The Judges
Monique Huston
Vice President Spirits Portfolio at Winebow, USA
Mike Ryan
Global Beverage Director, Acurio International, Chicago
Anna Thorn
Director of Bar & Spirits at Hogsalt, Chicago
Kiki Avalos
2024 US Tastemaker of the Year at the USBG, Working At Homemaker’s Bar and Fifty Fifty Gin Club.
Lance Bowman
Top 30 at World Class USA
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
Michael Dziedzic
Bar Director at Aruns Thai Restaurant, Chicago
Jared Givens
Director of Restaurants, Bars, and Events at The Thompson, Hyatt Hotels, Dallas
Dontaine Jackson
Bar Manager for Marriott International
Michael Lindgren
Career Beverage Professional, MSP Area
Tyler MacLellan
Bar Manager at Three Dots and a Dash, Chicago
Julia Momose 百瀬
Author of The Way of the Cocktail and Owner and Mixologists at Kumiko, Chicago
Katie Renshaw
2019 US World Class Bartender of the Year
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
Joseph V. Micallef
Journalist and commentator on food, wines, spirits, and travel. (Forbes)
Peter Vestinos
Partner and Beverage Director at Sparrow Chicago
Abraham Vucekovich
Beverage Director Meadowlark Hospitality, Chicago, Meadowlark Hospitality
