About Bartender - Peter Davis
I have been bartending for four years now, with a total of eight years in the service industry. When I'm not behind the bar, you can catch me paddleboarding with my dog or boarding down a mountain. My spirit of choice is tequila, but my favorite drink is a Black Manhattan.
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About Bartender - Taylor Fahnestock
I am the Operations Manager for our ElderPlace/PACE Clinic in South Seattle. Originally from Texas, I moved to the PNW in 2016 with my spouse Nik and our pup Huckleberry. I have had the pleasure of working in healthcare and with seniors for about 10 years, and I have bartended on and off for about 15 years. I love the interaction bartending brings almost as much as I love the work I do with Providence and the seniors we help. Cheers!
About Bartender - Simone van Eeden
Simone van Eeden, Spirits Captain at El Gaucho Seattle (EGS) and Spirits Syndicate Lead, brings 17 years of global hospitality experience to the Seattle cocktail scene. Originally from Pretoria, South Africa, she was drawn to EGS in 2022 for its high standards and inspiring team. Her most formative bartending experience was at a jazz club in Fort Collins, Colorado, where she trained under one of the industry’s top consulting groups. A self-proclaimed perfectionist, Simone's background as an Olympic-level gymnast and competitive chess player instilled in her a fierce drive, discipline, and strategic mindset—qualities she channels into her work behind the bar.
Now a proud U.S. citizen, Simone continues to evolve her craft by blending classic cocktail traditions with innovative techniques. She draws inspiration from an extensive home spirits collection, cocktail history, and menus from renowned bars worldwide. Whether revisiting forgotten recipes or experimenting with new flavor combinations, Simone brings deep knowledge and storytelling flair to every drink she creates.
About Bartender - Jonathan Mathews
Jonathan Mathews is the Principal Designer of KWANCHAI - Jonathan Mathews Design Group, one of the leading event design firms in Seattle. He is the owner of Kwanchai Liquor Company, locally crafted spirits. Jonathan has competed in Providence O Christmas Trees for three years!
About Bartender - Duncan Chase
Originally from New England, Duncan Chase has been a defining presence in Seattle's cocktail scene since 1997. After working in Alaska, he moved to Seattle and became immersed in the hospitality industry, bringing craft, creativity, and community to each establishment. Duncan has developed signature cocktail menus for top restaurants, including Seastar Restaurant & Raw Bar, and created culturally inspired cocktails at TASTE at the Seattle Art Museum.
Duncan's innovative approach has earned him national recognition, including as a finalist in the Diageo World Class competition. He began teaching cocktail classes in the early 2000s for charitable causes, which expanded into public classes at TASTE and Scotch & Vine in Des Moines, WA. Known for his expertise, Duncan now serves at The Lobby Bar at REN, continuing to showcase his unique style and knowledge of spirits.
About Bartender - Lauren Davidson
Lauren is a Seattle-born-and-raised bartender (specifically from Capitol Hill and the Central District), aspiring visual artist, former college soccer player, wine enthusiast, and lover of plants and animals. This is her third year competing with us, and she is representing the Zig Zag Café!
