THOMAS MIZUNO-MOORE
Senior Beverage Manager , ABA / Lettuce Entertain You
First industry job : Sunsinger wine cafe Favorite drink : Amaro or whiskey Old Fashioned
Moore has 20 years experience in the hospitality industry , including the last four as senior beverage manager at Lettuce Entertain You , overseeing 15 restaurants with 12 different bar programs .
He created a “ Cocktail College ” program to educate bartenders and managers , improving standards for cocktail quality throughout the company . And he ’ s shared his expertise at industry events , speaking about mentoring and guiding emerging talent in the mixology industry , and judging cocktail competitions .
He ’ s recently focused on low- and no-alcohol menu elections to create satisfying alternatives to cocktails and reduce the stigma around non-alcoholic choices .
“ The beverage industry should be inclusive by elevating the art of mixology for everyone ,” he says , “ and making sure guests who opt for no- or low-alcohol options can enjoy a taste experience that ’ s just as deserving of recognition and celebration .”
Moore hopes to continue growing within the hospitality industry as his career progresses .
“ I want to be part of opening new concepts and making sure the menus create enough revenue to support the growth and development of our teams ,” he says . “ Creatively , I want to continue to learn and taste new things , travel to new places and cultivate the people on our teams .”
YASAR CHAUDHARY
Founder / CEO , LA Vodka
First industry job : Family ’ s convenience store Favorite drink : Espresso Martini
Serial entrepreneur Yasar Chaudhary and his co-founders launched LA Vodka in late 2022 and quickly expanded into new markets .
“ Witnessing the evolving consumer preferences and the opportunity to contribute something new and exciting to the field motivated me to step into the world of beverages ,” he says . “ The industry captivated me due to its vast market reach and the impact on people ’ s lives . That was truly compelling .”
TITO PIN PEREZ
Creative Director , Rayo
First industry job : Black Ant NYC Favorite drink : Old Fashioned
Once Tito Pin Perez discovered the magic of hospitality , he knew he wanted to dedicate his life to serving others and creating unforgettable moments . He continues to do this through his own industry ventures Bar Conscience , a hospitality brand specializing in elevated cocktail experiences and consulting , as well as Hanger 28 , an ice production and event space company created for the hotel industry .
“ This year , we ’ ve also been traveling to different bars around the world to showcase our techniques and methods through industry-focused masterclasses ,” says Perez . “ The feedback from bartenders has been incredible . I feel honored to be able to impact so many bartenders in this way and share what I know so that they can change and develop the industry , as well .”
Perez sets himself up for success by constantly investing in himself , either through programming , financial or fitness courses . “ The more I know and the more discipline I have , the more valuable I am to my future investors ,” he says .
Hoping to inspire others in the beverage industry , Perez says he plans to use his platforms to keep giving innovative and inspiring masterclasses to all who are interested .
“ I ' ll also open innovative bars and restaurants that will offer great work-life balance to the industry ,” Perez notes .
Launching the brand is the latest step on a journey that began as a kid working at his late father ’ s convenience store in Massachusetts .
“ That was a special chapter in my life ,” he says . “ The jingle of the door and smell of fresh coffee marked the start of each day . Dad taught me the ropes , from stocking shelves to serving customers with a smile . It wasn ’ t just a job , it was a shared adventure that brought us closer . I learned about hard work , responsibility and the joy of being part of a family business .”
Chaudhary would encourage all young professionals to dive into the beverage industry like he did . “ It can be an incredibly rewarding choice ,” he says . “ It ’ s a vibrant field that ’ s always evolving , offering endless room for creativity and innovation . You ’ ll get to explore different cultures and markets , broadening your horizons . It ’ s an exciting and dynamic path that ’ s full of possibilities !”
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