Rich McDonough is The Mood Therapist, focusing on Modernist techniques to create unique and compelling cocktails. He has worked with a number of The World’s 50 Best Bars and Asia’s 50 Best Bars including 69 Colebrooke Row in London, Jose Andres’ BarMini in Washington DC and Quinary in Hong Kong as well as some of the world’s finest hotels including the Sofitel Legend Metropole, Aman Resorts, JW Marriott, Park Hyatt, Zannier Hotels and Intercontinental Hotels. He has conducted numerous events for luxury brands including Christian Dior and Vietnam’s own Marou Chocolate as well as alcohol brands including Sông Cái Gin, Sampan Rhum, Moet et Chandon Champagne, Tanqueray Gin, Johnnie Walker Whisky, Hennessy Cognac, Flor de Cana Rum, Belvedere Vodka, Zacapa Rum, Bulleit Bourbon and Glenmorangie Whisky. Rich has been the Chief Intoxicologist at every Luang Prabang Film Festival since 2015, in addition to other festivals including the ASEAN Pride Festival and Vietnam’s first ever Gin Festival. In 2019, Rich brought a team from London’s Drink Factory on a cocktail tour of Vietnam. Rich was honored to be be on the judging panels for cocktail competitions including the World Class Vietnam Finals in both 2021 & 2022 and the Flor de Cana Rum Frontiers Challenge in 2017 and to be invited to present two sessions for Bar Convent Berlin 2021 on vacuum distillation. Rich is also a Social Media Influencer for Buchi, building on his experience in vacuum distillation using a Buchi Rotovapor. Rich has recently joined the TUNG Group of companies, behind TUNG Dining and Å by Tung, where his first project will be the beverage programme at a new bar called Kuusi by Tung, located in Hanoi.
