Cape Town Cocktail Week has announced the launch of its Education Programme, with Kurt Schlechter – visionary behind the award-winning Cause Effect Cocktail Kitchen – appointed as Director of Education.
A Landmark for the Industry
The Education Programme marks an exciting new chapter for Cape Town Cocktail Week, reinforcing its commitment to skills development and industry growth. Mount Nelson, a Belmond Hotel, will host the programme within its world-class conference facilities, offering a refined and inspiring setting for learning and collaboration.
What to Expect
Taking place at the start of the festival from 7–13 December 2026, the Education Programme will feature a dynamic line-up of seminars, panels, and masterclasses led by both local and international experts. Designed to open the festival, it sets the tone for a week dedicated to innovation and excellence in the drinks industry.
The global bar community is invited to submit presentation proposals, while brand partners are encouraged to get involved in shaping and supporting the Education Programme.
Leadership Behind the Education Programme
Schlechter will work closely with festival founder Leah van Deventer to curate the final programme curriculum. Together, they bring a wealth of experience, including nine combined appearances in Drinks International’s Bar World 100, which recognises individuals driving meaningful change in the industry.
Van Deventer is also the current Mentor of the Year at South Africa’s Bar & Beverage Awards, while Schlechter holds the title of Industry Icon. The programme builds on this shared commitment to mentorship and industry advancement.
“Education only works when it’s embedded in the industry it’s meant to serve,” says Schlechter. “Cape Town Cocktail Week offers exactly the right ecosystem.”
“With our combined passion and experience, Leah and I know how to deliver something credible and comprehensive – an Education Programme that genuinely serves the community we’ve spent decades mentoring,” he adds.
“The Education Programme is a natural extension of what Cape Town Cocktail Week stands for,” says Van Deventer. “With nearly 30 years of experience spearheading education across the continent, Kurt is the ideal person to lead it.”
Hosted at Mount Nelson, A Belmond Hotel
Set beneath Table Mountain, Mount Nelson, A Belmond Hotel provides the perfect backdrop for the Education Programme. Known for its heritage and hospitality excellence, the hotel is also home to Planet Bar – one of Cape Town’s pioneering cocktail venues and the first in the city to be listed among the World’s 50 Best Bars in 2009.
“Mount Nelson is synonymous with the very best of Cape Town and is the ideal setting for the Education Programme,”
says Van Deventer.
“We are thrilled to partner with Cape Town Cocktail Week to host this year’s Education Programme,” says Clement Edwards, Assistant F&B Manager. “Our aim is to inspire creativity and learning while celebrating Cape Town as a hub for innovation and knowledge-sharing through mindful mixology.”
Submit to be a part of the Education Programme
Submissions are now open, with limited places available. Industry professionals, educators, and communicators are invited to propose sessions that contribute to skills development and innovation within the global drinks space.
Deadline: 5 June 2026
Submit HERE.
Brand partnerships can contact: kurt@capetowncocktailweek.com | leah@capetowncocktailweek.com
About Cape Town Cocktail Week
Cape Town Cocktail Week is a citywide festival celebrating the city’s vibrant cocktail culture through curated experiences, special offers, and industry events. Participating bars across Cape Town feature on the official map, each offering exclusive cocktails to guests wearing a festival wristband.
The 2026 edition runs from 7–13 December, perfectly timed with the start of Cape Town’s peak summer season and year-end energy.
