The world’s top bartender, Kaitlyn Stewart, has a special affection for Vancouver.

Six minutes. Six iconic cocktails. All set in a Mexican wrestling ring.

This wasn’t the bartending scenario Kaitlyn Stewart envisioned when she first began mixing drinks 11 years ago to fund her university education.

The wild and entertaining Lucha Libre wrestling challenge was one of several intense competitions Stewart faced in Mexico City in 2017, which ultimately led her to becoming the World Class bartending champion.

Vancouver-based Stewart, initially hesitant about entering the Diageo-sponsored competition, never imagined the thrilling journey that lay ahead.

“I’m not the most polished. I don’t wear a three-piece suit. I know a lot about bartending, spirits, and cocktail culture, but I’m not like some of my colleagues who are walking encyclopedias,” said Stewart, 32.

However, she pushed herself beyond her comfort zone, joining over 10,000 competitors worldwide in the World Class competition.

In Canada, Stewart ranked No. 1 among 26 regional finalists and advanced to the global competition, where she triumphed over competitors from 55 countries, only four of whom were women.

Stewart is only the second woman to ever be named World Class Bartender of the Year, following Jennifer Le Nechet from France, who won the title in 2016.

“I don’t take this lightly,” Stewart said. “I’m really proud to be a part of paving the way for more women to take the lead in this industry.”

Stewart’s creativity and presence – drawing from her background in film school, acting in commercials, and years of dancing and sports – likely played a role in securing her victory.

The path to winning was tough. From submitting her first recipe and doing a Skype interview to facing the final challenge in Mexico City, Stewart estimates she crafted around 60 cocktails, many of which were inspired by her family and her deep love for Vancouver.

“Having the mountains as my backdrop every day and the ocean just a few blocks from my home – it’s hard to beat,” Stewart said. “The city is full of greenery, and the culture here is incredible.”

The vibrant food and drink scene in Vancouver plays a big role in Stewart’s life. While she enjoys rare moments of relaxation with her cats, Jack and Goose, at home, she’s always brimming with new ideas for the best places to eat and drink in the city.

The heart of the downtown business district.

When Stewart isn’t traveling the world as a brand ambassador for Diageo Reserve (recently visiting St. Petersburg, Russia), she manages the bar at Royal Dinette (905 Dunsmuir St.), a “farm-to-city” restaurant located in Vancouver’s bustling downtown financial district.

Vancouver Magazine named Royal Dinette the best Pacific Northwest restaurant in 2017. The menu offers a rotating selection of seasonal dishes, including house-made sausage with pickles and apple barbecue sauce, and albacore tuna confit paired with Manitoba white beans and preserved lemon tonnato.

Under Stewart’s leadership, the bar program stands out. Cocktails like the campfire-inspired Kumbaya – made with hickory-smoked rye, Amaro Montenegro, local cherry cedar bitters, and a perfectly toasted marshmallow – are a testament to her inventive approach.

Before this, Stewart worked at the classic, retro Gerard Lounge inside The Sutton Place Hotel (845 Burrard St.), where she once witnessed Anjelica Huston and her crew finishing off a bottle of whiskey.

The Sutton Place Hotel’s residential tower attracts guests from the film and TV industry, so it’s not uncommon to spot famous faces there, especially since the location’s private, tucked-away atmosphere provides a sense of seclusion.

Gastown and Chinatown.

Beyond the downtown financial district, the neighboring areas of Gastown and Chinatown are home to some of the city’s best food and drink spots.

For a delightful mix of West Coast and French-inspired cuisine paired with excellent cocktails, Stewart recommends L’Abattoir (217 Carrall St.).

L’Abattoir, set in the former site of Vancouver’s first jail in the historic Gastown district, offers dishes like baked Pacific oysters with whipped garlic butter and truffle, and Arctic char with pommes dauphine, cucumber, and dill.

Located just above, on the second floor with a view of Maple Tree Square, The Diamond (6 Powell St.) offers a stellar selection of both original and classic cocktails, each with its own story. For example, The Adonis, Circa 1880s, Waldorf Astoria, NYC.

In the heart of Chinatown, Bao Bei (163 Keefer St.) serves up creative cocktails alongside modern Chinese small plates. Stewart’s favorites include the pea tips with garlic and shaoxing rice wine, and the sticky rice cakes. “They’ve got this unique texture that I just love,” she shared.

Just a few steps from Bao Bei, The Keefer Bar (135 Keefer St.) is a standout in Vancouver’s cocktail scene. With its 33rd menu since opening in 2010, the bar always offers something new. Best-sellers include the rosemary gimlet and the Keefer 75, which features dragonfruit-infused gin.

Kitsilano and South Granville.

After years in downtown, Stewart relocated to Kitsilano, just across the Burrard Bridge. The neighborhood, known as the home of yoga brand lululemon, is a vibrant mix of families and young professionals.

“It’s a wonderful neighborhood for walking,” Stewart said. “What I love about it is that it feels a bit removed from the hustle of the city, but you're still only five minutes from downtown Vancouver.”

Maenam (1938 West 4th Ave.) is just around the corner from Stewart’s apartment, where Chef Angus An continues to offer a seasonal, locally inspired menu of Thai dishes with a modern twist.

Stewart recommends the black pepper Dungeness crab when it's available on the menu. The grilled sausage and crispy rice salad, with house-fermented pork sausage, crispy rice puffs, coriander, lemongrass, ginger, and fried shallots, is another standout dish.

Stewart’s favorite local bar is Grapes & Soda (1541 West 6th Ave.), located in the nearby South Granville neighborhood. Here, organic and biodynamic wines are paired with creative cocktails like the Giancarlo – a blend of rum, juniper citrus sherbet, tiki bitters, lime, and IPA.

Next door at sister restaurant Farmer’s Apprentice (1535 West 6th Ave.), chef/owner David Gunawan has been sourcing high-quality, local ingredients since opening in 2013. Gunawan is also the visionary behind the concept at Royal Dinette.

When she’s not mixing or enjoying cocktails, Stewart loves the London Fog – a Vancouver-born drink made with Earl Grey tea, steamed milk, and vanilla. For the best London Fogs and chocolate croissants in the city, she swears by Beaucoup Bakery (2150 Fir St.).

“I try to avoid walking past there every day, or I’d be tempted to stop in and eat a croissant every single day,” she joked.

Granville Island.

At the base of Kitsilano lies Granville Island, home to the popular Granville Island Public Market. Stewart enjoys strolling to the market to pick up fresh produce, seafood, flowers, and other local treasures.

The island is also a vibrant hub for hundreds of businesses, many of which create art and handcrafted goods.

One such business is Search & Rescue Denim Co., which specializes in crafting customizable denim, leather, and vinyl aprons for professionals ranging from barbers to bartenders.

Stewart owns a camouflage apron with leather straps and bold, chunky hardware that she especially loves.

“If I could wear an apron every single day, I definitely would. It would make me look so much fancier than I really am,” she laughed.

Kingsway and Fraser.

For fresh, simple Italian cuisine, Stewart is a big fan of Savio Volpe (615 Kingsway), an osteria southeast of downtown known for its handmade pastas and meats cooked over a wood-fired grill and rotisserie.

Before or after visiting Savio Volpe, she often stops by Crowbar (646 Kingsway), which is right across the street, to grab a drink.

When the world’s best bartender is at the bar, you can be sure their drinks will hit the mark.