Co owner of the top 50 Discovery bar, Smoking Kills in Melville as well as a Project manager for Battalion Bars. Having started her career in the event industry 15 years ago while she studied her degree in the field found a deep love for cocktail culture, and how the industry brings people together when being forced to take a step back from the event industry in 2020 during prohibition. Although she has only been a part of the cocktail industry for 5 years, she has hit the ground running both locally and internationally with travel to Germany with the Hubertus Circle and consulting work in Africa. With a focus on making cocktail culture accessible and creating space for both Femme Presenting and Queer members of both the hospitality industry and guests, Aimee has fostered an environment and change in the industry built on inclusion, innovation and fun, because the drink as a part of the hospitality is as important as its ability to allow you to escape, relax and truly be yourself.

Alecs Besier, hailing from the Cape Town bar industry, has spent over 10 years in the industry as a barista, bartender, events planner, bar manager and Bartender trainer. Starting her bartending career at Cause Effect Cocktail kitchen, Alecs has a flair for flavour and niche skills with foraging and botany. Vowing to learn as much about the industry as she could, she has worked for local distilleries and went onto work for Campari to gain brand knowledge. She spent time creating cocktails in Saudi Arabia when covid hit, and eventually took up at 50 Best ranked bar Art of Duplicity, delving into her love for classic cocktails. She has guested in prestigious bars in Milan and Dubai. While she was at the helm of AoD, she went on to win Remy Martin BTA, and represented South Africa globally in France. Since then, she has been nominated as South Africa’s best bartender 2023, ran the bar program at the Michelin star restaurant, managed events for Ajabu Africa Cocktail Festival and teaches at EBS and Pull North Yachting.

Evert de Jong has been working in the industry for 13 years, of which he has worked a wide variety of roles in the industry, from bartender, to events manager, from staff co-ordinator to GM and finally as an owner and director of Sin Tax Bar and Just Short. His passion for people, flavour and experience are what drives him and his teams. He is extremely proud to be a part of such an energetic industry in South Africa.

Josh Sarembock is a founder, entrepreneur, and brand builder shaping the future of South African hospitality. As the driving force behind Fable, he has positioned cape town as a rising voice on the global stage, using cocktails as a medium for storytelling, connection, and cultural pride. At the core of Josh's work is his belief in people. He is a team builder who prioritises culture, collaboration, and growth, creating environments where creativity flourishes and communities form around shared experiences. Under his leadership, fable’s team has become a family of hospitality artists—curious, cheeky, and deeply committed to craft—earning international recognition as one of the world’s most exciting bar collectives. Through his mix of entrepreneurial vision and cultural storytelling, Josh is not only growing brands but also pushing Africa forward, one cocktail and one community at a time.