In this special Athens Bar Show edition of LUCA, THE PODCAST, Luca Missaglia sits down with Leah Van Deventer — journalist, spirits educator, drinks consultant, and Academy Chair for The World’s 50 Best Bars (Southern Africa & Indian Ocean region).

Leah shares her journey from journalism into the global cocktail world and offers a unique insider perspective on hospitality culture, bar rankings, and the importance of community in the industry.

In this conversation, they explore:

• How Leah entered the drinks industry

• Why curiosity is the key to building a career

• The truth behind The World’s 50 Best Bars

• Why people don’t actually go to bars just to drink

• The role of education in shaping the future of bartending

• How networking events like Athens Bar Show create real opportunities

This episode was recorded live during Athens Bar Show, one of the most influential events in the global hospitality industry.

Special thanks to the Athens Bar Show team for making this conversation possible.

The podcast is proudly supported by:

The Art of Shaking

https://theartofshaking.com/

Amaro Santoni

https://amarosantoni.com/en/prodotto/amaro-santoni/

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @lucathepodcast