Our Experts

Master Sommelier Catherine Fallis is known for her approachable and consumer-friendly wine expertise. She played a pivotal role in wine acquisition and content creation while leading the Sommelier team at Bright Cellars for 15 months. She later launched Planet Grape Wine Review, America's first female-led wine review platform. Educated at Cornell University, she became the fifth woman in the world to earn the Master Sommelier title and is the only person to also hold the Advanced Certified Wine Professional title from the Culinary Institute of America. Her latest book is "Ten Grapes to Know, t

Chris Blatner is an Executive Bourbon Steward and the creator of the popular Instagram page @‌urbanbourbonist. He appears frequently as a guest whiskey expert on podcasts and is an independent consultant for whiskey and spirits brands. Blatner presents educational whiskey segments on local television in Chicago, IL as well as national television. Blatner also serves as the Executive Director of Bourbon Charity.

Chris Cusack has worked in hospitality for over 27 years, and as an owner for 19 years. He has owned coffee shops, cocktail bars, award-winning restaurants, dive bars, sports bars, beer bars, and pizza places. Cusack has created dozens of unique cocktail menus for all occasions, comprising hundreds of original cocktails, for his own concepts and others. He is a Level 1 sommelier and Level 1 cicerone. He currently owns Betelgeuse Betelgeuse, a cocktail bar and pizza place with two locations in Houston, and an immersive artist-led gothic tiki bar called Endless Bummer.

Doreen Winkler is a natural wine sommelier, orange wine expert, and founder of Orange Glou, the world's first wine subscription service a dedicated solely to skin contact wines and Orange Glou Wine Fair, America's first fair devoted to orange wines. Named one of "America's Top Sommeliers" by Forbes, she is one of the first sommeliers to create wine lists focused on natural, organic and biodynamic wines. She's developed wine programs for Michelin-starred restaurants, bars and retailers, including at Aska and Aldea in NYC, where her program received the World of Fine Wine Best Wine List Award.

Jasper J. Mirabile Jr., acclaimed chef and author of two cookbooks, leads Jasper's Italian Restaurant in Kansas City — over seven decades after his father and grandmother founded it. Jasper studied at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and K State University, spending summers in Europe learning at prestigious cooking schools in Paris, Venice, and Milano. Beyond the kitchen, Mirabile is a prominent food media figure, hosting "Live! From Jasper's Kitchen" on KCMO Talk Radio and contributing recipes to major brands.

Jee Choe is a certified tea sommelier, certified coffee specialist, and creator of Oh, How Civilized, a site dedicated to tea and coffee. Blending expertise with creativity, she shares meticulously tested recipes, brewing techniques, and expert tips that make tea and coffee approachable for everyone. She creates simple and delicious recipes on Instagram and TikTok under @ohhowcivilized. She believes the joy of tea and coffee is in the ritual. It's her everyday luxury.

Jerrelle Guy is an author, baker, food photographer, and lifestyle writer. She holds a bachelor's from Rhode Island School of Design and a master's in Gastronomy from Boston University. Through her work—including her debut cookbook, Black Girl Baking, a James Beard nominee; her upcoming cookbook, We Fancy: Simple Recipes to Make the Everyday Special; and her newsletter, The Dinner Ritual—Guy blends design, storytelling and recipes, offering a unique take on how food can nourish both body, mind and spirit for better living. She lives in Dallas with her family.

Chef John Politte is the owner and executive chef of the YouTube channel, It's Only Food with Chef John Politte, where he shares his recipes and seasoning blends. He learned to cook from his mother, gaining essential skills and a strong foundation in the kitchen process. Transitioning into the restaurant industry at 16, he worked in various roles before becoming a Dining Services Director in the Senior Living industry. Driven by a passion for teaching, he launched his YouTube channel to empower home cooks. His success with a seasoning blend led to the creation of Chef Politte Seasonings.

Justin M. Lavenue began his bartending career in 2009 while attending the University of Colorado at Boulder. After graduating, he worked at the Bitter Bar, one of Colorado's first craft cocktail bars. In 2013, he moved back to Austin, completed the BAR 5-Day Course in New York City, and joined the opening staff at Half Step on Rainey Street. Two years later, he opened The Roosevelt Room, which has since become one of Austin's most popular bars. He continues to manage his ventures, study for his BAR Masters certification, consult on bar and restaurant projects, and write cocktail recipes.

Chef K.C. Gulbro, award-winning restaurateur and executive chef, is the creative force behind FoxFire, Johnny Fox's, and Nine Vixens in Geneva, IL. Celebrated for his bold, ingredient-driven cuisine and commitment to hospitality, K.C. blends fine-dining artistry with approachable comfort. A champion of local sourcing and allergen-free innovation, he creates inclusive dining experiences while supporting community causes—proving that great food has the power to connect and inspire.

Mathew Woodburn-Simmonds is the founder of Home Coffee Expert. A website that aims to provide its followers with the best possible information about every step of the coffee-making (and drinking) process, with gear reviews and easy-to-understand explainers on coffee brewing methods. His obsession with coffee began during his college days when he worked as a barista in 3rd wave coffee shop and extended well into his time as a restaurant manager and sommelier. He is best known for his strong opinions around social media's obsession with adding anything and everything to coffee.

Molly Horn is the Chief Mixologist and Spirits Educator for Total Wine & More, the country's largest independent wine, spirits and beer retailer. She has over a decade of expertise in developing and managing bar programs. Horn's many responsibilities at Total Wine & More include tasting and marketing new first-to-market spirits, as well as educating sales floor team members on spirits and mixology. Horn is passionate about spirits and crafting cocktails and uses her training as a Certified Sommelier to inform her tasting and reviewing process.

Nikesha Tannehill Tyson is a certified etiquette consultant, author, and senior etiquette trainer at The Swann School of Protocol Shreveport. Passionate about helping individuals present themselves polished, she empowers clients to refine their presence and social skills. With a background in corporate training and leadership, she leads engaging workshops and provides valuable advice to help others navigate social situations with confidence and grace. She is committed to upholding the timeless value of etiquette as a tool for personal and professional advancement.

Rich Parente is the chef and owner of Clock Tower Grill in Brewster, NY, where he's created a true farm-to-table dining experience — he and his wife Cassie raise their own pork and lamb for the restaurant on their nearby Clock Tower Farm, grow fruit and vegetables, produce honey and maple syrup, and more. A Hudson Valley native, Parente began his culinary journey at 13, working at a local deli. He later graduated from the Culinary Institute of America and cooked for heads of state and royalty at the United Nations.

Robbie Shoults is a true cowboy Celebrity Chef & Owner of Bear Creek Smokehouse est. in 1943, Marshall Mercantile, & High Horse 1898 in Texas. All his ventures reflect the family's roots in food, family, & faith. Whether riding a smoker to NYC for a TV show or heating a turkey in a dishwasher, he wins the hearts of Americans with his charisma and humor. He's often seen in top outlets like the TODAY show, CBS, Fox & Friends, Rachael Ray, & a five-time judge on Beat Bobby Flay, Southern Living, Martha Stewart, Taste of Home, Meat + Poultry, Southern Cast Iron, The Food Network, Yahoo! Life, etc