Star Academy National Finals celebrate first female champion

Heineken Malaysia Berhad (HEINEKEN Malaysia) made history today as it crowned Cora Jean Cantwell, representing Langkah Syabas Beach Resort in Sabah, as the first female National Champion at the 2025 Star Academy National Finals. The landmark win places the Sabahan bartender among the nation’s best, earning her an exclusive educational trip to the Home of Heineken® in Amsterdam.

A historic win for Sabah

The annual competition, now in its seventh edition, drew top bartending talent from KL/Selangor, Sarawak, Sabah, Penang, Perak, and Johor. Cantwell’s victory marks a significant milestone for the programme, which has trained over 11,000 bartenders since its inception.

Her prize trip to Amsterdam will give her rare behind-the-scenes access to Heineken®’s brewing heritage and innovations, echoing the brand’s spirit of “Joy of True Togetherness.”

“I feel amazing winning this competition, and I am so proud to represent Sabah at this year’s Star Academy National Finals! Thank you, HEINEKEN Malaysia for this incredible opportunity. I am excited to go to Amsterdam!” Cantwell said following her win.

HEINEKEN Malaysia’s Managing Director, Martijn van Keulen, said the initiative continues to uplift hospitality standards across Malaysia. “With over 11,000 bartenders trained to date, Star Academy reflects our commitment to elevating the services industry, strengthening the capabilities of our local F&B sector, and supporting a vibrant hospitality ecosystem. As one of HEINEKEN Malaysia’s flagship programmes, we are incredibly proud to see Star Academy raise the bar for service excellence nationwide.”

Raising industry standards

This year’s Star Academy introduced a new highlight — the “Tap Into The Future” module, featuring a first-of-its-kind Virtual Reality (VR) training experience that transforms bartending education.

The immersive system uses sight, touch, and sound to improve memory retention and product knowledge through gamified scenarios. From mastering perfect pours to navigating real-world bar environments, the VR module redefines the learning journey for participants, making complex techniques more accessible and engaging.

Jimmy Ding, Sales Director of HEINEKEN Malaysia, said the VR innovation reflects the company’s continued investment in industry-wide upskilling. “We are grateful to our trade partners for their unwavering support and to the dedicated bartenders who continue to challenge themselves and uphold the highest standards. Their passion and dedication are what drives the industry forward. This year, we are especially excited to introduce our pioneering VR training, which enhances the programme with hands-on, immersive learning.”

Celebrating excellence

The competition brought together a distinguished panel of judges, including HEINEKEN Malaysia’s Commercial Quality Manager Cian Hulm and Commercial Quality Lead Wayne Wong. Joining them was special guest judge Jason Dennis D’Cruz, the 2024 HEINEKEN Global Draught Champion, adding international expertise to the judging process.

As HEINEKEN Malaysia continues championing service excellence, Star Academy remains a key driver in strengthening the country’s hospitality and tourism sectors. With a historic win, groundbreaking training tools, and strong industry support, the 2025 edition sets a new benchmark for future competitions.

For more information on HEINEKEN Malaysia and its initiatives, visit www.heinekenmalaysia.com.