Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/23459
Jury Assembly THE SAN FRANCISCO WORLD SPIRITS COMPETITION WELCOMES 11 NEW JUDGES A t this year’s San Francisco World Spirits Competition in March, 11 new judges will join returning judges to create the most prestigious and authoritative spirits jury ever assembled. The newly constituted panel, made up entirely of spirits industry leaders, is directly responsible for purchasing over $100,000,000 worth of spirits each year. The journalist members of the panel reach about 1,000,000 trade and consumers monthly. We are excited by the new direction the SFWSC has taken. This is a major step for our com- petition, which is now 11 years old. By bringing on an energetic group of young, infl uential industry trendsetters we are reaffi rming that the San Francisco World Spirits Competition will remain the clear leader in the fi eld for years to come. SFWSC’s Director of Judging is famed Master Mixologist Tony Abou-Ganim. Managing Director is Chandler Moore. Companies interested in entering the 2011 competition, which takes place in mid-March, should go to www.SFSpiritsComp.com. —Anthony Dias Blue Kent Bearden, Master Mixologist, MGM Grand, Las Vegas Kent currently oversees alcohol beverage education at MGM Grand through his own Spirits Academy. He is a Certifi ed Specialist of Spirits from the Society of Wine Educators and holds a pin from the Court of Master Sommeliers. His passion is spirits education and the rejuvena- tion of the classic cocktail. Joseph Brooke, Director of Spirits, The Edison, Los Angeles Joseph was the 2009 winner of On The Rocks: The Search for America’s Top Bartender and a consultant on the 2010 season. He previously judged for the WSWA competition. Derek Brown, Columbia Room, Washington DC When not behind the bar in the Columbia Room, his intimate laboratory and cocktail club, Derek educates drinkers throughout the country. He was praised by GQ for making the best Martini in America. He serves as a board member for the Museum of the American Cocktail. H. Joseph Ehrmann, Elixir, San Francisco H. owns and operates San Francisco’s historic Elixir—called one of the “Best Bars in America” by Esquire, GQ and Food & Wine. He co-founded The Bartender Relief Fund, San Francisco Cocktail Week, The Barbary Coast Conservancy of the American Cocktail and The Boothby Center for the Beverage Arts. David Grapshi, Tequila National Sales Manager, The Sazerac Company/Gemini Spirits & Wine Having spent nearly three decades in sales management posi- tions on both the distributor and supplier sides of the business, David achieves brand growth through passion for the products and a commitment to education and long-term relationships built throughout the industry. Misty Kalkofen, Mixologist, Drink, Boston Misty has nearly 15 years of experience behind the bar, at venues including The Lizard Lounge and The B-Side, where her appreciation for classic cocktails and fresh ingredients really took hold. Her education and love of all things cocktail continues to blossom at her current gig, Drink in South Boston. Geoff Kleinman, Editor, DrinkSpirits.com Certifi ed in the Bar Smarts Advanced program, Geoff draws on practical mixology training to help demystify the world of spirits for the everyman drinker. His writing has appeared in national media including ABC World News, Air America and WGN. Drew Levinson, Beverage Development Specialist, Wirtz Beverage Nevada Drew devises new programs for premier accounts throughout the Las Vegas market. As former Master Mixologist and Beverage Manager at Bellagio, he won numerous awards, including StarChefs’ “Rising Star,” with his cocktails featured in publications such as People, Cheers, Santé, and Vegas magazine. Nick Passmore, Spirits Journalist, New York City Nick is now Artisanal Editor at Four Seasons magazine and Contributing Editor to Businessweek.com. His work has appeared in Forbes, Town & Country, Departures, Robb Report and Saveur, among others. His most recent project is Nick’s SpiritsCast. Jim Romdall, Vessel, Seattle Romdall took over management of the bar at Vessel in 2008. He was named the Seattle “Rising Star” Mixologist by StarChefs in 2009 and is one of the founding members of the Washington Bartender’s Guild. Trudy Thomas, Beverage Director, JW Marriot Camelback Inn, Scottsdale Trudy is co-founder of the Arizona Chapter of the United States Bartenders Guild. A Kentucky native, she grew up in an area rich in the tradition of moonshine and has a unique insight into bourbon through her long friend- ships with master distillers. 2 / the tasting panel / january–february 201 1