Ultimate Beverage Challenge

F. Paul Pacult

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…

James Conley

Buyer, Sommelier

Brooklyn native James Conley is proud to call Keens Steakhouse his professional home. Since 1999, as Service Director…

Vitalii Dascaliuc

Sommelier, Wine Educator

Vitalii was born and raised in Moldova, the country that holds the world’s record for the largest wine collection...

Doug Frost

Master Sommelier, Master of Wine, Educator

Doug Frost is a Kansas City author who writes and lectures about wine, beer and spirits. In 1991 he passed the rigorous…

Tim Gagnon

Wine Buyer and Writer

Tim obtained his WSET certifications while living in London, worked in the cellar at Bernmarl Winery in upstate…

Chris Johnson

Sake Sommelier and Educator

Chris Johnson fell in love with saké – and the culture and history that surround it – during the three years he spent living…

Tracy Ellen Kamens

Consultant, Educator and Writer

Tracy Ellen Kamens is a wine educator, writer and consultant who combines her passion for teaching…

Dan Nicolaescu

Bartender, Consultant

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

John Rankin

Consultant, Writer

John Rankin worked in hospitality...

Mike Reilly

CSW, Master of Wine candidate, wine technology entrepreneur

Mike's love of wine...

Tess Rose

Educator, consultant

New York City, East Village based, Tess has been a lover of food and drink ever since she was a child. Among her skills…

Patricia Savoie

Journalist

Pat Savoie is a wine and culinary travel writer living in New York City. She is a frequent contributor to Sommelier…

Rick Schofield, CWE

Wine buyer, Wine Consultant, Wine Educator

Originally from Montréal, Rick Schofield is a Wine Educator & Wine Consultant in New York where he has dedicated the…

Francis Schott

Restaurateur, Bar Owner, Buyer, Consultant, Radio Presenter

In 2006, Francis opened Catherine Lombardi, an Italian-American restaurant based on the cooking of business…

Jennifer Simonetti-Bryan

Master of Wine and Educator

Jennifer Simonetti-Bryan is the fourth woman in the US to ever achieve the…

Paul Tanguay

Buyer, Consultant

In a career that has spanned more than 25 years, with stops in multiple cites and countries, if you ask Paul how he got…

Kristen Wolfe Bieler

Wine Journalist and Editor

Kristen Bieler has been writing about food and beverage in New York City for 19 years…

UWC Judges