The Industry

Jon Rennie has spent 20+ years cooking in restaurants in Waterloo Region . As a constant; he has had the pursuit of flavour in mind throughout his life. Always striving to be better; this mentality has taken a drastic switch in focus to mental health (especially in the industry), sustainability beyond food sourcing to his coworkers and their lives, and bettering industry environments wherever he c...

John MacPherson , Scotch Specialist for PMA Canada , represents 12 of the world’s most prestigious brands of Scotch Whisky , including Glenfiddich , The Balvenie , The GlenDronach , Bunnahabhain , Monkey Shoulder and more. A Scotch fan for life, John has immersed himself in the lore, craft and history of this fascinating world. He enjoys nothing more than sharing these stories along with a few dra...

This weeks guest is Julie Mecteau aka ‘Jukie’. Born in Québec City , Jukie was raised in the hospitality industry by restauranteur parents and learned the word “workaholic” at a very young age. After 17 years in the service industry, obtaining 6 wine and spirit certifications and living in Australia, Montreal and NYC, she refocussed her hospitality experience to pursue her career as a Brand Ambass...

This is Part 2 of our 2 Part interview with Kypp Saunders - the host of this podcast! Kypp is currently co-owner of Sugar Run in Kitchener Ontario and the soon to be open Babylon Sisters in Waterloo, Ontario . Growing up in Kingston Ontario , Kypp started working in the Industry while still in high school. After finishing high school, Kypp moved to Waterloo Ontario to attend the University of Wate...

This weeks guest is Kypp Saunders - the host of this podcast! Kypp is currently co-owner of Sugar Run in Kitchener Ontario and the soon to be open Babylon Sisters in Waterloo, Ontario . Growing up in Kingston Ontario , Kypp started working in the Industry while still in high school. After finishing high school, Kypp moved to Waterloo Ontario to attend the University of Waterloo . It was at this ti...

This weeks guest is Aubrey K. Slater - co-owner and Chief Brand Development Queen for Saint Luna Charcoal Filtered Moonshine . This is Part 2 of a 2 part interview. Aubrey is a transwoman and a former First Lieutenant in The United States Marine Corps and a true hospitality professional. Aubrey has achieved a second level sommelier certification and has worked for wineries, cruise ships and fine d...

This weeks guest is Aubrey K. Slater - co-owner and Chief Brand Development Queen for Saint Luna Charcoal Filtered Moonshine . This is Part 1 of a 2 part interview. Aubrey is a transwoman and a former First Lieutenant in The United States Marine Corps and a true hospitality professional. Aubrey has achieved a second level sommelier certification and has worked for wineries, cruise ships and fine d...

This week we are joined by Angela Aiello for a terrific conversation on all things wine. ANGELA AIELLO Wine Expert, Journalist, Educator and On-Air Host Contact information : ask@superwinegirl.com Website : www.superwinegirl.com IG: @SuperWineGirl Who Is Angela Aiello Angela Aiello has been changing the world of wine for the past 20 years. Seeking to make wine endlessly fascinating, she goes by th...

This weeks guest is Elissa Dunn who currently resides in Phoenix, Arizona . Originally born and raised in South Florida , Elissa decided she wanted a change of careers while in her mid 20’s. Elissa left the corporate world for a career in the Hospitality Industry.  Elissa is primarily self taught, and to gain a wealth of experience she decided to take a unique approach by road tripping across the...

This week’s guest is Alexis Tinoco . Currently residing in Chicago Illinois , Alexis has been working at the Aviary for over seven years where the past five have been dedicated to managing and helping to build the bar program. The bar program at Aviary was chef designed and is meant to explore unique techniques and serviceware via cocktails. The Aviary is well known for their culinary approach to...

This week’s guest is Sarah Parniak . Sarah is obsessed with beverages, so she's shaped her entire professional life around all things sippable.  Sarah is a drinks writer whose work has appeared in publications like Toronto Life , enRoute , Foodism , Quench and NOW Magazine , where she wrote the weekly column Drink Up for five years.  In her former life, Sarah spent the better half of a decade behi...

Shawn Soole is this weeks guest on The Industry. What began as a youthful ambition to craft the perfect cocktail, has matured into a proficiency across every aspect of beverage service. Twenty years after being named State Title winner by the Australian Bartenders Guild , Shawn Soole continues to view the service industry as a medium to deliver his unique style of exceptional customer experience....

This week we are joined by Thalita Cacho from Brazil . Camilla Gama also joins the podcast and is the interpreter for the interview. Currently, Thalita lives in Recife-PE but considers herself a Citizen of the World. Thalita is an accomplished Beer Sommelière, and obtained certification in the Master in Styles, Brewing Technique and Beer Expert through the Science of Beer Institute in Brazil. Thal...

Frederique Leblanc joins the show this week from Montreal Quebec . Currently, Frederique is a Brand Ambassador for Diageo's Reserve Portfolio in Montreal.  Frederique had an interest in mixology at an early age. When Frederique was in her early teenage years, she was already having fun making the most extravagant hot chocolate and Shirley Temples filled with quirky garnishes. Frederique’s...

This episode we are joined by Josh Cormier , Founder and Distiller at Pepprell Distilling Company which is located in Moorefield, Ontario . Pepprell Distillery currently produces a vodka from 100% molasses. They also produce a craft gin infused with essential botanicals such as juniper berries, lemon, cardamom, coriander, and a little black pepper.  Originally born and raised in London, Ontario ,...

This week we are joined by Leishla Maldonado from Providence, Rhode Island . Leishla is a mother, award winning bartender, and consultant. Originally from Boston , Leishla began her hospitality career as a sandwich artist at Subway . From there, she moved on to becoming an Award winning hostess at Hard Rock Cafe , to working at one of the more established cocktail bars in Providence to managing a...

This week we are joined by Robert A. Martin from Panama City, Panama . Born in Concord, Massachusetts and  raised in the Republic of Panama – Robert has been fortunate enough to have a very multicultural background which transcends into his work and style. His career in the industry began in the US while working in Atlanta for a short spell. Eventually, Robert moved on to the great city of New Yor...

Aaron Male is an award-winning Toronto, Ontario based bartender, mixologist, and sous chef, with almost twenty years of industry experience. Recently stepping into the role of Canadian Brand Ambassador for Tia Maria and Disaronno , he has worked at some of Toronto’s more popular establishments. He has worked at places like Miss Thing’s , an extremely popular tiki bar and restaurant as well as bein...

This week we are joined by Lauren Ballard from Tampa Bay, Florida . Lauren was born and raised in Indianapolis, Indiana . Lauren got her start in the service industry as a hostess/ server while still in high school. Lauren attended Syracuse University from 2002 - 2007 where she graduated with a B.S. in Fashion Design with a Minor in Public Communications . While in university, Lauren took the oppo...

This week we are joined by Rodrigo Cedano and Nicole McCallum of Tequila Tromba .  Rodrigo Cedano CEO & COO MEXICO, Apprentice Distiller Some of us search to find our place in the world while others are born into their ideal setting.  Rodrigo Cedano took some of his first steps amongst the agave and has literally grown up developing a passion and unparalleled knowledge of the tequila industry....

Laura Reidy joins the show this week from Hollywood, California . Originally from Lantana in South Florida, Laura started her hospitality career as a hostess while still in high school. Eventually, Laura moved on to serving and ultimately found her calling behind the bar. Laura’s main passion is whiskey, which helped her land the Bar Manager position at APL Restaurant in Hollywood, California. Lau...

This week we are joined by Zac Hoffman from Washington, DC . Growing up in Northern Virginia , Zac began his hospitality career cooking in a small wine bar in Leesburg with a tiny kitchen. Working at night and attending a vocational High School during the day, the itch to create art with food took hold. After a few years of cooking in large and small kitchens, Zac attended The Culinary Institue of...

Bartender, lesbian, activist - Thatta Kimura has been working in the hospitality area in Sao Paulo, Brazil for more than 9 years. She has worked in major recognized and award winning establishments such as Attimo and Frank Bar . In addition to bartending for the past two and a half years - she has served as Manager and team leader at a bar where she was able to implement a 100% female and LGBTQIA...

Monica Carbonell is the Founder and Beverage Director of Liquid Culture . Initially started as an inclusive community that encouraged users to be their very best home bartender, Liquid Culture has evolved in to a multi media production and management company. Monica’s passion for cocktails flourished during her time as a leading Bartender with the iconic team at Canoe Restaurant and Bar , situated...

Michael Ng joins the show this week. Currently residing in Los Angeles, California , Michael is the owner and operator of Behind The Glass Bartending - a boutique bartending company specializing in custom crafted cocktails, flair bartending, creativity, and top notch engaging service. Some of the services that BTG Bartending offers includes everything from bar and restaurant consultations, private...