Welcome to a world of cocktail & spirit expertise.
I am a bartender and educator, but most dear to my heart - a curator of bar magic. My grandma Dee was a woman that threw a party for any and all reasons, and when my inherited knack for hosting met cocktail bars I found my niche. I believe in nurturing the magic that comes with the right combination of delicious cocktails, music, ambience & people.
I’ve used this holistic view of hospitality to create award-winning bar programs at Raines Law Room, Raines Law Room at the William Hotel, Dear Irving and Dear Irving on Hudson. As bartender, I have won competitions with my elegant recipes and curated menus for my bars’ locations. I love to explore seasonal ingredients and unique flavor profiles, as well as take a hyper-focus, such as our “Spirits of the Empire State” menu at Dear Irving on Hudson.
As a bar director, I have worked hard to build a diverse, collaborative team that works every day to make memorable experiences for our guests. I am proud of our training program and the opportunities for staff to learn the business and grow into new roles. We take pride on being in the background of people’s most important days, but also providing a welcoming space to catch up with friends or enjoy a first date. I have also worked to translate these spaces for pop-up events in New Orleans, San Antonio, Brussels, Madrid & Barcelona.
Along with my work at these lively bars, I have consulted and educated in various forms. I was the opening consultant for Lantern’s Keep at the Iroquois Hotel (Top 10 Best New Hotel Bar, Spirited Awards). I have created brand and recipe content for clients such as Fever Tree Mixers, Campari, Fords Gin, Anthropologie & more.
As an educator and industry expert, I have created presentations for Tales of the Cocktail, Bar Convent Brooklyn, Smithsonian Womens’ History Programming, BevCon, Thirst Boston, Portland Cocktail Week, SACC, Hawaii Food & Wine and more. I am a co-founder of the annual Dames Hall of Fame event at Tales of the Cocktail. My recipes have been included in books such as the New York Times Book of Cocktails, 3 Ingredient Drinks, Drinking French, Modern Classic Cocktails and Imbibe Magazine.
Food & drink are often perfect vehicles to gather interest and donations for great causes. I have worked Taste of the Nation, No Kid Hungry & City Harvest for many years on their annual benefits. My bars and I have participated in the annual “Negroni Week” since its inception, raising funds via drink specials. In 2022 & 2023, I was the Spirits Chair for City Meals on Wheels annual Chef’s Tribute Gala fundraiser.
Awards and Acknowledgement
Certifications
5-day BAR Ready graduate, Beverage Alcohol Resource
BarSmarts Advanced graduate
WSET Intermediate certificate
TIPS certified
Awards
2022 Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Awards: Top 4 “US Bar Mentor” & Top 4 “Best US Hotel Bar, Dear Irving on Hudson”
2016 Imbibe Magazine “Bartender of the Year”
2014 Old Forester Old-Fashioned Faceoff “People’s Choice”
2013 International G’Vine Gin Connoisseur Program “Best Technical Skills”
2013 Diageo World Class “National Finalist”
2013 Viva Sangrita “National Finalist”
2011 Metropolitan Opera Cocktail Competition “Winner”
2010 Tales of the Cocktail Apprentice
Judgeship and Mentorship
2019 HLC Global Scholarship Mentor
2019, 2022 Speed Rack (Competition Judge)
2018 - Present Ultimate Beverage Challenge (Spirits Judge)