The Judges
Mike Ryan
Founder & Principal, Noetica Group
Anna Thorn
Director of Bar & Spirits at Hogsalt, Chicago
Kiki Avalos
2024 World Class US Top 30
Daniel Barat
Assistant General Manager at BOKA Restaurant Group
Lance Bowman
2024 World Class US Top 30
Miranda Breedlove
National Director of Bars at Hyatt Lifestyle Operations
Joe Briglio
Partner at Nine Bar and Cara Cara Club, Chicago
Martin Duffy
Whisky Educator and Ex Sr. Master of Whisky for the entire Diageo whisky portfolio
Felix Fernandez
Beverage Manager and Sommelier for Luxury Brands
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
Eric Hausser
Bar Manager -atBeatnik on the River/Goodfunk on the River
Kristen Hope
Bartender and Bar Manager
Jason Huffman
Director of Beverage Development Taste & Theory
Katherine Iwinski
Bartender, Mixologist, Bar Manager at Take Flight Spirits, Chicago
Raul Jaimes
Beverage Consultant at Bibo Beverage Services
Ari Klafter
Head Distiller at Thornton Distilling Company
Jennifer Knott
Director of Operations for Levy at Forte at Symphony Center | Levy Cultural Attractions
Meghan Konecny
Owner at Overproof Productions ยท
Kelly Kuhn
Key Account Specialist at Winebow Illinois
Rachel Lungren
Bartender at Levy
Tyler MacLellan
Bar Manager at Three Dots and a Dash, Chicago
Marko Milunovic
Mixologist and Lead Bartender at Windcreek Casino Chicago Southland
Reena Patel
Senior Brand Ambassador - Area Manager, Caledonia Spirits, Inc.
Raul Rizo
Sommelier and F&B Professional
Raj Sabharwal
Founding Partner at Glass Revolution Imports
Lisa Selman CSS
Director of Beverage for the Alchemy Room, Breakthru Beverage
Danny Shapiro
Founding partner in Scofflaw Group, Chicago
Dan Smith
Managing Partner at Queen Mary, Chicago
Emlyn Thomas
Director of Operations | Partner at Renovatio Restaurants
Peter Vestinos
Partner and Beverage Director at Sparrow Chicago
Abraham Vucekovich
Beverage Director Meadowlark Hospitality, Chicago, Meadowlark Hospitality
