David Lebeer, Belgium's best bartender
Have you heard of David Lebeer and his famous cocktail creations? He is now officially known as Belgium's best bartender. Hailing from Ghent, he won the Diageo World Class Bartender of the Benelux of the Year 2018.
The World Class Competition is the world's biggest bartending competition, with more than 10,000 competitors from 55 countries every year. David Lebeer of The Cobbler in Ghent, has landed the title of best bartender in the Benelux.
During the competition, Lebeer conjured up his highly desirable cocktails. This year's themes were: ‘Wanderlust’ and ‘Signature Serve’. Each finalist designed two creations: one inspired by their homeland and another by a faraway place, with the emphasis laid on their individual character. The bartender was up against seven fellow Belgians and two Luxembourgers. The final was ultimately between Lebeer and Yen Pham. A jury of five made the final decision. “It's so surreal to have won, but it feels really great,” Lebeer told the daily newspaper De Standaard. “I will try and talk to a lot of former winners to learn from them in preparation for the final. Hopefully I can put Belgium on the map there.”
On 6 October, David Lebeer will be battling it out against 50 bartenders from across the globe for the title of World Class Bartender of the Year 2018 during the final in Berlin. Who will succeed Canada's Kaitlyn Stewart as the world's best bartender?