Meet our Judges
Toshio Ueno DipWSET
Vice President, Sake School of America, Director of Sake Specialist at MTC, El Monte
Valerie Cao
Director of Operations & Beverage Director, Le Colonial, 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
Renato M. Tonelli
2023 US Bartender of the Year and Founder at Sustainable Bartender
Martin Duffy
Whisky Educator and Ex Sr. Master of Whisky for the entire Diageo whisky portfolio