MEET OUR
JUDGES

Livio Lauro is a Hospitality and Drinks expert.  He started his beverage career over 30 years ago in Southern Italy on the beautiful island of Ischia in the heart of the Mediterranean. The recipient of several prestigious international awards, Livio is widely...

A born-and-raised Boricua, Joy Figueroa represents the third generation of a family rooted in hospitality. Her story began in Old San Juan, where her family owned the beloved bar Café Seda. It was there Joy’s passion for service was ignited, setting her on a path that...

I currently work at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas as a Mixologist and Training Coach. My passion for bartending has taken me across the country, staging at a variety of bars and immersing myself in diverse cocktail cultures. I love pushing creative boundaries through...

Ross Simon was steeped in the culinary and hospitality industry from youth, working at the family restaurant in the old country of his native home of Scotland since 1990. He has three decades of experience in the catering industry and during such has had the pleasure...

Max A. Solano is the founder and principal of Bar Chef Productions, LLC, a beverage consulting firm and multi-state spirits and beverage brokerage based in Las Vegas, Nevada. Prior to Covid, Max was a mixologist for Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits of Nevada, Head...

Jake Davenport is a 20 year veteran of the industry with a passion for all things spirited. You can find his nose in a book and a glass in his hand—as he is always looking to further his education of beer, wine, sake, and of course spirits. Jake is a certified:...

Bobby “G” is a renowned bartender with a career starting in 1984, known for his award-winning cocktails and extensive experience in the industry. He has held a Guinness World Record and currently is the Owner Operator of Mixology Made Easy. He served as the Master...

Master Mixologist Dale DeGroff developed his extraordinary techniques and talent tending bar at the legendary Rainbow Room, where in the 1980’s, he pioneered a gourmet approach to recreating the classic cocktails. DeGroff has since been credited with reviving the...

Tony Abou-Ganim is widely regarded as one of the pioneering and leading bar professionals in the world. He has made dozens of national TV appearances on shows including TODAY, Iron Chef America, Good Morning America, CNBC, Fox News and more. Abou-Ganim is the author...

The owner of Agave Forte, David Grapshi has a true passion for tequila. His dedication to the beverage industry started 25 years ago in positions in both liquor supply and distribution. Since then, David has created a widespread network of contacts both stateside and...

A San Francisco native, Julio Bermejo is the beverage manager at Tommy's Mexican Restaurant and a highly regarded expert on tequila. Tommy’s Mexican Restaurant has made the Top 50 Bars in the world list in the inaugural year of the list 2009 and also 2011, 2013, 2015,...