Johnny Chung: Senior Bartender at the Peninsula Hotel
Johnny Chung, son of a former Lobby Captain and now the Senior Bartender at the Peninsula Hotel has been there for 50 years. He shares with Jan Leung his deep love for the place.
HK: Fifty years working at the same place, aren’t you bored?
Johnny Chung: Never. I have been in love with the Peninsula since I was a kid. It was the grandest place in Hong Kong back in the 60s, back when there were only two big hotels – the Miramar and the Peninsula. My father worked here too and before his death, he ordered me to work here so his colleagues could take care of me. This is my first job – and probably my last as well. Two generations working in the same hotel – I think we are a rare case! Actually, I’m not the only person that has worked here for so long – another concierge here also worked here for 50 years!
HK: Ever thought of leaving the place?
JC: Not really, though there were a lot of people asking me to work for them somewhere else. They tempted me with high salaries and bigger title – a customer even asked me to go to the States and offered to fix the passport for me. But I said no because there is no place like the Peninsula!
HK: What makes working here so special?
JC: Not that I am bragging, but back in the old days, people’s eyes started to glitter whenever I told them where I worked. It was hard to get a job here. Before the harbor tunnel was built, we needed to take the ferry to get to Hong Kong Island. It was usually a long line. Only a few cars were given priority – the Governor’s car, ambulances, police cars and the Peninsula’s ones. We are the ultimate symbol of prestige!
HK: Tell us about your favorite memory here.
JC: Believe it or not, I was actually the first person to introduce the screwdriver cocktail to Hong Kong – and Clark Gable taught me how to mix it! Cocktails were not that popular back then. We are talking the days before 7-Up was available here. So I was working at the lobby lounge, and Clark Gable asked for a “Screwdriver” so I gave him a real screwdriver! He was a patient man, and he taught me to mix the orange juice and vodka, with six ice cubes in the glass. I still remembered my hands were shaking since I didn’t want to screw up in front of this big movie star.
HK: What makes you a special bartender?
JC: For some reason, I have a superb memory. I can remember my customers’ names and the drinks they order so whenever they return, I will know what to prepare without them having to order. Say, ten years from if you walk in the bar, I’d still be able to call out your name and ask you if you want the drink you ordered today. People like that a lot. I have customers returning to the bar just to see me again. Every day there is a crowd of people sitting at the bar, waiting for me to show up at happy hour. No amount of money can buy this kind of satisfaction!
HK: I heard you were still single...
JC: Yeah, I dated a girl once. I met my first love when I was 30 through a friend. I spent too much time at the hotel, so the girl thought I was not serious about her, got mad and married someone else. That was the only romance I have had and I screwed it up! I have gotten over that since that was more than 30 years ago... But if I could rewrite history, I would have tried harder to make it work. I think my relationship with the Peninsula is by far the most successful one. The Peninsula is my wife!