Leah van Deventer is a South African writer, curator and strategist working at the forefront
of the global drinks industry. Based in Cape Town, her work spans journalism, education,
public speaking, judging, consulting and event direction, with a focus on shaping
contemporary conversations around hospitality, spirits and cocktail culture.

Recognised internationally as a leading voice, Leah has judged more than 80 industry
competitions worldwide and serves as Academy Chair for The World’s 50 Best Bars. She
regularly presents seminars at global bar shows and events, while her byline is prolific in
publications covering food, drink and travel.

In South Africa, her current focus is on Cape Town Cocktail Week, a city-wide festival
dedicated to advancing cocktail culture and industry cooperation that she founded in
2025. She also teaches spirits through the Wine & Spirit Education Trust and works with
brands, events and organisations across the drinks sector in strategic, educational and
advisory capacities.

Alongside her commercial and editorial work, Leah is committed to mentorship and
industry upliftment. In 2022, she founded SIS, an initiative created to foster solidarity,
support and professional development within the hospitality community.

Her work has earned numerous accolades, including five consecutive placements in the
Bar World 100 list of the global bar industry’s most influential figures (ranked #33 in 2026),
three South African Bar Communicator of the Year awards, a global Top 4 placement for
Spirits Communicator of the Year 2023, South African Mentor of the Year 2024 and Africa’s
Food & Drink Writer of the Year 2026. SIS was named South Africa’s Best Upliftment Initiative
in 2023, while Cape Town Cocktail Week received Africa’s Drinks Festival of the Year in
2026.

More at leahvandeventer.com.