Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/518118
84 / the tasting panel / june 2015 Tricia Ca Artisanal Group Director of Mixology Tricia has helped launch this groundbreaking concept and continues to serve as the creative and educational leader for the company. With over 15 years of experience in the beverage business under her belt, Carr is an invaluable resource to The Artisanal Group and its team. After learning the craft of culinary cocktails from top chefs and bar busi- ness geniuses in venues around Southern California that range from Michelin-starred culinary meccas to dynamic, high-volume lounges, Carr established Los Angeles as her home base, building a business of private beverage catering for many of Hollywood's media elite. In November 2011, Carr's experience came to culmina- tion when she joined Southern Wine & Spirits as the Southern California Director of Mixology. In this position, she worked with the diverse Southern California com- munity of bartenders and operators as well as to represent the world's most inventive and influential brands. Carr is proud to serve the bar community as board member of the So Cal Chapter of the United States Bartenders' Guild (President, 2012–2014, Treasurer, 2013– present). Recently, Carr was invited by the Society of Wine Educators to sit on the Spirits Education sub-committee. Sara Souern, Artisanal Group Division Manager A self-described "calculated risk taker," Southern grew up in Sacramento, where she started her career as a bartender and a bar manager. The desire for a change of scenery lead her to sunny San Diego, where, after a few successful years working in bars and restaurants there, she found her way to Southern Wine & Spirits. "It was a great step," remembers Southern. After some time, and "a bit of concerted persuasion from [her] local Southern representatives," Sara procured herself a position as a San Diego Key Account Specialist. Three years later, the opportunity to work in Los Angeles appealed to Southern's love of exploration and adventure and she landed in the City of Angels. It is the sum of these experiences in the spirits and cocktail community, as well as a penchant for education and hospitality, that have best prepared her to manage and structure the newly formed Artisanal Group.