Larry Godefroid, from the bar Chemistry & Botanic's in Brussels, won the title of Best Bartender of Belgium at the 61st National Union of Belgium’s Bartenders competition.
The contestants faced multiple challenges during the competition; answering a questionnaire in English about bar products, a blind smell and taste test, making five servings of an identical cocktail in seven minutes, and presenting their cocktail in English.
Godefroid distinguished himself with his creation, the Jewel Velvet, a cocktail consisting of whisky, yellow chartreuse, sherry wine, bitter and a strawberry and mint foam.
The 23-year-old bartender will represent Belgium at the International Bartenders Association’s (IBA) 2024 World Cocktail Championship, set to occur in Madeira, Portugal from 31 October to 3 November.
Rabath Saliba from Bar du Marché, also in Brussels, and Claude Remacle-Laborie, from Plaisirs Symples, were the runner-ups.
