The Industry

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...

This weeks guest is Harley O’Grady who joins from Chicago, Illinois. Harley is a bartender turned Brand Ambassador with deep roots in hospitality since birth. Always on the go seeking spontaneity and adventure leading a life with minimal dull moments. A big thank you to Jean-Marc Dykes of Imbiblia for setting up our new website theindustrypodcast.club . Imbiblia is a cocktail app for bartenders, r...

This weeks guest is David Schaub who joins us from Ottawa, Ontario. Trained and raised in Waterloo, Ontario, David Schaub spent a decade learning his craft in the area’s restaurants, caterers, and butcher shop. Most notably, Dave spent nearly five years at Bhima’s Warung, learning the foundations of his career. Settling in Ottawa in 2010, Dave worked his way through some of the city’s kitchens bef...

This weeks guest is Lia Dionisio who joins us from Bergen County, New Jersey . Lia is a WSET II Certified spirits industry professional. Over the last thirteen years, Lia has worked in various aspects of spirits including marketing, PR, event production, spirits education and more. Lia has worked for leading brands including Johnnie Walker, Jose Cuervo, Hendrick’s Gin, Maker’s Mark and has reached...

Mandy Naglich is an author, journalist, and educator covering all aspects of our beloved booze industry. Her book “ How to Taste: A Guide to Discovering Flavor and Savoring Life ” which recounts her adventures in the wild world of professional tasting, is a Spirited Awards Finalist. Mandy travels the world as a cocktail judge, host, and consultant, but calls NYC home. As a certified taster, Advanc...

This weeks guest is Miroki Tong . When not sipping, learning, and educating about vino, Miroki is the Chief Executive Officer of The Story Engine Deck , which develops card based open prompt creative tools for writers, game masters and educators. She holds an MBA with specializations in Strategic Management, Organizational Behaviour and Entrepreneurship. She is also an award-winning performer, pro...

This weeks guest is Jean-Marc Dykes - who is the creator, developer and driving force behind the Imbiblia app - a cocktail recipe platform for bartenders, bars, restaurants and pretty much everyone and anyone interested in cocktails. Imbiblia allows for quick visual filtering of information and eliminates the need for content scanning of text which makes the platform far more efficient than search...

This weeks guest is Emma Janzen . Emma s an award-winning book author and journalist who reports on global drinking cultures for outlets including The New York Times, PUNCH, The World’s 50 Best Bars , and more. The recipient of two James Beard Foundation awards and two Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Awards, Emma co-authored The Way of the Cocktail with Julia Momosé, The Bartender’s Manifesto with...

This weeks guest is Beckaly Franks , who joins us from Hong Kong . Originally born in Hawaii, but raised in Idaho, Beckaly moved to Hong Kong in 2015. Beckaly co-founded The Pontiac , which has been featured on the list of Asia’s 50 Best Bars for 7 years and is credited with pushing for female empowerment and creating an inclusive space where everyone is welcome. More recently, Beckaly founded Hun...

Jake Richards joins the show this week for an in-person interview. Jake is a certified sommelier who is currently working at Loloan Lobby Bar in Waterloo, Ontario . Jake got his start in the Industry at the age of 12 when he landed his first job at a pizza restaurant and he’s been employed in the industry ever since. In our conversation with Jake, he talks about his first steps in becoming a somme...

This weeks guest is Cassandra Walker who joins us for an in-person interview. Cas is currently working as a bartender at LaLa Social House in Waterloo, Ontario . Cas starting working in the Industry while in her teen years when she landed a job as a hostess at Turtle Jacks . From there, Cas moved on to working at e11even in Toronto. After moving to Waterloo to attend University, Cas has worked at...

This weeks guest is Madeleine Hayles who is a sommelier and the owner of Happy Coffee And Wine , a cafe and wine bar in the Parkdale neighbourhood of Toronto , Ontario, Canada. Mads had done several stints at classic restaurants like Terroni and higher end fine dining at Actinolite and Hop Goods Foodliner, but she found her passion working at Midfield Wine Bar . After 4 years there, Mads and sever...

This weeks guest is Jason McNeely who joins us for an in person interview. Currently, Jay is the Lead Bartender at Area which is in The Well complex in Toronto. Jay got an early start in the Industry when he started washing dishes at his grandparents restaurant in Gananoque, Ontario . Jason eventually worked in all the roles from dishwasher to cooking to sever before he eventually left to go to sc...

Alyson Turner is the co-founder of 1620 Distilling , a thriving distillery she launched in 2021 alongside her husband and in-laws. Alyson leads the company’s social media presence and marketing efforts, driving brand awareness and engagement. Her expertise in digital marketing stems from her personal success as a prominent whiskey influencer , where she has cultivated a following of over 250,000 e...

This weeks guest is Chris Gardner who joins us for in person interview. Chris is currently working as a chef at Malt and Barley in Kitchener. Chris got his start early in The Industry when he landed his first job as a dish washer at The Golden Griddle in his early teen years. Chris has worked in a number of spots covering both smaller private businesses as well as large corporate enterprises over...

This weeks guest is Olivia Cox who joins us from Orange County , California. Liv is the Chef de Cuisine at The Cellar restaurant in Fullerton , California. Liv’s culinary journey started when she was eighteen when Liv attended the Art Institute in order to attain her associates degree in culinary arts. However, after two years of going to school, Liv landed a job at Disneyland California Adventure...

This weeks guest is Matt Maretz who joins us from New York City . Matt has worked as a bartender in NYC for the last 6 years and during the last 5 he has worked through the program at Employees Only and now is a Principal Bartender and Assistant Bar Manager at the world renown bar celebrating it’s 20th year this year. Originally from San Diego CA, Matt studied Acting at Syracuse University receivi...

This weeks guest is Shelly Stuart who joins us from The Woodlands, Texas . Shelley is the creator and driving force of Simply Shelley And Cocktails . Shelley’s motivation behind starting this brand was that she was not a fan of sweets and sugary cocktails - so Shelley wanted to bring a ‘healthier’ and easy way to make cocktails and mocktails to others. Initially, Simply Shelley and Cocktails start...