Bourbon Classic Brings Together the Best of the Best!
The finesse and expertise of crafting a unique cocktail or the perfect culinary dish is a passion. Bourbon Classic celebrates the up and coming, as well as the seasoned talent of the bourbon world to explore and excite your senses!
Cheers to all the Bartenders and Chefs who make each Bourbon Classic event special. Here is the list of previous Cocktail and Culinary Challenge Winners.
2025 Talent Lineup
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D.A. Bates
Bartender
Wild Turkey Visitor Center
Cocktail & Culinary Challenge -
Noam Bilitzer
Owner / Chef
MeeshMeesh Mediterranean
Cocktail & Culinary Challenge -
Robert Bleifer
Chef, Consultant, Culinary Producer
Cocktail & Culinary Challenge (Judge) -
David Blye
Bartender
Charr'd Bourbon Kitchen and Lounge
Cocktail & Culinary Challenge -
Sebastian Boynton
Executive Chef
Levy Restaurants -
Deniz Burns
Chef
The Kitchen Table
Cocktail & Culinary Challenge -
Lee Caldwell
Beverage Director
The Kitchen Table
Cocktail & Culinary Challenge -
Michael Carlton
Bartender
Repeal
Cocktail & Culinary Challenge -
Paul Clarke
Editor in Chief
Imbibe
Cocktail & Culinary Challenge (Judge) -
Matt Combs
Chef
Bluegrass Hospitality Group
Cocktail & Culinary Challenge -
Anthony Cox
Bartender
Castle & Key Distillery
Cocktail & Culinary Challenge -
Brian Downing
Bartender
The Silver Dollar
Cocktail & Culinary Challenge -
Paula Endara
Co-Executive Chef
Granddam at The Manchester Hotel
Cocktail & Culinary Challenge -
Samantha Fore
Owner-Founder
Tuk Tuk
Cocktail & Culinary Challenge (Judge) -
Matt Frank
Bartender
Seven Cocktails + Bourbon
TASTE & VIP TASTE -
Greg Galganski
Bartender
Proof on Main
Cocktail & Culinary Challenge -
Alex Green
Chef
Mileta
Cocktail & Culinary Challenge -
Joe Harper
Bartender
Charr'd Bourbon Kitchen and Lounge
VIP TASTE -
Ulises Hernandez
Chef
Repeal
Cocktail & Culinary Challenge -
Leslie Irvin
Chef
Charr'd Bourbon Kitchen and Lounge
VIP TASTE -
Seth Kinder
Executive Chef
Barn8
Cocktail & Culinary Challenge -
Kento Kobayashi
Chef
Shoku Club
Cocktail & Culinary Challenge -
Tim Lewis
Chef
Game
Cocktail & Culinary Challenge -
Chris Lower
Bartender
Bluegrass Hospitality Group
Cocktail & Culinary Challenge -
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Dallas McGarity
Corporate Executive Chef
The Fat Lamb
Cocktail & Culinary Challenge -
Newman Miller
Chef
Cocktail & Culinary Challenge -
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Barbie Mudd
Bartender
Chicken Cock Whiskey Circa 1856
Cocktail & Culinary Challenge -
Jayma Neese
Leading Bartender
Bob’s Steak and Chophouse
Cocktail & Culinary Challenge -
Fred Noe
7th Generation Master Distiller
James B. Beam Distilling Company
A Classic Dinner with
Fred & Freddie Noe
Bourbon University -
Freddie Noe
8th Generation Master Distiller
Fred B. Noe Distillery
A Classic Dinner with
Fred & Freddie Noe
Bourbon University -
Chef Irene O’Shaughnessy
Executive Pastry
Levy Restaurants -
Jon Pauly
Chef
Lou Lou Food + Drink
VIP Friday Chef -
Ming Pu
Executive Chef
Brooklyn and the Butcher
Cocktail & Culinary Challenge
Taste -
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Em Sego
Bartender
The Fat Lamb
Cocktail & Culinary Challenge -
Norma Smith
Bartender
Granddam at The Manchester Hotel
Cocktail & Culinary Challenge -
Zach Staten
Beverage Director
Barn8
Cocktail & Culinary Challenge -
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Titus Teague
Angel’s Envy Brand Ambassador
Angel’s Envy Distillery
Cocktail & Culinary Challenge -
Josh Vasko
Bartender
Bourré Bonne Steakhouse
Cocktail & Culinary Challenge -
Trey Wade
Head of Consumer Experience
Coors Spirits Co
Bourbon University -
Jaz’min Weaver
National Brand Ambassador
Bardstown Bourbon Co
Cocktail & Culinary Challenge -
Lawrence Weeks
Head Chef
North of Bourbon
Cocktail & Culinary Challenge -
Henry Wesley
Chef
Bourré Bonne Steakhouse
Cocktail & Culinary Challenge -
Dallas White
Bar Supervisor and Head of R&D
The Bar at Fort Nelson
Bourbon University -
Andrea Wilson
Master of Maturation, Chief Operating Officer
Michter's Distillery
Bourbon University -
