We are delighted to announce the inclusion of Lee Zaremba, a true spirits business genius, to our panel of judges for the upcoming Bartender Spirits Awards 2024.

Lee, who is originally from Edison, New Jersey, and is currently the Owner of De La Nonna and Enzo Discoteca De La Nonna in Los Angeles, brings a unique depth of experience and a one-of-a-kind adventure the spirits industry.

Lee Zaremba's professional journey began in Chicago, where he initially built a name for himself behind the bar at Ripasso in Wicker Park. His career began at the famed Simone's in Pilsen before he spent the last four and a half years at Billy Sunday in Logan Square, where he won the Jean Banchet Award for Best Restaurant Service in 2016.

What makes Lee's narrative so compelling is his departure from the corporate world to travel the world, breakdancing and immersing himself in various cultures. This global trip served as the impetus for his return to his beginnings in the restaurant industry, armed with international insights and a passion for hospitality that shines through in every cocktail he creates.

Lee Zaremba, a proud member of the Boka Restaurant Group, is prepared to integrate his inventive energy into our judging panel, bringing his culinary-based cocktail strategy to the fore. Each dish is the result of careful planning that takes into account the seasonality of the materials, the enthusiasm of the chef with whom he interacts, and the particular mood of the place.

Lee is a diverse individual who enjoys spending time with his breakdancing gang, navigating the streets in his GTI, and learning new physical skills—currently, he is intrigued with yoga and holds dance parties at home.

Lee Zaremba's presence promises to enrich the judging experience as we prepare for the Bartender Spirits Awards 2024 in Chicago on May 20th. His drive to meaningful relationships, careful hospitality, and pushing the frontiers of mixology meshes well with the ideals that distinguish the Bartender Spirits Awards.

Bartender Spirits Awards will host some of the top bartenders and beverage buyers of Chicago and the USA as judges.

Here are a few of the names that will be judging the 2024 event:

KATIE RENSHAW, 2019 US World Class Bartender of the Year.

RENATO M. TONELLI, 2023 US Bartender of the Year and Founder at Sustainable Bartender.

JULIETA CAMPOS, Beverage and Bar Operations Director at The Fifty/50 Group, Chicago.

DAMIAN LANGARICA, TOP 100 World Class 2023, TOP 50 World Class 2022, Bartender at Next of Kin, Philadelphia.

MIKE RYAN, Global Beverage Director, Acurio International, Chicago.

TRUDY THOMAS, Corporate Director of Beverage at Southworth Development, Spirits Educator and Mixologist, Nashville.

ABRAHAM VUCEKOVICH, Beverage Director Meadowlark Hospitality, Chicago, Meadowlark Hospitality.

MAKENZIE HELEM, Top 30 bartenders in the US for USBG World Class 2023 and Bartender at Spilt Milk, Chicago

GUILLERMO BRAVO, Beverage Director at Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, Chicago.

DANNY SHAPIRO, Founding partner in Scofflaw Group, Chicago

EMILIANO VAZQUEZ PARRALE, Head Bartender, Moody Tongue Brewing Company, Chicago.

CHRIS BARNA, Bar Manager at Proof, 2022 Top 50 US World Class 2023 Top 30 US World Class, Charleston

ARIEL NEAL, Vice President United States Bartenders Guild- Chicago Chapter, Chicago

JENEÉ CRAVER, Award-Winning Beverage Director, Chicago

JARED GIVENS, Director of Restaurants, Bars, and Events at The Thompson, Hyatt Hotels, Dallas

FATIMA BUTLER, Founder at Rooted in Hospitality, Chicago

VALERIE CAO, Director of Operations & Beverage Director, Le Colonial, Chicago

MICHAEL DZIEDZIC, Bar Director at Aruns Thai Restaurant, Chicago

ELLIOTT ERNST, Country's Top 100 World Class Bartenders and Mixologist, Rockford.

MARK GALLAGHER, Experienced Sommelier and Mixologist, Chicago

DON JEWELL, Creative & Mixologist, Chicago

TIMOTHY KING, President, Bar Consultant at Prohibition Bar Group, Cincinnati

JONATHAN PIZANO, Beverage Manager at The Hoxton, Chicago

BRYSON RYAN, Bar Manager at Fitness Formula Clubs, Midlothian

TOSHIO UENO DIPWSET, Vice President, Sake School of America, Director of Sake Specialist at MTC, El Monte

You can see the full list of the 2024 Bartender Spirits Awards’s first round of judges here.

As Beverage Trade Network prepares to bring the Bartender Spirits Awards 2024 to Chicago, spirits brands worldwide are invited to participate and showcase their finest offerings. Winning a medal at this prestigious event not only signifies exceptional quality but also grants recognition from industry experts and bartending luminaries.

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Stay tuned for more updates, exciting announcements, and details about the Bartender Spirits Awards 2024 in Chicago, where the world's best spirits will take center stage.