FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The 9th Annual Spirited Awards Announce the Final Judging List
In 2015, 109 Industry Professionals were chosen as esteemed judges.
NEW ORLEANS - March 24, 2015 - In 2007, Tales of the Cocktail created the Spirited
Awards to provide some much needed recognition of the best bars and bar talent from the
United States and around the world. The 2015 Spirited Awards are pleased to announce this
years USA, International and Writing Judging Committees. These judges vote in their respective
committees for the distinctive award categories. The winners will be announced on Saturday,
July 19 at this years ceremony.
Simon Ford, the Spirited Awards Chairman, has assembled a separate committee chairmen to
oversee each judging committee, ensuring the judging process is executed fairly.
The International committee, overseen by Jacob Briars will consist of 50 qualified judges from
across the globe. Jackson Cannon will lead the USA judging committee comprised of 50 judges
knowledgeable about the bar culture in the USA and the industry as a whole. The Writing
committee, made up of 9 leaders in the cocktail and spirits writing industry, will be led by David
Wondrich, an esteemed industry author. His most recent publications are Imbibe and Punch.
Having committees dedicated to each of these categories brings more integrity and accuracy to
the awards themselves.
Nominations will begin on April 1, 2015 and end on April 30 at 11:59 (Pacific Time). Voting will
begin on Monday, May 18, 2015 and end Monday May 25 at 11:59 PM.
The 2015 judges are as follows:
International:
Helmut Adam, Germany
Jenny Adams, Manila
Sven Almenning, Australia
Ben Belmans, Benelux
Stephan Berg, Germany
Jacob Briars, New York
Jared Brown, London
Ian Burrell, Global
Salvatore Calabrese, London
Dean Callan, Global

Thierry Daniel, France

Simon Difford, London
Peter Dorelli, London
Philip Duff, Global
Eric Fossard, France
John Gakuru, Australia
Giuseppe Gallo, Global
Tony Harion, Brazil
Denzel Heath, South Africa
Chris Hopkins, SE Africa

Richard Irwin, Africa

Tim Judge, Global
Zdenek Kastanek, Singapore
Alan Kavanagh, Ireland
Alex Kratena, London
Max LaRocca, Italy
Sandrae Lawrence, London
Erik Lorinzc, London
Michael Menegos, Greece
Joerg Meyer, Germany
Joseph Mortera, Mexico
Lauren Mote, Canada
Tim Stones, Global
Michael Vachon, London
Camille Vidal, Global
Frankie Walker, New Zealand
USA:
Bridget Albert, Chicago
Brooke Arthur, San Francisco
Jacques Bezuidenhout, San Francisco
Derek Brown, Washington DC
Erick Castro, San Diego
Paul Clarke, Seattle
Alex Day, Los Angeles
Dale DeGroff, New York
Elayne Duff, New York
Brian Ellison, Madison
Camper English, San Francisco
Ryan Fitzpatrick, San Francisco
Doug Frost, Kansas City
Trevor Frye, Washington DC
Chad George, Denver
John Gertsen, San Francisco
Kate Gerwin, North Dakota
Chris Hannah, New Orleans
Josh Harris, San Francisco
Bobby Heugel, Houston
Charles Joly, Chicago
Misty Kalkofen, Boston
Sean Kenyon, Denver
Neil Kopplin, Portland
John Lermayer, Miami
Writing:
Fernando Castellon, Lyon
Beppi Crosariol, Toronto

Bek Narzi, Russia

George Nemec, Europe
Xavier Padovani, Europe
Alberto Pires, Portugal
Jared Plummer, Australia
Marc Plumridge, London
Alex Ross, Australia
Kurt Schlecter, Africa
Cristine Sismondo, Canada
Justin Smyth, Global
Hidetsuego Ueno, Japan
Claire Warner, London
Max Warner, Global
Theo Watt, China

Ryan Magarian, Portland

Ryan Maybee, Kansas City
Jim Meehan, Portland
Jeffrey Morganthaler, Portland
Steve Olsen, New York
Chris Patino, New York
Dave Pickerell, Vermont
Julie Reiner, New York
Gary Regan, New York
Todd Richman, Miami
Noah Rothbaum, New York
Jim Ryan, New York
Mike Ryan, Chicago
Jon Santer, Emeryville
Andy Seymour, New York
David Suro-Pinera, Philadelphia
Charlotte Voisey, New York
Joshua Wagner, Miami
Liza Weisstuch, Boston
Courtney Wilson, Denver
Jimmy Yeager, Aspen
Rocky Yeh, Seattle
Naren Young, New York
Dushan Zaric, Los Angeles

Wayne Curtis, New Orleans

Robert Hess, Seattle

Alice Lascelles, London

Pat Nourse, Sydney
Garrett Oliver, New York

Gary Regan, New York

Dave Wondrich, New York

The 9th annual Spirited Awards will take place on Saturday, July 19. For more information visit
TalesoftheCocktail.com or email Michelle Dunnick at Michelle@TalesoftheCocktail.com.
About Tales of the Cocktail
The Spirits Are Calling. Will you answer? Theyre calling you to New Orleans for five days of
seminars, tastings, product launches, competitions, networking events and so much more at the
world's premier professional cocktail event. By just being a part of this spirited gathering youll
help your fellow cocktail professionals around the world. Funds from Tales of the Cocktail are
invested back into the industry through scholarships, tuition reimbursements, training programs
and financial aid. So join us as the international spirits community answers the call, returning for
another spirited round of Tales of the Cocktail.
About the New Orleans Culinary and Cultural Preservation Society
The New Orleans Culinary and Cultural Preservation Society (NOCCPS) is a non-profit
organization committed to preserving the unique cocktail culture in New Orleans and around the
world. Every year the NOCCPS produces a number of events including Tales of the Cocktail,
Tales of the Cocktail on Tour, and Tales of the Toddy with proceeds being invested back into
the international spirits community through scholarships, training programs and financial aid.

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CONTACT:
Michelle Dunnick; 504-948-0511; Michelle@TalesoftheCocktail.com.
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