Ethan started his career from commis cook to head chef, specialising in both East & West cuisines back in 1990, did a career switch to the bar scene at 1996. Since then, Ethan has been focused on the development and evolvement of the F&B industry.

The passionate Ethan represented Singapore for the Finalist at “International Flair Competition 1997” in Birmingham, U.K.

Triple happiness came one year later where Ethan emerged Champion & was awarded Best Newcomer in the “Europa Bartender Competition”, in addition to that, claimed the title for “Bartender of the year 1998”.

Ethan was invited to showcase his flairing skills at the Grand Opening of “Saltimbanco – Cirque Du Soleil” in 2000 during his stay with China Jump Singapore.

Always striving to improve and upgrade himself, Ethan graduated from SHATEC with a certificate in bar management 2001 after which took up positions such as Bar Manager of Club “The Liquid Room”, Operations Manager in Club “Centro 360 Group” and General Manager of LGBT Club “Happy” from 2001 to 2006.

With Ethan ever-ready attitude, passion and extensive knowledge in lifestyle related topics – namely wines, spirits, food and cigars, Ethan naturally got involved in business consultancy for a range of F&B establishments, such as Ministry Of Sound, Hed Kandi, Fashion TV, Cafe del Mar, Buddha Bar, Bice, Aurum and Clinic The Club.

Topping Ethan numerous hats as chef, consultant, lifestyle ambassador, events specialist and interior designer, Ethan also personally conducts Master Mixology Classes to educate the next generation. Ethan hopes to give back to the society as an educator and is willing to share whenever invitations as a panellist come his way. Ethan believes in moulding & shaping budding talents and also thinks that it’s another way to compliment his personal growth.

Keeping true to his life motto of “never stop learning”, Ethan humbly work hard and climbed his way up to be a respected F&B personality today. Major fashion brands such as CHANEL, Mont Blanc, Guess, Giorgio Armani, Diesel, Polo Ralph Lauren, Viktor & Rolf, agnès b and Penhaligon’s have chosen to collaborate with him to design a signature cocktails to showcase on several luxury events.

Ethan’s gregarious disposition has made him a friend of the media where he has been widely featured on publications. Listed but not limited to The Straits Times, Business Times, TODAY, My Paper, Forbes, Robb Report, Singapore Tatler, Prestige, Appetite, Epicure, Surface Asia, The Peak, Her World, Female, Time Out Singapore, Men’s Folio, World Of Watches, Yahoo, SG Magazine, CNN, JPlus, XinMSN, U-Weekly, I-Weekly, L’Officiel, Expat Living, August Man, Designare Homme, ALEXIS, The Malay Mail, Sin Chew Daily, Haute Living, Bernama, Luxury Launches, Toronto Suns, New York Times, CNBC, Asia One, Born Rich, Millionaire Asia and many more.

Accolades & Achievements:

2011

– Birth of Maison Ikkoku Cocktail Bar, Pioneer of Bespoke Cocktail Bar Concept in Singapore.

– Judge for International Bartender Competition 2006, Bar Pro Flair Comp 2009, Bombay Sapphire World's Most Imaginative Bartender Challenge 2012.

2012

– Successfully completed the performance of “The First Flying Cocktails in the world” in I-Fly Singapore, the world largest indoor skydiving and hosted the bespoke cocktails press conference for Mediacorp.

– Invited to conceptualise the entire cocktail list for Spider Room of Avalon (Los Angeles), also in the same month, created “The Jewel Of Pangaea” which was listed as one of The World’s Most Expensive Cocktail. SGD$35k for a glass at Pangaea Singapore located in Marina Bay Sands, Singapore.

– Won the Champion of Bacardi Singapore Cocktails Search and was invited as guest speaker for “Creative Mixer 4.0” held at LASALLE College of The Arts.

– Spokesperson / ambassador for Gc Smart Luxury, The Swiss Made Timepieces (Guess Collections)

2013

– Conceptualised the entire cocktail list for Art Bar (Butter Factory) and Nuvo Restaurant & Bar.

2014

– The personality/ambassador of Urban Homme Face & Body Studio for Men (Mary Chia)

– Designed and developed global drinks menu for Haagen-Dazs outlets worldwide

- Provided Cocktail Bar Service to Malaysian Petroleum Club in KLCC (Malaysia)

– Invited to be the mentorship & motivational speaker for Manhunt Singapore 2014

– Visited Manila & Jakarta on Ambassadorship to promote the Art of Cocktails for Singapore Tourism Board

2015

– Menu Development and Training for Atmosphere Kanifushi Resort in Maldives.

– Maison Ikkoku won “Best Cocktail Bar” Award in HungryGoWhere.com “Eat-lection” the Oscar for Food & Beverages Industry, voted by the people of Singapore.

– Brand Ambassador for Martell, The world renowned Cognac Brand, in celebration of Martell 300 years and Singapore 50 years.

– Opening of a brand new dining & bespoke pairing concept “FORT by Maison Ikkoku”, a contemporary French Japanese Restaurant and Cocktail Bar, Ethan wrote the hats of Executive Director, Chef, Mixologist and interior designer for this brainchild.

– Fujiflim celebrated Singapore 50 years with Ethan as one of the SG50 personalities.

- Provided canapes and cocktail service for "Étourdissant Cartier" a 14 days Cartier High Fashion Jewellery Exhibition,

2016

– Launch of FORT Catering: Bagged Kenzo x H&M, Crabtree & Evelyn within a month.

– Invited as VIP Speaker for the MICS Macau International Clubs Show: “The Art of Mixology”.

– Singapore Fashion Runway X Ethan Leslie Leong “Fashion with a cause” in collaboration with The Singapore Fashion Runway and Ethan leading the runway.

– Maison Ikkoku, once again, won the “Best Cocktail Bar” Award in HungryGoWhere.com “Eat-lection” the Oscar for Food & Beverages Industry, voted by the people of Singapore.

– Invited as Celebrity Mixologist to develop a drinks menu for Crabtree & Evelyn’s Christmas tea collection media launch.

- Maison Ikkoku hosted Wedding Solemnization for Hollywood Actor Henry Golding and Liv Lo.

– Designed and developed Festive drinks menu for Haagen-Dazs outlets worldwide

– Menu Development and Training for the brand new Oblu by Atmosphere Resort in Maldives.

– Maison Ikkoku, on its 5th birthday, being listed as one of the World’s Best Bars.

– Singapore Airlines X Maison Ikkoku, a month long collaborations held in Changi Airport Terminal 2 & Terminal 3 Premier Lounge for Business Class and First Class Passengers only.

2017

– Dan Takeda X Ethan Leslie Leong, a collaborations with Flower Artiste. Mix of Flower Design with Mixology

– Catering to Deutsche Bank

– Catering to Western Bulk

– The launch of Passion Made Possible STB Event Features ELL Spirits and Cocktails

– Cocktail Booth in F1 After Party "Boudoir Blanc"

– Photoshoot of TOP 10 Miss World Singapore

– Hosted Mixology Workshop for Thales NSEA

– 2nd Launch of Passion Made Possible by STB Event Features ELL Spirits and Cocktails

– Canapés and Cocktail Catering to Epicor Software

– Hosted Mixology Workshop for the launch of Huawei New Mobile Phone

– Hosted U.S. Embassy Cocktail Canapés Reception

– Hosted Suites Digital Company Dinner

– Hosted KB Association Xmas Lunch

– Hosted Novartis Company Xmas Dinner

– Cocktail Catering to Michelin Star Restaurant "Saint Pierre"

– Hosted Cooking and Cocktail Workshop "Learn Culture Through Food" by The Style Atelier

– Hosted S47 Christmas Dinner Event

2018

– Launch of new brand outlet Maison Ikkoku The Gallery, a contemporary Art Gallery in a chic Restaurant and Cocktail Bar in Singapore

- Hosted Mixology Workshop for Schroder Investment

- Catering to Deutsche Bank

- Lunch Catering to Eldelman Singapore

- Hosted Cooking and cocktail workshop "Learn Culture Through Food" by The Style Atelier

- Hosted Mixology Workshop for Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Asia

- Hosted Corporate Event for Pallion & ABC Bullion

- Hosted Mixology Workshop for Omega

- Wine Appreciation + Creative Dinner for International Wine & Food Society Singapore

- Hosted Google Asia Pacific’s Corporate Function + Mixology Workshop

- Hosted Standard Chartered Private Equity Singapore Corporate Event

2019

- Received 4 Awards “The Legendary”, “Bar Entrepreneur”, “Best Working Flair”, “Best Showmanship” by Singapore Legendary Bar Awards organized by Bar Stylez

- Jeremy Gillion X Ethan Leslie Leong a collaborations with Michelin Star Chef Cocktail Pairing Dinner in JAG

- Provided Cocktail Bar Catering Service for Rolex

- Provided Cocktail Bar Catering Service for Chopard

- Hosted Mixology Workshop for Google

- Hosted Mixology Workshop for Twitter

- Hosted Mixology Workshop for Freemont

- Hosted Creative Dinner for Steris Solution

- Hosted Thales Nsea Team Bonding Mixology Masterclass

- Hosted Mixology Workshop for Facebook

- Hosted Mixology Competitive Workshop for Japan Tobacco International

- Co-Starred with Hollywood Actor Henry Golding Short Film “Hennessey Odyssey”

2020

- Hosted Mixology Workshop for Tik Tok

- Birth of SLING - Singapore Sling Specialist

- Started Cocktail Delivery in Pandemic

- Started Online Cocktail Masterclass in Pandemic

2021

- Judge for National Cocktail Competition 2021

- Judge for F&N Mocktail Competition 2021

2022

- Maison Ikkoku Featured in Bloomberg Crypto

- Maison ikkoku Hosted Blockchain Fest Welcome Party

- Hosted Mixology Masterclass for Meta (Facebook)

- Ethan Judge for National Cocktail / Mocktail Competition 2022

- Ethan Judge for Moutai Sling Cocktail Competition 2022

- Ethan Judge for Asia Pacific Cocktail Competition 2022

- Ethan Hosted AMA for Asian Television Awards Official NFT “ Glitzy Tribe”

- Maison Ikkoku Featured in Bloomberg Crypto as one of the must visit bar in Singapore

- Maison ikkoku Hosted TOKEN2049 Welcome Party

- Maison Ikkoku Hosted Cocktail & Canapes press events for Crypto.com with Ethan designed the signature cocktail “Fortune Favours The Brave”

2023

- Maison ikkoku Hosted Asia Blockchain Fest 2024 Welcome Party

- Maison ikkoku Hosted TOKEN2049 Welcome Party

- Ethan Judge for National Cocktail / Mocktail Competition 2023

- Ethan Judge for Asia Pacific Cocktail Competition 2023

- Maison Ikkoku Hosted Mixology Masterclass for Japan Tobacco Company

- Birth of Ern Ern Steak & Fries Concept

- Launch of Maison Ikkoku 2.0 with New Interior, New Concept and Special in House 7 Type Distilled Gin Offering

2024