The Judges
Anna Thorn
Director of Bar & Spirits at Hogsalt, Chicago
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
Trudy Thomas
Corporate Director of Beverage at Southworth Development, Spirits Educator and Mixologist, Nashville
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
Emiliano Vazquez Parrales
Head Bartender and Beverage Program Director at Moody Tongue Brewing Company
Chris Barna
Bar Manager at Proof, 2022 Top 50 US World Class 2023 Top 30 US World Class, Charleston
John Aranza
Illinois Area Manager at Riboli Family Wines
Fatima Butler
Founder at Rooted in Hospitality, Chicago
Valerie Cao
Director of Operations & Beverage Director, Le Colonial, Chicago
Jason Deatherage
Lead bartender for The Gwen Hotel
Martin Duffy
Whisky Educator and Ex Sr. Master of Whisky for the entire Diageo whisky portfolio
Michael Dziedzic
Bar Director at Aruns Thai Restaurant, Chicago
Mark Gallagher
Experienced Sommelier and Mixologist, Chicago
Sam Garcia
Beverage Manager at Tre Dita at the St. Regis, Chicago
Jared Givens
Director of Restaurants, Bars, and Events at The Thompson, Hyatt Hotels, Dallas
Katherine Iwinski
Bartender, Mixologist, Bar Manager at Take Flight Spirits, Chicago
Timothy King
President, Bar Consultant at Prohibition Bar Group, Cincinnati
Jason Lane
Spirits Advisor
Renato M. Tonelli
2023 US Bartender of the Year and Founder at Sustainable Bartender
Reena Patel
Senior Brand Ambassador - Area Manager, Caledonia Spirits, Inc.
Samuel Pellegrino
Bartender at Old Crow Smokehouse
Bryson Ryan
Bar Manager at Fitness Formula Clubs, Midlothian
Raj Sabharwal
Founding Partner at Glass Revolution Imports
Danny Shapiro
Founding partner in Scofflaw Group, Chicago
Emlyn Thomas
Director of Operations | Partner at Renovatio Restaurants
Toshio Ueno DipWSET
Vice President, Sake School of America, Director of Sake Specialist at MTC, El Monte
Joseph V. Micallef
Journalist and commentator on food, wines, spirits, and travel. (Forbes)
