Violette Alaouze, Lunitas Mexican Eatery
Violette is a server, bartender and the Front of House/Bar Manager for a busy, upbeat Mexican restaurant set on the waterfront in Gibsons, on the Sunshine Coast. Violette loves to make cocktails with a focus on fresh local ingredients. In her spare time, you will find Violette in the forest or on the beach with her dog.
Amber Bruce, Keefer Bar
Senior Bartender at Keefer Bar. Former Bar Manager at Cuchillo Restaurant. Winner Absolut Big White Bartending Competition 2015. Regional finalist Diageo World Class Bartender of the Year Competition 2015.
Gregory Dechant, Sovereign
With 4 years in the wine and spirits industry, Gregory joined the Sovereign Canada team a year and a half ago. Sovereign focuses on more than just importing exceptional spirits to Canada; they also foster knowledge and innovation by hosting Spirits Sessions and Spirited Seminars. Giving back to the community is a core principle of Sovereign Spirits and Gregory is proud to help with that goal by participating in events like Science of Cocktails.
Cassandra Dent, Glowbal
With 7 years experience and a love of the industry and events like this, when not serving up cocktails, Cassandra can be found with her pug or on the beach.
Jeff Hodges, Tableau French Bar Bistro
Working closely with Shane Clarke to help open Clarke and Co. in Victoria, Jeff is thirsty to learn and taste new flavours, styles and techniques of the cocktail industry. Jeff hopes to continue to develop his skills as he transitions to the cocktail game in NYC.
Rob Hoover, The Union
Rob has been bartending in Vancouver since 2013, and is currently Bar Manager at The Union, in Vancouver.
Trevor Kallies, Bar & Beverage Director for the Donnelly Group
Since 2010, Trevor has been at the helm of the Bar & Beverage program at the Donnelly Group, overseeing the menus and profitability of 14 locations around Vancouver for beer, wine and cocktails. He has pioneered one of the strongest craft beer programs in Canada, created award winning cocktail lists and has been responsible for implementing company-wide training programs on service, product knowledge and cost of sales. Trevor has competed in and won multiple cocktail and drink competitions around the world including Craft of Cointreau, the Appleton Rum cocktail competition and the G’Vine Le GCP cocktail competition. In 2009, Trevor became a founding member of The Canadian Professional Bartender’s Association (CPBA). In 2011 Trevor became part of the Cocktail Apprentice Program (CAP) at the infamous Tales of the Cocktail in their first ever Tales on Tour in Vancouver. He has since been promoted to CAP Manager at the annual Tales of the Cocktail in New Orleans, where he helps manage a team of 60 global bartenders. In 2013, Trevor was elected the President of the BC Chapter of the CPBA and maintains that role today. Trevor has worked with Science of Cocktails as part of the organizational committee since its inception in 2016.
Martin Kovalcik, Bar Manager, GLOWBAL
Martin is a bar manager, bartender and sommelier, with a Master’s in hospitality management.
Wyeth Maiers, Head Bartender for UVA Cocktail and Wine Bar & Cibo Trattoria
Wyeth Maiers adds a certain charm to the already very impressive team at Cibo Trattoria and UVA Wine and Cocktail Bar. He has a clear passion for hospitality beginning as a bar back at the Rouge restaurant in Gastown. From there he instantaneously fell in love with working behind the bar. His enthusiasm was quickly recognized by the Distillery Bar in Yaletown and was offered to begin his bartending career just over six years ago. Since then, he has had the opportunity to work with many talented bartenders in Vancouver. Throughout his experience, he has developed valuable knowledge that has driven him to expand his bartending career to the next level. Now currently the bar manager at Uva Wine and Cocktail Bar, where his passion has only become stronger. Wyeth has always admired others creativity in designing unique cocktails and grew passionately for creating his own. He frequently looks for new opportunities to expand his knowledge in the art of mixology and encourage other passionate individuals to develop their skill set as well. While enjoying participating in cocktail tours around Vancouver, as well as seeing new talent that inspire his imagination for new ideas. He hopes to continue to grow and develop further knowledge and extensive skills in order to advance his career and enjoy his passion for mixology.
Mackenzie Ouellette, King Eddy
Mackenzie loves to create new experiences for her guests. Fueled by a passion for cocktails and personal interactions, her background as the Food and Beverage Manager for the Charcut Roast House is now the Assistant General Manager at the King Eddy which is attached to the National Music Centre, in Calgary.
Dylan Riches, Brix & Mortar
Dylan has been bartending in Vancouver for 5 years. He was part of Team Taco 2019, and is currently getting ready to move to Hong Kong.
Souhail Rostainajad, Coquille Fine Seafood
Souhail is new to the Vancouver bar scene. Souhail loves to create new cocktails using homemade bitters, syrups and liqueurs and loves to play on cocktail classics.
Jon Smolensky
Jonathan has been part of the hospitality community since 2003. Starting as a sales director for a BC winery and then as a bartender/sommelier in fine dining, it wasn’t long before Jonathan went from drinking wines to making syrups out of them for cocktails. In 2011, Jonathan turned his attention fully to Sovereign Wine and Spirits, a liquor agency that he created that is geared towards Canada’s hospitality sector. Jonathan is also the Corporate Liaison for the Canadian Professional Bartenders Association, helping to connect brands with bartenders.
Dylan Williams, Westin Bayshore
Dylan has been bartending for 8 years. Starting in his hometown of Regina, Dylan now calls the competitive market of Vancouver, home.
Carolyn Yu, Gotham Steakhouse & Cocktail Bar
Carolyn can be found behind the wood at Gotham Steakhouse & Cocktail Bar and is the Communications Director of the Canadian Professional Bartenders Association. She is obsessed with finding another cat to adopt and loves telling inappropriate jokes.
Cass Dent, The Boathouse
I have been in the bartending/hospitality industry for 10 years. I love that this industry allows for you to make real connections with people while getting to express your creativity by exploring new spirits and ingredients to create something new. This will be my second year working with science of cocktails and after a great first experience I couldn’t be more excited to come back and be a part of this event again.
Chantelle Gabino, Empress 1908 Gin; The Drake Hotel
Colin MacDougall, J.P. Wiser's & Hiram Walker Distillery
Corbin Martin, Open Outcry; Brandis
David Lee, Jam Cafe; Cocktail Stories YVR
Dylan Zrobek, The Keefer Bar
Fraser Crawford, Hawksworth Restaurant
James Bailey, Proximo Ambassador
Jason Cheung, UVA Wine & Cocktail Bar
Joe Casson, Bearfoot Bistro
Josh Nidzgorski, Hawksworth Cocktail Bar
Justin Mosca, Earls
Kellan Roman-Barnes, Joe Fortes
Mavi Lê, Ventura Room
Michelle Medwin, Barrique
Morgane Lefort, UVA Wine and Cocktail Bar
PJ Cavanagh, The Diamond Restaurant
Rob Williams, Q Bar Manager
Royston Greatorex, Sai Woo
Sara Dikosavljevic, Blackbird/Clough Club
Spencer Monkman, Palermos