Personalities
Ralph Brennan | President
Ralph Brennan Restaurant Group Wine Spectator “Grand Award” and James Beard Award Finalist “Outstanding Restaurant”
Jenn Crovato | Proprietor + Chef 1310 Kitchen & Bar
Braithe Gill | Beverage Director Ralph Brennan Restaurant Group | Wine Spectator “Grand Award”
Glenn May | Head Baker, Bluepoint Hospitality
Christian Pendleton | General Manager, Brennan’s, Ambassador with Confrérie du Sabre d’Or
Sam Bortugno | Advanced Sommelier + Master Sommelier Candidate [completed theory exam and to participate in the two remaining parts in 2025] Brennan’s
Gina Chersevani | Proprietor Buffalo & Bergen, Suburbia, and Last Call Bar, Winner of Food Network’s “Guy’s Grocery Games”
David Guas | Chef-Owner
Bayou Bakery, Coffee Bar, & Eatery and Neutral Ground Bar + Kitchen, James Beard Award Cookbook Finalist, Host of Travel Channel Series “American Grilled”
Steve McHugh | Chef-Owner - Cured, Six Time Jame Beard Award Finalist “Best Chef: Texas”
Todd Thrasher | Owner, Thrasher’s Rum - Potomac Distilling Co. + Tiki TNT | Esquire Magazine “Best Bars in America”
Bernard Carmouche | Executive Chef, Cafe NOMA
Kathy Roth Douquet | CEO + Founder Blue Star Families - one of the nation's largest non-profits supporting military families. Author, commentator, strategist, and attorney.
Vince Hayward | CEO L.H. Hayward & Co. - Camellia Brand Beans, “Bryan Klotz Award for Outstanding Philanthropy” from the Louisiana Hospitality Foundation
Harley Peet | Executive Chef, Bluepoint Hospitality, James Beard Award “Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic” 2024 - Bas Rouge restaurant
Jamie Warrick | Chef, Camellia Beans + Gulf Coast Blenders