Hospitality advocacy group Club Suntory has welcomed Indonesia’s Hartono (Ono) Moe, Co-Founder and Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) of TOMA Group to Australia to participate in the Sumi Series.
The series is a platform spotlighting bold industry voices and rising stars from across the Asia-Pacific region.
Visiting Syndey’s Suntory Oceania offices, Moe led a masterclass to industry professional including bartenders and media, on the flavour pairing philosophies and storytelling techniques of the TOMA Group.
These techniques helped TOMA Brasserie’s cocktail menu be recognised by Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2024 and land a top three spot in the Siete Misterios Best Cocktail Menu Award 2024, chosen from hundreds of global submissions.
His advice to others in the industry was simple – to build a strong sense of purpose and think outside the box.
“We are quite humbled to have come this far. After I analysed how we made it here, I realised that the reason is that we have a clear identity, we don’t try to copy someone,” he said.
Moe’s insights focused on ‘How to make your bar the talk of the town’, with an emphasis on creativity, innovation and skills for small bars with limited resources.
Delivering lessons on branding, team empowerment, and crafting memorable guest experiences, Moe focused on how this is possible without relying on big budgets or expensive tools.
He showed examples of how TOMA uses whole ingredients to create infusions and unique flavours – all skills that can be replicated with standard bar equipment.
The masterclass was followed by a guest shift at Sydney’s Bar Sumi.
There, Moe offered guests a sneak peek of OSMO’s cocktail philosophy, which is using humble ingredients and smart techniques to create drinks that shine using purposeful design and clear flavour.
Using reimagined Suntory spirits, Moe served cocktails which championed house infused ‘palo santo’ roku gin and house made chocolate bitters by TOMA group’s head of cocktails Agung ‘El hombre’ Satria.
These sessions also mark the international pre-launch of OSMO, TOMA Group’s upcoming cocktail bar opening in August 2025.
TOMA group’s cocktail ‘Skip the intro’ – shiso cold infused haku vodka, yuzu, green tea yoghurt, peach, lime juice and simple syrup. Image supplied. 
Moe presenting to Club Suntory. Image supplied. 
Hartono (Ono) Moe, Club Suntory. Image supplied. 
Ella Jones, Suntory Brand Activation Specialist addressing the group. Image supplied. 
Club Suntory attendees and team. Image supplied.