French woman serves up gender breakthrough with bartender title

MIAMI — Jennifer Le Nechet of France showed her spirit and skill to become the first woman to be crowned Bartender of the Year at a glitzy, cocktail-inspired final in Florida on Thursday.

The 29-year-old Le Nechet, from Paris, battled through a year-long competition that attracted almost 10,000 global competitors, with the best 56 selected for the Miami finals.

The four-day decider took place at a film studio on Miami Beach and tested contestants on their pouring accuracy, speed, originality and creativity.

"I'm the first woman to win the competition. So it's really amazing," Le Nechet said of the eight-year-old event organised by drinks maker Diageo.

The final test saw the last six competitors given one day to design a pop-up bar to showcase their best drinks for a panel of judges.

Le Nechet won over the judges with a "spectacular range of vibrant drinks" at her Steampunk-themed bar.

"I don't believe it," she said. "It's crazy. I worked so hard for this competition." — Reuters

Editing by Patrick Johnston