Served Up

Gina Fossitt, founder of Dandelion Bev Ed and co-founder of Sip. Central, takes us through her unique journey that led her to create the first ever Canadian Whiskey certification program. She also shares insights into her ventures and how she continues to shake up the beverage industry

Josh Davis, founder of Brown & Balanced, shares tough challenges and making life-changing decisions that led to the creation of Brown & Balanced. He also gives us the inside scoop on his upcoming podcast, packed with real talk and fresh perspectives

Charlotte Voisey, Executive Director of Tales of the Cocktail, reflects on her journey through the beverage industry. She discusses 18 years in the drink advocacy world, her new role as Executive Director, and her ongoing commitment to creating a more inclusive space for diverse voices in the industry. Our comprehensive talk offers a rare glimpse into her incredible career that has led her to bein...

Philip Raimondo, Director of On Premise National Accounts for Proximo Spirits, shares his distinguished career in the beverage industry. With decades of experience dedicated to the art of hospitality, Philip shares invaluable insights on what it takes to foster exceptional service and build lasting relationships within the hospitality world

Ivan Saldaña, Master Distiller & Chief of Innovation at Casa Lumbre, shares his journey in the world of agave and his groundbreaking approach to crafting exceptional spirits. He shares how tradition and innovation come together in his work, and what the future holds for the brands he's helping to steward, as well as the spirits industry altogether

Amy Lukken, Tito’s Handmade Vodka's Chief Joyologist, shares the heart of joy and creativity behind one of America's favorite brands. Amy shares her unique perspective on what it means to be a "Joyologist", explaining how she integrates joy into Tito's culture and community initiatives spanning all over the world

Stephen Halpin, a beverage trade advocate veteran, shares his passion and knowledge as we explore his personal journey and rich history within the beverage industry. Stephen shares how a nudge from his grandfather in Ireland created a pivotal moment that ignited his lifelong passion for hospitality

Mel Heim & Ben Falcone, CEO & Partner respectively behind Big Nose Kate Western Whiskey, dive into the history and creation of both the liquid and the brand bearing Kate's name, uncovering how the makers draw from both stories of the wild west frontier and modern distilling techniques to create a product that's as unique as its namesake

Matt Hemmings & Brian Thomason, founders of Sunshine Punch, take us into the creation and journey of their delicious orange cream drink. They share the inspiration behind Sunshine Punch from the vision of creating a fun, delicious drink that evokes feeling of nostalgia to their commitment to quality and bold flavors. With a shared love for music, they often gathered around a fire to jam, unwin...

Joel Blum, the co-founder of the LA Spirits Awards & High Spirits Awards, is proud to celebrate the incredible talent, craftsmanship, and passion that go into every bottle of spirits. Joel talks about his love for the talented judges and colleagues he works with, and how honored he is to recognize the excellence and effort behind every pour

Mark Chaplin, Executive Vice President, Commerical Sales for Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits, shares his leadership philosophy and the core values that drive both business success and team cohesion. Mark emphasizes the importance of collaboration, mentorship, and empowerment in achieving organizational growth. Through his experiences, Mark advocates that strong relationships and a family...

Jane Bowie and Denny Potter, the founders of Potter Jane Distilling Company with a shared passion for crafting exceptional bourbon, have combined their expertise and vision to create something truly unique. From their hands on approach to distilling to their commitment to quality, Jane & Denny share their story of bringing this brand new American whiskey distillery to life after nearly five de...

Hannah Hanley, a true leader in the word of spirits and driving force behind the International Wine & Spirits Competition - USA, joins us to talk about her passion for excellence and dedication to celebrating the best in the industry, Hannah is helping set the standard for innovation, quality, and craftsmanship in spirits worldwide

Mike Morrison, the founder of A Sheltered Life, is on a mission to build orphanages and Hope Centers across the globe - providing love, support, and opportunity to children in need. This is just the beginning of a journey to create a brighter future for thousands of young lives

Chef Shannon Smith, author of The Hidden Table Cookbook, explores the culinary secrets and inspirations behind her crafted recipes. Shannon shares her travels around the world, creating dishes while immersed within many different cultures. With warmth and enthusiasm, she tells the stories behind her favorite recipes, revealing experiences that influenced her philosophy of food, and of giving back

Nelson Nieves, Founder of Bosscal Mezcal, embarks on an agave-filled adventure that is enlightening and fun. Nelson shares his passion for mezcal, detailing how he transformed his love for this traditional spirit to a thriving brand. He shares entertaining stories from his journey, including challenges he faced and the joy of bringing a piece of Mexican culture to the world

Kimberley Spence, Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits Vice President of Development & Marketing, reflects on the importance of representation and mentorship, emphasizing her commitment to empowering others. Kimberley shares her experience as a black women in the industry, and candidly discusses the biases she's faced and how they shaped her resilience and drive. The conversation als...

Jesse Bongiovi, co-founder of Hampton Water Rosé, is back and discusses the vibrant world of wine along with a splash of fun and personality. Throughout the conversation, Jesse highlights the importance of community and connection, reflecting on how his brand embodies the spirit of celebration he enjoyed growing up around New Jersey and Long Island.

Co-Founder Eva Longoria and Head of Production Alejandra Pelayo dive into the vibrant world of their shared entrepreneurial effort: Casa del Sol Tequila, a brand proudly led by women who honor their Mexican heritage. Join us as we explore the artistry of tequila making, the stories behind each sip, and their ultimate commitment to integrity and tradition. Recorded just after Mexican Independence D...

Jose "Pepe" Hermosillo, SVP, General Manager-Spirits, and Founder of Casa Noble Tequila, shares his journey to create one of the finest tequilas in the world. Driven by his passion for quality spirits, Pepe tells us about his focus on innovative production processes that led him to create a unique series of single barrel tequilas In celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month, Served...

Bertha González Nieves, Co-Founder and CEO of Casa Dragones Tequila, takes us through her journey of becoming a Tequila Master and creating a unique sipping Tequila through a focus on Mexican craftsmanship, innovation and quality. Bertha shares her passion for our industry and invites us to learn about her journey In celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month, Served Up will be dropping a ser...

Served Up en Español: Serafin Alvarado, Southern Glazer's Director of Education & Master Sommelier, co-hosts an interesting episode to celebrate Latino successes in our industry through a conversation where he describes his journey to become one of the few Latinos with the esteemed title of Master Sommelier. Serafin tells his story with passion while recognizing the people that helped him...

Kim Marotta, Chief Environmental Sustainability Officer at Suntory Global Spirits, discusses the company's ambitious goals for reducing environmental impact and enhancing sustainability. She shares insights into innovative practices Suntory is adopting to address climate change and resource management

Rachel Burkons, a THC drinkable advocate, entrepreneur, and educator, discusses her challenges and triumphs of her work. She exudes passion for making lasting change in the THC category so as to shape the future in this exciting emerging sector of the adult beverage world

Louis Zweig, Southen Glazer's Wine & Spirits SVP of Commercial Operations, dives into the buzz around celebrity brands and why they're shaking up the beverage world. He speaks about championing craft brands and the innovation they bring, highlights market diversity, & shares his incredible journey through the beverage world