Three short-chain alcohol dehydrogenases from Burkholderia gladioli were discovered for their great potential in the dynamic kinetic asymmetric transformation of methyl 2-benzamido-methyl-3-oxobutanoate, and their screening against varied organic solvents and substrates. This is the first report of recombinant enzymes capable of achieving this reaction with the highest enantio- and diastereo-selectivity.