Taneale mixes up world-class taste explosions
GREENSIDE – Bartending and mixology has often been associated with men who have been at the frontline of fine drinking and cocktail culture around the world. Finally, innovative and exceptional female bartenders are taking their rightful place and mixing with the best of them to become the finest mixologists.
In less than two years, Taneale van der Merwe has made a name for herself in the male-dominated industry and brought along explosive taste and originality. Earlier this year, the 22-year-old made it into the top 10 of Diageo World Class National Finals.
In such a maledominated industry, she was the only woman in the World Class National Finals this year competing against nine other top bartenders in South Africa. “That was a really big achievement for me and I’ve only been doing this for about a year and a half now.
It was a very overwhelming experience,” she said. Making it into the top six at the finals, the Greenside resident said she entered the competition on an impulse and was excited that she had the opportunity to compete against the best in the industry.
Although young, Van der Merwe has inevitably paved the way for aspiring female mixologists. A partnership with News Cafe and Diageo saw her create limited edition cocktails suited for all women in celebration of Women’s Month.
The three cocktails are dubbed the Sisterhood of Cocktails, and Van der Merwe said the drinks were inspired by Haig Club Clubman, Johnnie Walker Gold Label and Tanqueray gin and how these brands inspire a whisky or gin enthusiast to enjoy the perfect drink. “It was more of an inspiration surrounding women and breaking stereotypes.
What I wanted to do with each of the cocktails was cater for all women,” Van der Merwe said. She explained how she fell into bartending and mixology by chance after she found a home at Molecular Bars.
She also shares her trade with Lions Head Beverage Company and The Little Fox Cocktail Bar with two mentors, Gareth Wainwright and Chantelle Horn on her side. Van der Merwe said she would still have found her foot in the hospitality industry even if it wasn’t through bartending.
“I’ve always wanted to be a chef. I’ve always loved flavours and played around in the kitchen. That’s generally where my love for flavour started,” Van der Merwe said. Taking a break from competitions, she said she was soaking in all the lessons she has learnt throughout her mixology journey and would come back with a bang. “There has been huge growth and I’ve learnt a lot about myself. There’s been a lot of self-improvement and a lot more selfawareness, it was very hard but it was all worth it,” she said.
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