at Republic

Chef Raj started his culinary career with The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore in 2008 as a line cook. Within his first five years of service, Raj was made Demi Chef and in 2014, he earned a promotion to Chef de Partie, responsible for large-scale weddings and banquet events, as well as external catering services for citywide events such as the Singapore Airshow and the Singapore Grand Prix.  

While he specialises in Malay and Peranakan cuisines, Raj is also adept in executing Western and Asian dishes. As Sous Chef, he now helms the culinary operations in Republic and plays an integral part in conceptualising and elevating the food menu.

JI discovered his passion for bartending after attending a Flair Bartending workshop held by his university in 2012. Thereafter, he immersed himself in the industry as a barback for events, attending mixology seminars and taking part in bartending competitions, while working his way up to a full-fledged bartender.  

Prior to joining Republic, JI worked at OTO in Makati, as well as at Philipppines' first arcade bar, Versus Barcade. No stranger to bartending competitions, JI was crowned Champion in the 2019 Bacardi Legacy Cocktail Competition Philippines, and represented his country in the Southeast Asia Finals. He dreams of being the best in his craft someday, and is delighted to be working in Singapore - which he deems as the mecca of cocktail bars in Asia. 

On his off days, JI likes to café hop in search of the best coffee. He is also passionate about music and is currently learning how to play the drums. If you see him behind the bar, do ask how it is coming along! 

Fuelled by his passion in hospitality, Jun Gyu began his journey as an In-Room Dining Server at The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore in 2023. Whenever he had the opportunity, he assisted at the nearby Pool Bar, where he began experimenting with drinks, sparking a love for bartending that would springboard his career at Republic.

With a keen eye for finding beauty in the unexpected, he experiments with often-overlooked ingredients to create drinks that not only delight guests but also honour local heritage. 

Hailing from South Korea, Jun's deep curiosity about languages and cultures took him to Guangzhou, China, where he learnt Mandarin. He later travelled to Malaysia, where he immersed himself in the vibrant local culture while pursuing a foundation in commerce and a degree in International Hospitality Management.

When Jun is not shaking up cocktails, he is a true foodie with a taste for local and Indian cuisine.