Judging
about the judges
The Bar & Beverage Awards will be judged by a diverse industry panel. Seniority within the bar industry is not a prerequisite to judging, but familiarity with the national landscape – and integrity – is.
Judges are eligible for awards, but they’ll be recused from judging any category they’re nominated in.
This preclusion extends to any bars, brands, businesses or organisations that judges have a direct affiliation with, to avoid a conflict of interest.
head judge
Leah van Deventer
Independent Drinks Writer, Educator & Consultant
consultant based in Cape Town. She sits on numerous global
panels, most notably as an Academy Chair for the World’s 50 Best
Bars, Committee Member for Tales of the Cocktail and blind taster
for both the San Francisco World Spirits and International Wine &
Spirits competitions.
Leah’s received several accolades for her work, including winning
Bar Communicator of the Year three times in her home country of
South Africa, and Top 4 Spirits Communicator of the Year
worldwide.
Additionally, her commitment to effecting positive change has
twice earned her a place among the Bar World 100 as one of the
most influential figures in the global bar industry. She continues
to give back to her community though her sorority, the Sisterhood
for Industry Support (SIS). Find her at leahvandeventer.com
Judging Panel
For 2024, our dynamic and diverse judging panel comprises 46 industry aficionados, handpicked for their passion and expertise. Breaking barriers, this diverse ensemble features 23 talented women and 23 equally impressive men from macros the national landscape.
Each judge brings a unique perspective and unwavering commitment to fairness, having disclosed any potential conflicts of interest. Together, they stand united in their mission to ensure every category receives the equitable consideration it deserves.
All judges are eligible for awards but will be recused from voting where necessary.
Aimee May Donofrio | Owner/Head Bartender at Smoking Kills, Site Manager at Battalion
AJ Durow | Bar & Beverage Consultant – Self-Employed
Albre Marais | Bar Owner at Insurgince
Alecs Maai’ke Besier | Bartender at Rikku, Owner of SERV’D Apparel, MIXO instructor at EBS
Alex Farnell | Prestige Director – Pernod Ricard South Africa
Alexander Fahrenheim | Director at Just Short
Ania Odyniecka | National Sales & Marketing Manager at Sanpellegrino & Acqua Panna
Ayanda Sithole | Bartender at Thirst Bar Services
Bojena Saunders | Brand Advocacy Manager
Burdett Geiling | Production Manager/Logistics at Just Short
Cameron Hawkins | SUBSA Head Advocacy and ORD’s at Bicardi
Cassandra Eichhoff | Director at the European Bartender School in Cape Town
Chantelle Horn | Herder of cats, Filmmaker and Luxury Drink Consultant at Crave Concepts
Charné van Heerden | Self-Employed
Christopher Pheiffer | Owner/GM
Dalu Dube | Head/Master Mixologist and Bar Manager at Burger & Lobster, Nikkei, Hacienda, Scala and Iron Steak and Bar
Daniel Knodl | Director at Just Short
David Donde | CEO of Truth Coffee, Rapt and The Art of Duplicity
Eutécia Name | General Manager at Sin Tax Bar
Evert de Jong | Director at Just Short and Sin Tax Bar
Gary Knoetze | Director at Beverage Chefs
Hester Bergh | Brewery Owner at Beerworks
Jan-Hendrik Venter | Group Beverage Manager for the Slick Restaurant Group (Belthazar, Gibsons and Balducci)
Jono Dempster | Owner at Chunkys Burger Co & Tacolicious
Josh Sarembock | Owner at Fable & Vue Shortmarket
Kholofelo Amanda Seopela | General Manager at Neighbarhood Listening Bar
Lauren Penny | Global Brand Ambassador for Inverroche Gin
Leah Van Deventer | Independent Drinks Writer, Educator & Consultant & Head Judge of the Bar & Beverage Awards
Lee-Ann Singer | FEDHASA Cape Chair and Singer Group Director
Liam Jukes | Bar Manager
Lucinda V Zinyemba | Business Development Consultant t Blacktaxconsulting and Founder of Lucy’s Magique Cocktails
Lucy Beard | Co-Owner at Hope Distillery
Luke Knox | Former Bacardi Brand Ambassador, Industry Mentor and Sales Manager
Marson Strydom | Advocacy Manager at Campari SA
Maynard Booyzen | Head Bartender at A Streetbar Named Desire
Paula Lorang | Founder at PAON Studio
Pieter Oosthuizen | Head of Product at Kegtails
Richie Nahkala | General Manager at Alchemy
Roxanne Read | Head Trainer at EBS
Ryan Duvenage | Diageo Bar Academy Regional Head Trainer: Africa
Sabrina Traubner | Operations Manager for Gubo Consulting
Sheldon van Vuuren | Bar Manager/Benchwarmers Sport Bar
Sivu Nobongoza | FOH Manager at BOMA on Bree & Tiki Tomb
Stephanie Bronwin Oosthuizen | Owner of Socks Premium Syrups and Socks Flair Club
Steven Zylstra | Self-Employed
Tanealé Juanita van der Merwe | National Prestige Brand Ambassador at Pernod Ricard