When a cocktail competition turns into a community-driven learning experience—welcoming, open, and built to inspire the next generation of bartenders.

The House of Suntory is launching the 2026 edition of DOJO, an immersive program for bar professionals that dives into Japanese bartending and the philosophy behind it. Running from March 23 to April 13, the program unfolds over four in-person days centered on the theme “Hibiki – The Art of Omotenashi.” Inspired by nature and craftsmanship, it will immerse 12 bartenders in Japanese culture and the world of Suntory, drawing on the House’s century of expertise, with a special spotlight on its signature whisky, Hibiki.

Wa, Monozukuri, Omotenashi

The philosophy of The House of Suntory rests on three fundamental pillars of Japanese culture: Wa (harmony among people, with nature, and with Japanese culture), Monozukuri (the tradition of craftsmanship), and Omotenashi (Japanese hospitality and the sharing of authentic experiences).

More than just ideas, these values have shaped the House’s identity for over a century, and they’re woven throughout the DOJO program. This year, participants will be encouraged to put these principles into practice as they pursue excellence and continuous improvement, known in Japan as kaizen.

An exceptional duo at the helm

To create and lead the program, The House of Suntory brought in two complementary leaders from the bar industry.

Christophe Davoine, a Meilleur Ouvrier de France (MOF) bartender since 2015, is a leading figure on France’s bar scene and in luxury hospitality. After working at The Peninsula Paris and the Hôtel de Crillon, and now serving as vice president of the Association des Barmen de France and Brand Ambassador for The House of Suntory, he describes the program as “a real training and mentorship experience for rising talent on the French bar scene”, delivered over four days that blend Japanese history, culture, and craftsmanship.

Alongside him, Simon Chollet, House of Suntory Brand Ambassador since August 2025, brings deep behind-the-bar experience. He trained alongside Amaury Guyot. After a stint at the Prescription Cocktail Club (part of the Experimental Cocktail Group), he joined Guyot at Sherry Butt, which ranked No. 43 on The World’s 50 Best Bars list in 2013. He later helped open Symbiose in Bordeaux, supporting the rise of a new generation of thoughtful, creative bars. In his work as a trainer, he shares his passion for whisky and Japanese culture.

Twelve bartenders in contention

With their guidance, twelve bartenders from some of Paris’s most prestigious palace hotels and bars are about to begin the journey:

  • Louis Vandy (George V)
  • Cesare Ghidini (Ritz)
  • Daniel Leonardo Martinez (Lutetia)
  • Alexia Cristinelli (Royal Monceau)
  • Clément Gourmelen (Hôtel Plaza Athénée)
  • Clément Ricoult (Shangri-La)
  • Camille Durmeyer (Peninsula)
  • Louann Bougoura (Little Red Door)
  • Valentina Robinet (Grand Mazarin / Boubalé)
  • Julien Brissard (Danico)
  • Olwen Gourdeaux (The Cambridge Public House)
  • Ophélie Lopez (Mandarin Oriental)

A jury to match the challenge

After three weeks of training and immersive experiences, along the way taking on a series of challenges, the contestants will present the ritual they’ve developed around their Hibiki Kaizen Classic Cocktail in the program’s final round on April 13. They’ll be judged by a panel of three respected industry figures: Carina Soto Velasquez, a leading figure on the international bar scene behind venues such as Candelaria and Mary Celeste and, most recently, Equal Parts in London and À la Renaissance in Paris; Amaury Guyot, a whisky and ice-carving specialist and the founder of Sherry Butt and Dersou ; and Alexandre Vingtier, a spirits expert who serves as a judge for the World Whisky Awards.

Next stop: Japan

The stakes go far beyond a cocktail competition: the entire program is designed to inspire and train these talented bartenders every step of the way. For the winner who best embodies the spirit of kaizen, there’s a fitting prize: an invitation to the Global DOJO Forum in Japan, where they’ll dive even deeper into the world of The House of Suntory and Japanese culture.

Ganbatte!

Photo credit: Jean-Marie Dufour / Agence Rétines