The Industry The Industry

This weeks guest is Christen LaRochelle. A professional booze hustler for over 20 years, Christen started working in the restaurant and hospitality industry at 13 years old and segued those skills into a career in the wine and spirits supply and distribution world. Today, you'll find Christen managing a portfolio of fine wine and craft spirits in the Northeast and regularly leading educational events for consumers and trade partners alike.

In her spare time, Christen is attempting to validate the money she spent on her journalism degree by producing and hosting a wine and spirits podcast, called The Booze Hustle where she has interviewed guests like actor John Malkovich, bartending legend Dale Degroff and winemakers like Master of Wine, Nova Cadamatre.

Christen has advanced certifications in wine (WSET 3) and is in the process of obtaining her advanced spirits certification.

Links

The Booze Hustle - Apple Podcasts
The Booze Hustle - Spotify
@theboozehustle

@sugarrunbar
@babylonsistersbar
@the_industry_podcast
email us: info@theindustrypodcast.club
Podcast Artwork by Zak Hannah
zakhannah.co

This weeks guest is Mike Derry. Mike currently splits his time between Cartagena Colombia and New York City. Originally from Penticton in British Columbia, Canada, Mike waited tables and bartended through college. Mike has spent his working life in various careers - teacher, commercial production in Los Angeles, legal recruiter in NYC until he came back to his dream - bar life! Mike opened his first bar in NYC in 2013 and sold it several years later in 2018.

Eventually, Mike opened his next bar in Cartagena Colombia after travelling there for a vacation. Mondo Exotica opened 6 weeks before the pandemic and then immediately shut down for 8 months due to pandemic restrictions. The bar survived the pandemic and is now thriving. Currently, Mike is looking for a new space in NYC.

Links

@mondoctg

@sugarrunbar
@babylonsistersbar
@the_industry_podcast
email us: info@theindustrypodcast.club
Podcast Artwork by Zak Hannah
zakhannah.co

This weeks guest is Michael Anderson. Currently, Michael is a Sommelier, Restaurant Manager and Restaurant Director at the Elora Mill located in Elora, Ontario. Michael got his start in the industry over two decades ago while he was earning his diploma in Recreation and Leisure Services. Michael worked at various independent and family restaurants as a server, bartender and manager. Eventually, Michael earned his Sommelier certification from CMS and CAPS in 2010. From there Michael worked as a Sommelier at various fine dining establishments and eventually became a wine agent for Nicholas Pearce Wines. During this time frame, Michael also started working for the Cambridge Mill which is part of the Pearle Hospitality Group and this led to where he is today at the Elora Mill.

Links

@sugarrunbar
@babylonsistersbar
@the_industry_podcast
email us: info@theindustrypodcast.club
Podcast Artwork by Zak Hannah zakhannah.co

Ben Kingstone is a hospitality professional with a passion for creating exceptional guest experiences. Ben entered the industry to pursue a career that feeds his drive for knowledge and excitement. With expertise in crafting unique and innovative cocktails, Ben was a finalist for Diageo World Class in 2023.

With experience in roles such as Beverage Director & Director of Operations, Ben has curated and managed beverage programs for a range of venues, including a 400-room hotel and some of Canada’s top restaurants and bars.

Ben's ability to curate excellent beverage programs, leverage beverage partnerships and manage large teams has contributed to his success and reputation for in the industry. With experience and passion like Ben’s it’s no surprise that he’s also been nominated this year for Forbes Top 30 Under 30. Ben is also set to release a bar book later this year, showcasing his knowledge and love of this industry and all its many facets. Ben believes educating the next generation of hospitality workers is critical and his commitment and passion for this is evident in the video series Beyond The Bar with NOW Magazine & his upcoming book release.

Links

@kingcoctions

@sugarrunbar
@babylonsistersbar
@the_industry_podcast
email us: info@theindustrypodcast.club
Podcast Artwork by Zak Hannah zakhannah.co

This week we are joined by Sidney Kendall who currently resides in Phoenix, Arizona. Kendall has been in the Industry since she was 15 and has worked her way through fast food, casual and fine dining restaurants; sports and dive bars and cocktail lounges.

Kendall has moved extensively in her life as she has lived in California, Illinois, Nebraska and now lives in Arizona. Currently, Kendall is the Beverage Director for TruColor Concepts in Phoenix. Kendall oversees the bar program for the Sip & Coffee locations, 36 Below and The Rose Garden. Kendall works with a terrific team that allows her a lot of creative freedom and continues to push her out of her comfort zone.

Kendall also teaches Meditation and Breathwork with Intuitive readings. Kendall has managed to find a beautiful balance to do both passions and is excited to see where these opportunities take her!

Links

@kendallkocktails
@thecatalystexperience

@sugarrunbar
@babylonsistersbar
@the_industry_podcast
email us: info@theindustrypodcast.club
Podcast Artwork by Zak Hannah zakhannah.co

This weeks guest is Hugo Gamino who is currently a writer and food content creator. A classically trained chef, Hugo spent over ten years in the professional kitchens of multiple brigades across the United States where he held various positions such as sous chef, chef de cuisine, executive chef, and some stages at Michelin starred kitchens.

Hugo then made a transition into the fashion industry, attending fashion design school and working for brands like Brooks Brothers, and TOM FORD.

Hugo would ultimately make his way back to the hospitality industry, working for the Chicago Cubs baseball organization as Director of Operations Premium where he was tasked in creating and developing restaurant concepts, hospitality programming menu development.

Hugo now resides in Phoenix Arizona with his wife and two boys and is in the process of developing his short story cookbook of the industry.

Links

@hugo_gamino
@hugoscookbooktolife

@sugarrunbar
@babylonsistersbar
@the_industry_podcast
email us: info@theindustrypodcast.club
Podcast Artwork by Zak Hannah zakhannah.co