About me

I’m an entrepreneur in wine and whisky,Benedicte Mendy have always bathed in a mixture of Aromas and flavours. Spending her childhood in Normandie(France) gave her the opportunity to be familiar with fresh products,spirits, cider distillers of wine of the regon, and West African Cuisine from her parents.As well ,under the induction of her father,keen on gastronomy,she learned different culinary cultures.

It was During her studies in singapore at the age of 21,that she discovered the world of cocktails and bartending.Graduate of International commerce at ”ESSEC”.After travelling to different countries,she decided to study Oenology.It’s during this professional experience that she initiated the creation of spirits.Passionate of the arts, she polishes her skills in different distilleries, thus creating her own Liquors.She also undertakes several trips to Europe,Africa and Asia to enrich her knowledge on culinary heritage and the tradition of Liquor. One of the best gifts that a society can offer to the world ,is it’s cuisine and it’s drinks .It’s this formular of her father’s, that Benedicte prevails her trips.Her road trip in 2013 through west Africa is a revelation.She discovers the diversity,the rich culture and gastronomy of countries that she came across.

Two years later,she moved to Abidjan(Cote D’ivoire) where she launches the first Blog in the country dedicated to wines and liquors.Convinced that African cuisine and it’s complexities and finesse can blend with wines and Liquors from around the world. In 2016,she creates ”Okana” which means ”water of life” in Manjak,her agency specialised in the art of cocktails and wine.The entrepreneur thus contributes to make, the cocktail culture,as well as oenology,accessible to Ivorians.

Soon to be 30years old,this committed and passionate woman,Benedicte Mendy aims to share her expression of the African terroir,but also to make visible the talents of wine and spirits with her agency, she was elected ”Best Bartender of Cote D’ivoire” in the competition of International Bartending,MARIE BRIZARD MASTERS, and will go on to represent her country and West Africa during the finals in Bordeaux(France) in November 2016.

OKANA – Bartending & Sommelier services

Website:www.okana.win

Blog: www.okana225.wordpress.com