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Karla has rightly earned worldwide recognition for her spirits-industry journalism. As senior contributor for ForbesLife, spirits are her primary beat.
Prior to ForbesLife, Karla honed her craft during stints at Haute Media Group, The New York Observer, Metropolis Magazine, Lifestyle Mirror, and Tatler Philippines.
Karla is especially passionate about brown liquor, red meat, and green M&Ms.
As an influencer within the African American community, Samara consults and advocates for diversity and inclusion in direct consumer marketing standards and the importance of having "a seat at the table" within the spirits industry. Samara also speaks and moderates panel discussions at festivals across the country and hosts private educational whiskey tasting seminars.
John deBary is a celebrated mixologist, author, and workers rights advocate with over a decade of experience crafting delicious drinks. John founded Proteau, a line of zero-proof botanical drinks. In March 2020, his nonprofit RWCF established a Covid-19 relief fund and has so far raised over $8 million to fund relief efforts for affected hospitality industry workers.
As an influencer within the African American community, Samara consults and advocates for diversity and inclusion in direct consumer marketing standards and the importance of having "a seat at the table" within the spirits industry. Samara also speaks and moderates panel discussions at festivals across the country and hosts private educational whiskey tasting seminars.
Kim has had a long career in the beverage arena, from her humble beginnings as a bartender in NYC to creating a global beverage consultancy where she’s created and implemented programs around the world—in the U.S., India, Mexico, the United Kingdom, the Caribbean, and beyond. Her niche is understanding large scale operations, having her finger on the pulse of current trends, and marrying the two.
“I have big ambitions for Garden Bar PHX and The Cocktail Collaborative that includes education, events, and mentorship.”
As senior staff writer and reviewer at VinePair, Tim specializes in cocktail culture, wine, and spirits. Before writing about booze, Tim worked as a professional chef in award-winning kitchens in London and Buenos Aires.
As senior staff writer and reviewer at VinePair, Tim specializes in cocktail culture, wine, and spirits. Before writing about booze, Tim worked as a professional chef in award-winning kitchens in London and Buenos Aires.
One of the first and most prolific cocktail bloggers in Los Angeles, Caroline has gone on to cover liquor and travel for online publications such as Eater LA, LAist, and Liquor, as well as print magazines, including Los Angeles Magazine where she served as drinks editor.
One of the first and most prolific cocktail bloggers in Los Angeles, Caroline has gone on to cover liquor and travel for online publications such as Eater LA, LAist, and Liquor, as well as print magazines, including Los Angeles Magazine where she served as drinks editor.
Since 2021 Raul has been GM/Bar Director of The Airliner in the Lincoln Heights neighborhood of Los Angeles. Raul provides his customers with what he has coined an “elevated hospitable experience,” inviting anyone and everyone to pull up a seat, join him at the bar, and sample his creative concoctions.
As an advocate for the ancestral cultivation of agave based spirits, Raul is at the forefront of a movement supporting brands that celebrate agave’s rich cultural and familial history.
Since 2021 Raul has been GM/Bar Director of The Airliner in the Lincoln Heights neighborhood of Los Angeles. Raul provides his customers with what he has coined an “elevated hospitable experience,” inviting anyone and everyone to pull up a seat, join him at the bar, and sample his creative concoctions.
As an advocate for the ancestral cultivation of agave based spirits, Raul is at the forefront of a movement supporting brands that celebrate agave’s rich cultural and familial history.
Amie is known for her love of sustainable bartending methodologies and high volume event batching, and conducts educational seminars and bespoke cocktail classes for guests and bartenders on the topics.
In her spare time, you can find Amie pulling trucks, competing in Strongwoman competitions, and skating roller derby.
Amie is known for her love of sustainable bartending methodologies and high volume event batching, and conducts educational seminars and bespoke cocktail classes for guests and bartenders on the topics.
In her spare time, you can find Amie pulling trucks, competing in Strongwoman competitions, and skating roller derby.
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