April 2023 Member Spotlight

By Ayon Banerjee posted 15 days ago

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We're excited to welcome new members to the Guild this year inside our New Member Spotlight segment! We asked them to share a little bit about themselves, including what they enjoy most about working inside the hospitality industry.

@Annie Graham | USBG SEATTLE

Where do you work? Fairmont Hotel - Founders Club

What is your favorite local bar or restaurant? Musang

What hobby do you enjoy so much that it makes you lose track of time?

Reading cocktail books... predictable...

What do you enjoy most about being in the hospitality industry?

I enjoy the chance to meet new people and connect over issues serious, silly, or otherwise absurd.

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@Sara Lehman | USBG NASHVILLE

Where do you work? Owner at Somm In The City

What is your favorite local bar or restaurant? Cork & Cow

What hobby do you enjoy so much that it makes you lose track of time?

Cooking, before I became a Sommelier and event planner I was a pastry chef and private chef for many years. I also enjoy photography as well as creating new recipes.

What do you enjoy most about being in the hospitality industry?

I love people and connecting with them. I love changing their mind about wines and helping them embrace new pairing ideas. I love working with people and making people happy.
I also love the fast paced lifestyle, and the different people you always get to meet.

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@Erin Nolan | USBG PALM BEACH

Where do you work? BarVision

What is your favorite local bar or restaurant? Jupiter Grill !

What hobby do you enjoy so much that it makes you lose track of time? There are a few! Golf, tennis, fishing, riding my horse..

What do you enjoy most about being in the hospitality industry?
Being able to connect with people over the 2 best things, food and drink.

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@Lorenzo Porto | USBG DC

Where do you work? Susheria DC and El Secreto De Rosita

What is your favorite local bar or restaurant?

Silver Lyan in DC, Double Chicken Please in New York

What hobby do you enjoy so much that it makes you lose track of time?

I usually lose track of time when I'm prepping and experimenting with new drinks and flavors. Is too much saying that working is an hobby? Otherwise playing soccer and tennis can make me totally lose track of time, I could play for hours!

What do you enjoy most about being in the hospitality industry? Meeting

The relationship with people. The amount of friends and network you can create behind a bar and bring with you in your everyday life is incredible! And the gratification of seeing the smile on your guests faces can be the best reward ever.

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@Uttam Tambar | USBG DALLAS

Where do you work? UT Southwestern Medical Center

What is your favorite local bar or restaurant? It used to be Atwater Alley

What hobby do you enjoy so much that it makes you lose track of time?

I am a chemistry professor by day. I would love to use my knowledge of science to create my own whiskey or rum. I enjoy learning about the distillation process. If anyone in the USBG community has any resources on creating new spirits, please share so I can learn more.

What do you enjoy most about being in the hospitality industry?

I enjoy meeting people new people and interacting with them. That is the most fun part of the work.

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@Steven Vardaman | USBG OKLAHOMA CITY

	Where do you work? Tinker Air Force base What is your favorite local bar or restaurant? Bar, lunar lounge/barkeep What hobby do you enjoy so much that it makes you lose track of time? Bowling and baseball games What do you enjoy most about being in the hospitality industry? Getting to meet all the new people with similar interests

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@Rafael Villa | USBG BOISE

Where do you work? Liquid lounge

What is your favorite local bar or restaurant? PROST!

What hobby do you enjoy so much that it makes you lose track of time?
I really enjoy workout out, snow boarding, and playing video games.

What do you enjoy most about being in the hospitality industry?

I manage/bartend at a speed bar and even after the busiest crazy shifts. I still have that enjoyment that in all of these peoples days, I had a part to play in making it better and more fun.

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@Aerion Ward | USBG: MEMBER AT LARGE

Where do you work? Thompson Buckhead

What is your favorite local bar or restaurant? Ocean & Acre

What hobby do you enjoy so much that it makes you lose track of time? Tennis

What do you enjoy most about being in the hospitality industry?

The camaraderie amongst bar professionals and great guests

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@Paris Wolfe | USBG CLEVELAND

Where do you work? Cleveland.com/The Plain Dealer

What is your favorite local bar or restaurant? Amba

What hobby do you enjoy so much that it makes you lose track of time?

Cooking

What do you enjoy most about being in the hospitality industry?

I write about food, dining, spirits, cocktails as well as life and culture. I love constantly learning and meeting people. I'm always open to new story ideas.

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April 2023 Member Spotlight

By Ayon Banerjee posted 15 days ago

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