Ultimate Beverage Challenge — Meet the Judges for the 2013 Challenges

F. Paul Pacult judge for spirits judge for wine

Chairman of Judging. Author, Journalist and Educator.

As America’s Spirits Guru, Paul is publisher/editor of F. Paul Pacult’s Spirit Journal; contributing editor for Beverage Dynamics; and...

Sean Ludford judge for spirits judge for wine

Co-Chairman of Judging. Journalist and Consultant.

Sean Ludford has been involved in the beverage industry for more than two decades. He has an eclectic resume including stints at restaurants...

Jacques Bezuidenhout judge for spirits

Consultant and Buyer.

Jacques began his career as a bartender 16 years ago, working in bars and restaurants in South Africa.

Christy Canterbury judge for wine

Master of Wine and Journalist.

Christy Canterbury is one of twenty-nine US Masters of Wine. She is a journalist, public speaker and judge based in Manhattan...

Tad Carducci judge for spirits

Buyer and Consultant.

Tad Carducci is a lifelong bartender, award-winning mixologist and general bon vivant, with over twenty-five years experience in the hospitality industry.

James Conley judge for spirits judge for wine

Buyer, Sommelier.

Brooklyn native James Conley is proud to call Keens Steakhouse his professional home.

Dale Degroff judge for spirits

Author, Educator, Journalist.

Master Mixologist Dale DeGroff, aka King Cocktail, developed his extraordinary techniques and talent tending bar at great establishments...

Mary Ewing-Mulligan judge for wine

Master of Wine and Educator.

Mary Ewing-Mulligan is a leading wine educator, columnist, author and wine authority. In 1993, she was the first woman in America to become a Master of Wine, a title that represents...

Doug Frost judge for wine

Master Sommelier, Master of Wine, Educator.

Doug Frost is a Kansas City author who writes and lectures about wine, beer and spirits.

Mary Gorman-McAdams judge for wine

Master of Wine.

Passionate about wine, Mary holds the DWS – Diploma in Wine and Spirits from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust in London – a rigorous program...

Lisa Granik judge for wine

Master of Wine, Consultant, Educator.

Lisa Granik MW is a renowned teacher, writer and speaker. A recovering lawyer...

Ed McCarthy judge for wine

Journalist and Author.

Ed McCarthy is a wine writer, Certified Wine Educator, and wine consultant. He is co-author (with Mary Ewing-Mulligan) of Wine For Dummies, White Wine For Dummies...

John McClement judge for wine

Buyer.

John McClement is Wine and Spirits Director of All Weather Management, a New York based restaurant group that includes Keens Steakhouse, Noho Star, Temple Bar and Elephant and Castle.

Jim Meehan judge for spirits

Buyer, Bar Owner, Bartender.

Jim Meehan’s career behind the bar spans fifteen years, from Madison, Wisconsin to New York City.

Dan Nicolaescu judge for spirits

Bartender, Consultant

For over a decade, Dan has been educating and exciting customers in New York's restaurants and bars...

Steven Olson judge for spirits judge for wine

Educator, Consultant, Journalist.

Steven Olson is dedicated to the education and consultation of degustation for appreciation and celebration.

Jean Reilly, MW judge for wine

Master of Wine, Journalist.

JJean K. Reill, MW is the Director of Wine Buying for JJ Buckley Fine Wines in Oakland, California...

Julie Reiner judge for spirits

Buyer, Bar Owner, Bartender.

Julie Reiner has been elevating the cocktail scene in NYC for the last decade, most notably with the opening of the Flatiron Lounge (2003)...

Jack Robertiello judge for spirits judge for wine

Journalist.

Jack Robertiello has worked with or written about beverages and restaurants for most of his adult life.

Patricia Savoie judge for wine

Journalist.

Pat Savoie is a wine and culinary travel writer living in New York City.

She is a frequent contributor to Sommelier Journal magazine, and a regular contributor to Wine Enthusiast magazine since 2003...

Jennifer Simonetti-Bryan judge for spirits judge for wine

Master of Wine and Educator.

Jennifer Simonetti-Bryan is the fourth woman in the US to ever achieve the MW title, Master of Wine, the most difficult wine title to achieve in the world.

Katie Stipe judge for spirits

Bartender, Consultant

Katie put down the tray and picked up the shaker nearly ten years ago.

Tara Q. Thomas judge for wine

Journalist.

Tara Q. Thomas has been a writer and editor for Wine & Spirits for over a decade, where she specializes in wines of the Mediterranean.

David Wondrich, PhD judge for spirits

Author, Journalist, Educator.

“A living iPod of drink lore and recipes” (the New York Times), or, if you prefer, a “crazy, bearded Civil War general” (Conan O’Brien)...