Five years ago, Marie-Louise Roy-Bilodeau of Cantina Concha in Old Montreal was working as an animal health technician. On the side, the 27-year-old was nurturing a pandemic-born interest in mixing cocktails.
As she continued experimenting with syrups, bitters and cocktail books and hosting cocktail nights for friends, family and veterinary colleagues, she realized there was potential in her side hustle. After completing a bartending course at École du Bar de Montréal, she made it official: veterinary medicine was out, bartending was in.
Roy-Bilodeau sharpened her technique and composure at Nestor, 132 Bar Vintage and Cloakroom. She immersed herself in competitions (she reached the finals of her first within months of quitting the vet clinic) and industry events (like Portland Cocktail Week and Tales of the Cocktail) to hone her craft and confidence.
By 2025 — just a few years after her very first bar shift — she won the Ultimate Bartender Championship Americas title. Peers were impressed. “Marie-Louise is someone who does the work behind the scenes to become the best version of the bartender she aspires to be,” says Jeff Savage, bar director of Prophecy in Vancouver. “She’s deeply engaged in learning and development.”
Despite all the fuss around her now, Roy-Bilodeau’s interests remain rooted in hospitality. She thrives in the rhythm of service — the quiet moments, evening rush and simple joy of putting a top-notch drink in someone’s hand. “You meet people, build drinks that make someone’s night,” she says. “That mix of creativity, conversation and energy is what drew me to bartending.”
All that drive, talent and fierce dedication to hospitality is why Marie-Louise Roy-Bilodeau is 2026’s Hotshot.
What’s next?
“More travel, learning and meeting people.”
–Alana Lapierre
