mahardika was an intern at a resort. Having worked in almost every department, he finally landed a job behind the bar. Gaining the skills to entertain guests and mix different flavours, he said it was like being a chef but working with a shaker. The most rewarding aspect of his job is still when guests tell him they just had the best drink ever.
In 2019, Mahardika competed in a competition against 295 other bartenders in a national bartending competition. Having flown out of Bali with 70 kilograms of equipment, a few of his glasses and plates broke on the way, but he still made it in time and was placed as a runner-up.
His favourite cocktail to make is a classic Negroni, which is his favourite to drink as well. He said that he also likes to add a touch of an extra part of gin and chocolate bitter as a twist.
"During a hot summer day while chilling in front of the beach, a Clover Club twisted with fresh passionfruit, and honey is the perfect drink while enjoying the ocean breeze."
He works at ‘Our Land is Alive’ at the Cordis Hotel in Auckland. Every drink on the bar's menu is made with local ingredients, supporting local businesses. During his downtime, Mahardika enjoys experimenting in the kitchen and spending time in the mountains or forests in Auckland for some fresh air and relaxation.
As a gin lover, the wide selection of gin at 'Our Land is Alive' plays to his strengths.
"If you love Tequila, we also stock the one and only Blue Agave Spirit produced and grown locally here in New Zealand, even though we can't call it Tequila. This shows how big the spirit scene is here in New Zealand."
In the past few years that he has been in New Zealand, Mahardika said that the people are genuinely humble, which is what he thought before deciding to move. He added that it is the same at 'Our Land is Alive,' with everyone supporting one another, just like the team's motto of "One Team, One Dream."
