Leah van Deventer | Source | WSET Spirits Educator at International Wine Education Centre

I’m a multi-faceted spirits professional, with expertise in various alcohol- and bar-related arenas.

As well as being a widely published writer, I'm a global speaker on all things bar related, and have presented to large crowds at events like Tales of the Cocktail, Athens Bars Show, Ajabu Cocktail and Spirits Festival, Cape Town Beverage Show, and more.

In addition, I judge bars, spirits and cocktails professionally, including San Francisco World Spirits Competition, the International Wine and Spirits Competition and Concours Mondial. I'm also an Academy Chair for The World’s 50 Best Bars.

Furthermore, I’m an educator and edutainer, teaching spirits theory and systematic tasting as well as offering a fun, informative masterclasses and drinks-centric corporate team-building activities.

Finally, I'm the founder and director of Sisterhood for Industry Support (SIS), an upliftment initiative for women in the drinks industry.

RECENT ACCOLADES
Top 100 most influential figures in the global bar industry: Bar World 100 2022+23+24 (currently sitting at #49 worldwide)
Mentor of the Year: Bar & Beverage Awards 2024
Bar Communicator of the Year: Bar & Beverage Awards 2023
Upliftment Initiative of the Year: Bar & Beverage Awards 2023
Top 4 Spirits Communicator Trophy: IWSC 2023