Early Bird Ends
January 31, 2025
Judging
Date
May 19, 2025
Winners Announcement
June 10, 2025
The Judges
Jill Zimorski MS,,DipWSET
Master Sommelier and Adjunct Professor, DePaul University
Jesse Becker MS
Master Sommelier at Veritable Wines & Estates KG, Chicago
Wayne Belding MS
Master Sommelier and Partner at Preferabli, Colorado
Ira Harmon MS
Master Sommelier and Fine Wine Specialist at Vin Sauvage, Las Vegas, NV
Morgan Harris MS
Master Sommelier and Head Sommelier at Saison Hospitality, San Francisco
Kyungmoon Kim MS
Master Sommelier
Brian Koziol MS
Master Sommelier and Complex Director Food & Beveragen Stella Nova & Terra Luna Resorts, Florida
Peter Granoff MS
Master Sommelier, Wine Educator, Speaker, Entrepreneur, San Francisco
Paul Baldi
Sommelier at Quince, San Francisco
Pablo Braida, MS
Master Sommelier
Miranda Breedlove
National Director of Bars and Wine Programs at Hyatt Lifestyle Operations
Jeremy Broto-Mur MS
Master Sommelier
Larissa C Dubose
National Director Beverages- Dining Division at Paradies Lagardère and Wine Enthusiast Magazine Future 40, Vino Volo National Buyer
Matthew Citriglia
Matthew Citriglia FKA MS (Master Sommelier) and Director of Education at Southern Glazer Wine and Spirits
Cassandra E. Sakai
Corporate Director of Beverage Operations, Gibsons Restaurant Group
Mark Gallagher
Experienced Sommelier and Mixologist
Jared Givens
Director of Restaurants, Bars and Events for the Thompson Dallas, Hyatt Hotels
Chris Hackett
Sales Manager and Warehouse Manager at Lionstone New York
Kat Hawkins
Wine Director at Miru, Tre Dita, and the St. Regis Bar, St. Regis, Chicago
Lawrence Kobesky
Lawrence Kobesky, FullG Capital, Chicago
David Kohl
Vice President Portfolio Manager, Chateau & Estates Wine Imports LLC
Kasia Kutryba
Wine Consultant at Binny's Beverage Depot
Élyse Lambert, MS
Master Sommelier and Fifth Position Best Sommelier of the World 2016
Jane Lopes
Sommelier, Educator, and Author • Co-Founder Legend Imports
Rachel Lowe
Director of Beverage for Levy Restaurants.
John Maraffa
Corporate Beverage Manager, Morton's The Steakhouse | Morton's Grille
Michael Marsico
Sr Director Ops Services and Beverage
Michael Mighetto Hoefling
Client Advisor at Vinfolio
Will Parsons
Vice President, Global Portfolio Manager at Parsons Fine Imports, Columbus, Indiana
Jelena Prodan
Sommelier & Beverage Director for SMG Restaurants
Marc R. Kauffman
Noted Celebrity Sommelier, CS, CSW
Sandra Gomes Rocha
CEO and Co-Founder of Diniz Cellars
Jonathan Ross MS
Master Sommelier, Author and Partner at Legend Australian Wine Imports
Chris Saraiva
Co-Founder at Brands of Portugal
Lee Schlesinger, MBA, DipWSET
Vice President, Portfolio Management & Education at Winesellers Ltd
Charles Schneider
GM, Wine Director at Webster Wine Bar, Chicago
Lisa Selman CSS
Director of Beverage for the Alchemy Room, Breakthru Beverage
Christian Shaum
Lead Sommelier at Bazaar Meat, Chicago
Paul Solomon
Director of Operations for Vistro Prime and Petite Vie
Jared Sowinski
Director of Beverage at Upward Projects Restaurant Group | Postino WineCafe | Joyride Taco House | Windsor | Federal Pizza
Brandon Tebbe MS
Master Sommelier, SWE ISG Certified Sommelier Certified Sherry Wine Expert and Ten Five Hospitality
Joseph V. Micallef
Journalist and commentator at Forbes
Jeff Van Ham
Sommelier, Lettuce Entertain You Restaurants, Chicago