Bols Cocktail Battle Judges

Singapore

Kay Lee
Trade Marketing Lead MOT, Platinum Wines & Spirits
With over 21 years in the industry, Kay has progressed from bartending and bar management into sales and trade marketing leadership. He now leads on- and off-trade strategy, bringing strong commercial expertise and deep cocktail knowledge to Singapore's spirits market.

Deborah Chiu
Brand Executive, Lucas Bols Portfolio
Deborah oversees the Lucas Bols portfolio at Platinum Wines & Spirits, with experience in trade marketing, key accounts, and brand activations. She combines strong commercial instinct with a genuine appreciation for cocktail culture.

Keith Chia
2025 Lucas Bols Cocktail Battle Champion
Keith Chia won the 2025 Bols Cocktail Competition, recognised for his creativity, technical precision, and bold flavour expression. He represents a new generation of bartenders, combining refined craftsmanship with modern storytelling.

South Korea

Danny Kim
Brand Specialist
Danny Kim is a Brand Specialist with experience supporting premium spirits brands through trade engagement, activations, and on-premise partnerships.

Austria

Samuel Schwalb
Head of On-Trade
With previous experience at Diageo, Samuel joined Schlumberger in 2020 and now leads On-Trade. Known for his strong industry insight, he has also served as showmaster for recent Cocktail Battle finals.

Moritz Niederstrasser
Area Sales Manager Prestige
Formerly a bartender and bar consultant - including at the 5* Rosewood Vienna - Moritz now manages high-end accounts and leading mixology bars in Vienna. He also serves as a Cocktail Battle judge.

Argentina

Gonzalo Duarte
Bartender & Brand Ambassador
Head Bartender at Frank's Bar, Argentina's first speakeasy, Gonzalo is recognised as a pioneer of the country's modern cocktail movement. His style blends creativity, technique, and genuine hospitality.

Federico Cuco
Bartender
With over 30 years in the industry, Federico Cuco is a leading figure in Argentine cocktail culture and co-founder of the iconic Verne Club. Named among Drinks International's 100 Most Influential People in the Global Bar Industry (2019), he is also a respected educator, media personality, and competition judge.

Matias Jurisich
Artisanal Beverage Producer
With a background across gastronomy and bar operations, Matias is the creator of Jurisich Liqueurs, Caburé Rum, Pimpollal Aperitif, and award-winning Pichincha Vermouth. A conference speaker and former Bols Around the World finalist, he is a leading voice in Argentina's craft beverage scene.

Hungary

Norbert Schök
Bar Wanderer
Norbert Schök is an experienced Hungarian bartender turned consultant and brand ambassador, currently involved in launching a new cocktail bar in central Budapest. Having worked internationally in Dublin and Madrid, and represented brands such as Diplomático Rum, he has helped shape leading venues including GoodSpirit, Kollázs at Four Seasons, KNRDY and l'Occhio di Stile. A former president of the Hungarian Bartenders' Association, he is known for innovative, wine-based and seasonal cocktails, with a focus on elevating guest experience and Hungary's mixology scene.

Scandinavia

Natasha Bekhradi
Nordic Brand Ambassador, Lucas Bols (Edrington Nordics)
Natasha brings experience from premium cocktail bars, most recently Lucy's Flower Shop (World's 50 Best Bars). As Nordic Brand Ambassador, she champions executional excellence and brand education across the region.

UK

Adam Taylor
Head of Bar Development
An award-winning bartender and competition mentor, Adam has won Meisterhunter Global and Pursuit of Perfection UK (twice). Now Head of Bar Development for one of the North's most awarded independent bar groups, he brings competition expertise and industry insight to the Bols judging panel.

Ireland

Richard Delahoyde
Premium Spirits Brand Ambassador
With nearly 20 years in hospitality, Richie has worked across high-end bars, distilleries, and global brands. He is also Operations Manager for the Cocktail Apprentice Programme at Tales of the Cocktail in New Orleans.

Portugal

Pedro Nascimento
Spirits Manager, Vinalda
Pedro has over 20 years' experience in the Portuguese spirits sector, spanning events, marketing, and commercial roles with Pernod Ricard, Bacardi Martini, and Carlsberg Group. He now manages leading spirits brands including Bols at Vinalda.

Gonçalo Almeida
President, Estoril Bartender Association
With 15 years in the Portuguese bar industry, Gonçalo has worked in leading hotels and restaurants and as a brand ambassador for major spirits brands. He is President of the Estoril Bartender Association and teaches Bar Management at the Estoril Hospitality School.

Jaime Montgomery
Beverage Consultant | WSET Spirits Educator
Portugal-based consultant and WSET-certified educator, Jaime works across consultancy, large-scale events, and training. A former competitor turned judge, he focuses on service excellence and guest experience beyond the cocktail itself.

Vietnam

Vang Hieu Trung (Paul)
Lucas Bols Brand Ambassador Vietnam
A former bartender with experience at leading Ho Chi Minh City venues, Paul won World Class Vietnam in 2022. Now Lucas Bols Brand Ambassador for Vietnam, he is dedicated to developing the local bartender community.

Italy

Lorenzo Burrone
National Bols Brand Ambassador – Branca
Lorenzo Burrone is National Brand Ambassador for Bols and Branca, supporting brand education, trade engagement, and bartender development across his market.

Switzerland

Wolfgang Mayer
Manager Bar & Lounges
Born in southern Germany, Wolfgang has built an international career across Europe and is a multiple cocktail competition winner. He has led Widder Bar for 15 years and serves as Director of Bars for Widder Bar & The Living Circle.

Thailand

Bank - Pasit Akrasirirattanakun
Brand Ambassador for Alchemy Thailand
Bank Pasit Akrasirirattanakun is a seasoned beverage professional with over 12 years of experience in the industry. Throughout his career, Bank has specialized in brand education, professional training, and on-trade advocacy. He is known for translating brand strategy into practical, actionable knowledge that resonates with hospitality professionals. By working closely with trade partners, he empowers bar teams with the skills and understanding needed to elevate performance and deliver meaningful brand experiences.

Canada & USA West

Eric Ribeiro
Mixology Consultant, Lucas Bols USA
With over 30 years in hospitality, Eric transitioned from fine dining kitchens in Paris to leading cocktail innovation in the US. Formerly at the Diageo Bar in New York, he now serves as Lead Educator at Bols Academy USA and consults globally on cocktail development, training, and brand strategy.

Malaysia, Germany & Romania

Additionally, Monique ten Kortenaar, Ivar De Lange and Kimli Bottalico will assist in judging the US, Canada, Hungary, Scandinavia and South Korea.

Monique ten Kortenaar
Master Distiller, The Lucas Bols Company
With a background in chemical laboratory technique and food & beverage technology, Monique brings over 26 years of expertise in flavour and spirits development. Her career has spanned roles from chemical analyst to flavourist, sensory panel leader and quality manager, culminating in her position as Distillery Manager & Head Distiller at Lucas Bols, where she leads distillation and product innovation.

Ivar De Lange
Global Education and Engagement Director, The Lucas Bols Company
Ivar began bartending in Amsterdam in 1996 and opened his own cocktail bar in 2008. An award-winning bartender - including World Class Best Bartender and Best Bar in the Netherlands - he now leads the Bols Cocktail Academy and global cocktail programme, while consulting internationally for bars and luxury hospitality groups.

Kimli Bottalico
Brand Associate and Trainer, The Lucas Bols Company
Kimli works across bartender engagement, industry events, and community initiatives at Lucas Bols, including organising the Bols Cocktail Battle. As a trainer at the Bols Cocktail Academy, she delivers masterclasses and champions creativity, technique, and storytelling in cocktail culture.

Balthazar Breij
Trainer & Brand Educator, The Lucas Bols Company
With over 25 years in hospitality, Balthazar is an experienced bartender, former venue manager, and longtime flair competitor. Now Academy Trainer & Brand Educator at Bols, he combines global experience with hands-on expertise, while still running his own cocktail and rum bar.