MEET OUR
JUDGES

"Bobby “G” Gleason began his spirits industry career in 1984 while bartending in South Florida. Now based in Las Vegas, the world-renown educator has been published in a multitude of magazines and has made many TV (CNBC, FOX & Friends, Food Net Work & DIY Network),...

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...

Holly Graham is the Managing Editor (International) of DRiNK Magazine, Asia’s leading bar industry platform covering 15 countries. Currently #12 on the Bar World 100 – a list of the world's most influential figures in the bar industry – up 14 places from a debut...

Charles Joly is a global bartending champion, James Beard Award winning beverage designer, content contributor, speaker and philanthropic enthusiast. With over 20 years in the hospitality industry, he has helped to usher in the modern age of the cocktail, while...

Nora Furst, originally from Seattle, grew up in a restaurant family. She began her career in hospitality at age 15 washing dishes. She continued to grow in the Seattle restaurant and bar scene while finishing her degree in Education and creative writing. At 24 she...

Vivian is a Chinese American writer, cooking instructor, and F&B consultant who speaks 5 languages, has lived in 5 countries and eaten her way through countless others as evidenced by her ever expanding waistline. She has run her own restaurant, a catering...

Certified Master of Sake and Master Sake Sommelier. Toshio is the creator of Sake School of America and English Shochu Adviser Certificate program, and only one in the world to hold Master of Sake (酒匠), Master Sake Sommelier (日本酒学講師), and WSET Sake Educator diploma....

Born in the Bronx, Lauren ventured to Washington, D.C. in 2010 to attend nursing school. While attending school she met Derek Brown. Fascinated by his love for the restaurant industry, LP became an employee of Drink Co. There, through intricate training, she...

A world-renowned mixologist, spirits industry educator and icon of cocktail culture, is the Senior Vice President of Beverage and Hospitality Culture for Carver Road Capital Hospitality Firm. Formerly founder and managing partner of MR. COCO, a visionary cocktail...

Dré Masso is Director of bars and group Mixologist for Desa Potato Head (sustainable hospitality village) in Bali.  Dré has been involved with the global cocktail scene for over 27 years, working and running bars in the UK, The Americas and Southeast Asia.  Over the...

Born in Mozambique, East Africa, Armando Rosario graduated from Hotel Training School in Algarve, Portugal. Has spent over 30 years of his life passionately pursuing the art of the crafted cocktail. Only by traveling across the globe, relentlessly seeking education...

Michael Feil is the GM/COO of the iconic Jupiter Island Club, noted as one of the finest private Clubs in America.  Michael came to the Jupiter Island Club following a seasoned career in top Club and Hotel properties including the Westchester Country Club, Lake Merced...

Lynn House has had a long and extensive career in the beverage industry. In 2019 she was named National Spirits Specialist and Portfolio Mixologist for Heaven Hill Brands. Lynn’s previous roles at Heaven Hill include National Brand Educator from 2015 to 2019 and...

2010 Best American Brand Ambassador, Golden Spirit Award winner at Tales of the Cocktail and recognized by the James Beard recognition for contribution to mixology, Charlotte Voisey is the Global Head of Ambassadors for William Grant & Sons. Host of video series...

Julio Cabrera has been working for 31 years as a Bartender in his native Cuba, Italy, Cancun and Miami. He graduated as a Trainer in Hotel and Tourism in Nicosia, Cypress in 1991. Julio became a member of the International Bartender Association (I.B.A.) years later...

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...

Bridget is an advocate for upbeat education that makes an impact. She has designed beverage programs and produced trainings for top national Accounts that include the Hilton Worldwide Resorts Delta Airlines, American Airlines and Crystal Cruise Line. Bridget is the...

Angus Winchester’s contacts and knowledge have been built up in over 33 years of interaction with the best bars and bartenders in the world. As founder member of one of the first global bar consultancies, and now running Alconomics Asia based in Hong Kong,  Angus has...

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,...