The Industry

Lia Niskanen is dedicated to the power of storytelling and is a passionate whiskey advocate. She is an Executive Bourbon Steward (Stave and Thief Society) , holds an advanced Diploma in Single Malt Whisky from the Edinburgh Whisky Academy , and is an award-winning distillery visitor experience professional with a deep passion for whiskey history. She is the founder of Barrel Strength Talent , a wh...

This weeks guest is Gail Nugent, who joins us from Vancouver, British Columbia . Gail is the publisher of The Alchemist - a magazine devoted to the dynamic, increasingly diverse world of micro-distillers and craft cocktails. Gail is also the publisher of Vitis Wine Culture Magazine and The Growler Craft Beer Magazine . Furthermore, Gail is the founder and Producer of Vancouver Cocktail Week and th...

This weeks guest is Jessica Neblina who joins us from Los Angeles, California . Jessica started her hospitality career in her teens and has worn many hats since. Currently, Jessica is running her own bar in Riverside, California called Bar Ni Modo which has been a concept and project in the works for the last two years. Over the last three years, Jessica has also been a participant in the Cocktail...

This weeks guest is Bethany Nardi who joins us from Granite Bay, California . Bethany’s maiden initials are BAR so it seems that a career in the hospitality industry was always meant to be. Bethany started in the industry in 2006 as a server in a little family run Italian restaurant called Strings. At that time, Bethany was working towards her fashion design degree at Sierra College in Rocklin, Ca...

This weeks guest is Mara Mullen who joins us from Dunwoody, Georgia . Mara is currently the Beverage Manager at Politan Row at Ashford Lane , where she oversees Bar Politan, Okay Anny’s Cocktail Bar and Streaker’s Pub . With over 15 years behind the bar and a background in science, Mara bring a blend of curiosity, creativity, and precision to everything she does. Her passion lies in the stories be...

This weeks guest is Evelina Girling who joins us from London, England . Evelina is a remarkable entrepreneur and one of the few women leading in London’s nightlife and hospitality sector. She’s the co-founder and CEO of The London Cabaret Club — the capital’s longest-running cabaret — which she launched in 2013 after transitioning from a career in finance. Under her leadership, The London Cabaret...

This weeks guest is Gabriela Holzer , who joins us from Cleveland, Ohio . Gabriela has been in the hospitality industry since 2015, upon graduating from university, in Ann Arbor, Michigan . Gaby moved to Cleveland in 2017, where she began her journey in the cocktail world. Gaby has helmed a variety of cocktail bars and restaurants around the city, and has been the lead bartender at Thyme Table for...

This weeks guests are Paul Helman and Dan Andrews who join us from Florida and are the creative force and owners of Pure Pour - Stop The Waste - Pour Spouts That Never Leak. Paul and Dan are two cagey bar industry vets who’ve seen it all, poured it all, and probably drank most of it. These days, they’re the guys behind Pure Pour , saving bars thousands in lost booze… because nobody’s got time (nor...

This weeks guest is Reece Sims , who joins us from Calgary, Alberta. This is Reece's second appearance on the show! Reece previously appeared on episode 227. Reece is an entrepreneur, educator, and writer with expertise in drink trends, flavour pairings, and beverage market insights. As a former award-winning bartender and top-performing Sales Manager, she founded SIP Spirits Consulting Inc. to de...

This weeks guest is Lillian Whyte . Lillian is the owner, operator and creative force behind My Mason - which are decadent desserts such as black forest cake, blueberry lemon cheesecake, tiramisu and many other varieties of desserts served in a mason jar. Born and raised in Guelph , Lillian is a life long baker who initially learned how to bake with her Mom and considers baking therapeutic and as...

This weeks guest is Josh Cuellar who joins us for an in person interview. Bringing over 13 years of experience in the industry, Josh’s career has worked its way through a multitude of events and functions such as freelancing, special events bartending, to running cocktail programs for restaurants. Currently, you will find Josh running the cocktail program at Charcoal Steakhouse and Del's...

This weeks guest is Melissa Brennan , a Toronto -born and raised bartender with almost a decade of experience behind the bar. Melissa got her start in several notable Toronto spots — Bar Raval , 416 Snack Bar/Short Turn , and Mother — before making the move to Vancouver . Since landing on the West Coast, Melissa has been both inspired and impressed by the strength and sense of community in the loc...

This weeks guest is Katie Black . Born in Austin, Texas , and raised between live music and livestock shows, Katie wrapped up high school in Wichita Falls , a town where ambition has to shout over Friday night football. Katie originally headed to New Jersey on a film and theatre scholarship, clearly chasing a dramatic plot twist, but ended up studying dental assisting instead. Then came Germany—wh...

This weeks guest is Niki McHugh who joins us for an in person interview. Niki is currently the long time serving and well entrenched day shift bartender at Wildcraft in Waterloo. Niki has been employed at Wildcraft since day one of their opening over eighteen years ago. Niki initially got her start in the Industry over two decades ago when she landed a job at a nightclub in downtown Kitchener. Aft...

This weeks guest is Cassandra Michelle , who joins us from Tampa , Florida . Cassandra is a creative and viral content creator who’s taken the social media world by storm. With over half a million followers on TikTok, Cassandra is known for producing relatable, and highly shareable bartending content and recipe videos. Cassandra is also the author of a popular shot e-book, named Shots 101 featurin...

This weeks guest is Jordan Mazzanti who joins us from the Muskoka region of Ontario, Canada. Jordan is currently working as the Directory of Beverage at Oviinbird Golf Club. Jordan started working in restaurants at the age of 15 when he landed a job washing dishes. Since that time, Jordan has held every position in many different styles of restaurants all over the world. Jordan spent his 20’s trav...

This weeks guest is Theresa Bell who joins us from Atlanta, Georgia . Originally born and raised in Jacksonville Florida , Theresa has resided in Atlanta for the past 15 years. Theresa has a background in performing arts and her artistic creativity was easily translated into becoming a mixologist Queen. Theresa has traveled all over the world in both her dance and mixology career. This allowed her...

This weeks guest is Janice Bailon , who joins us from New York City . Born in Panorama City , California, and growing up in Ventura County , Janice embraces her California background. Janice feels California awarded her some of her greatest passions. She still cultivates these passions and hobbies: Forgotten classic cinema, movies, and musicals, especially from the 1970s and earlier, local seasona...

Esther Dawson is a Certified Sommelier based in Ontario with over eight years of experience in hospitality. Esther currently works as the Sommelier, Cellar Lead, and F&B Content Creator at Langdon Hall Relais & Châteaux , where she’s not only on the floor pairing wines and opening bottles, but also involved in the marketing and media side—crafting content, managing promotions, and help...

This weeks guest is Jenae Hyland , who joins us from Chandler, Arizona. Jenae is a powerhouse beverage operations strategist and Forbes trained mixologist and the creator and owner of The Pretty Libationist - a full service mobile bartending company servicing events like weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, parties and in home custom cocktail and mocktail experiences, mixology classes and more. Jen...

This weeks guest is Reece Sims , who joins us from Calgary, Alberta. Reece is an entrepreneur, educator, and writer with expertise in drink trends, flavour pairings, and beverage market insights. As a former award-winning bartender and top-performing Sales Manager, she founded SIP Spirits Consulting Inc. to deliver sensory marketing solutions for beverage brands. In addition, she founded Flavor Ca...

This weeks guest is Tiffany Huntington , who joins us from Scottsdale, Arizona . Originally from Los Angeles, Tiffany moved to Arizona back in 2006. Tiffany has spent over 2 decades in the service industry, working as a bartender, manager, and booking agent. Tiffany is a tequila master, craft cocktail and culinary artist. As a side gig, Tiffany is also a model. Currently, you can find Tiffany slin...

This weeks guest is Amy Probasco who joins us from Chicago, Illinois. Amy has been a hospitality professional for nearly two decades. A Virginia native, she has worked throughout the country in high volume clubs, award-winning restaurants, and nationally recognized craft cocktail bars. Named by the Chicago Tribune as one of city's top bartenders in 2012, she went on to establish the bar program at...

This weeks guest is Josh Lindley who returns to the show. Josh began his spirits quest in 2006 after short stints in the broadcasting and music industries. Josh has worked behind bars at notable Toronto establishments like Bar Isabel , Chantecler and Civil Liberties . Josh also worked as brand ambassador for an unusual gin. In 2016 he and life partner, Jessica Blaine Smith, created Bartender Atlas...

This weeks guest is Meghan Webb who joins us from Austin, Texas . Meghan is a seasoned hospitality professional with over a decade of crafting memorable experiences. A Texas native , Meghan’s journey has taken her across the globe , including a four year stint in Australia and New Zealand. Starting her career in craft beer, Meghan quickly found her passion in wine and spirits, which had led to her...