Marko Milunovic was born in Belgrade, Serbia, where he began his academic journey studying Aeronautics and Mechanical Engineering. In 2009, at the age of 20, he moved to Chicago to continue his education—but soon discovered a deep passion for the hospitality industry that would shape the course of his career.

In 2013, Marko began his journey in cocktail mixology under the mentorship of modern cocktail pioneers Ted Carducci and Paul Tanguay of New York’s renowned The Tippling Bros. Starting as a barback, he quickly advanced to bartender, building a solid foundation in beverage craftsmanship and service excellence. Marko played a key role in launching several of Chicago’s premier venues, including Siena Tavern, Prime & Provisions, and Bar Siena. As Head Bartender at Bar Siena, he trained new hires, managed bar operations, and contributed to program development, demonstrating both leadership and operational expertise.

In 2016, Marko joined the rapidly growing Fabio Viviani Hospitality Group, working directly under Celebrity Chef Fabio Viviani and hospitality consultant Ken McGarrie (author of The Surprise Restaurant Manager). Over six years, he excelled as Corporate Bar Developer and Mixologist, helping to open and oversee dozens of restaurant and bar concepts nationwide. Marko was instrumental in training hundreds of bar staff, creating signature and seasonal cocktail menus, and developing wine lists, beer programs, and standard operating procedures for multiple concepts.

Marko’s entrepreneurial ventures include partnerships in several boutique restaurants such as La Mejikana in Pilsen, Perla Negra in Bolingbrook, and Kiosk Balkan Street Food Inc., reflecting his versatility and passion for culturally diverse hospitality experiences. A recognized specialist in Balkan spirits, Marko is deeply knowledgeable about Rakija and other traditional distillates from the region. He is currently working on a cocktail book dedicated to Rakija and Balkan flavors, aiming to introduce a broader audience to the complexity, versatility, and cultural richness of these underrepresented spirits. His expertise also includes Mexican spirits, including tequila, mezcal, and other agave- based varieties—making him a well-rounded authority in both Balkan and Latin American bar traditions.

In collaboration with his brother, Nemanja Milunovic, Marko has hosted numerous Balkan food and drink pop-ups across the city of Chicago, celebrating their heritage through immersive culinary and cocktail experiences. These events have helped elevate the visibility of Balkan flavors within the broader food and beverage scene.

Most recently, Marko spent two and a half years at Lazy Bird, part of the prestigious Boka Restaurant Group in Chicago. There, he collaborated on specialty cocktail development and participated in numerous pop-up events with some of the top cocktail bars in the U.S. Currently, Marko serves as Mixologist and Lead Bartender at Wind Creek Casino in Chicago. He developed the complete beverage program for ALTO, an upscale steakhouse by Fabio Viviani, bringing his vision, expertise, and creativity to a high- profile casino environment.

With over a decade of hands-on experience, cross-cultural spirit knowledge, and a commitment to innovation, Marko Milunovic stands out as a dynamic and insightful Cocktail Judge and industry professional