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ENRICO GONZATO (Italy)

Italy Barta Ambassador

Vivimiscelato | Meaningful Drinking

International experience across Europe, Asia & South America
Blending technique and storytelling to create meaningful connections

NICOLE lara (italy)

Lady Cocktail Nicole is an Italian journalist and spirits expert specializing in mixology, premium bar culture, and strategic brand positioning within the hospitality industry. Her work seamlessly bridges media, storytelling, and bar culture, offering a contemporary and sophisticated perspective on mixology trends, premium spirits, and the evolving global bar scene. With Caffo Group and Luxardo as official sponsors, Nicole successfully delivered earned media coverage and on-site storytelling, resulting in 10 published pieces along with direct brand feedback.

Bohdan Kyryliuk (ukraine)

I represent the Ukrainian company Barta Desing where I work as a Global Advocacy Manager in gastronomy I have been working for 15 years

Participant and winner of many mixology competitions, I currently live in Germany

Andrew Watson (sweden)

Andy Watson-Calderon
17 year industry veteran with a career spanning three continents. Andy is the winner of the 2022 IBA World Championship and current global ambassador to the international bartenders association and Campari group Bartender Hero Program.

evonne eadie (india)

Co-Founder, Shaker Collective

ARTEM SKAPENKO (ukraine)

FOUNDER – BARTA DESIGN
Award-winning bartender and industry innovator.
Winner of the 2015 IBA World Young Bartender Championship. Co-founder of the iconic LoggerHead Bar and BarOut media, driving global cocktail culture forward with international projects, including a new innovative bar FlipDog in London.

Černík Miroslav (Czech Republic)

From 1968 to 1974, he began his professional journey with Czech Airlines, working as a steward and gaining valuable experience in hospitality and service. In 1974, he transitioned to Hotel InterContinental Prague, where he built a remarkable career spanning nearly three decades, serving as Bar Manager and later as Food & Beverage Manager until 2001. Following this, from 2001 to 2017, he held the prestigious position of Mayordomus at the Ambassador’s Residence for the U.S. Embassy in Prague, overseeing high-level hospitality and protocol. Since 2018, he has been enjoying his well-deserved retirement.

Pravindran Palakrishnan (Malaysia)

Vin is a Malaysian beverage professional, mixologist, and industry educator with over a decade of experience in the hospitality sector. He is the Founder and President of the Mixology Alliance of M.F.B.E.A (MAM), an organization dedicated to advancing Malaysia’s bartending community and promoting professional standards in mixology. Vin is also the Managing Director of Sezty Traders, a beverage solutions company specializing in training, product development, and distribution. Passionate about innovation and mentorship, he actively develops platforms for young bartenders and represents Malaysia in international collaborations, championing Asian flavors, sustainability, and creative beverage culture on the international stage.

AIMAN HAKEEM (Malaysia)

For me for myself am passionate mixologist from Malaysia who enjoys exploring different flavors and creating balanced cocktails. My interest in mixology started from a curiosity about how simple ingredients can come together to create something memorable. I like experimenting with new ideas while still respecting classic techniques behind the bar. For me, making a cocktail is not just about the drink, but about the experience it creates for people. I’m always looking to improve my skills, learn from others in the industry, and continue growing in the craft. Participating in competitions is a great opportunity for me to challenge myself and share my creativity.”

Anastasiia Kharisova (Russia)

Bartender from Russia with over six years of experience and a strong passion for competition. I’ve competed in numerous bartending championships, including international events. Winner of the Classic Cocktail category at India Bar Show 2025. Always striving to push creativity and represent modern bartending on the international stage.

Wan Mohd Faris (malaysia)

Wan Mohd Faris, widely known as Faa, is a passionate flairtender and mixologist at WEIL Hotel, Ipoh, recognized for his creativity, precision, and dynamic flair performances behind the bar. With more than a decade of experience in the bartending industry, Faa has built a strong reputation through numerous national and international competitions.

In 2025, he earned the Silver Award in Flairtending/Mixology at Culinaire Malaysia, organized by the Food & Hotel Malaysia (FHM). His earlier achievements include Champion at the Penang Chef Challenge 2012, Stage Champion at the Malaysia Bartending Championship (Perak Selection), and 1st Runner-Up at the Penang International Salon Gastronomique.

Faa is known for combining technical bartending skills with engaging showmanship, creating cocktails that are both visually exciting and well-balanced. His dedication to innovation and hospitality continues to inspire audiences while elevating the art of modern mixology in Malaysia.

Rihder Fuentes Frometa (cuba)

​With over a decade of dedicated service in the tourism industry, Rihder Fuentes Frómeta has followed a path of constant growth, serving with commitment in roles ranging from bartender to Hotel Director. His deep passion for mixology has led him to proudly represent Cuba on international stages, such as the 2023 World Cocktail Championship in Rome and the 2017 Pan-American Championship. He also achieved the honor of becoming a National Champion that same year.
​Beyond titles, his greatest commitment lies in sharing his knowledge. As the Head of Training for the Cuban Bartenders Association and an IBA-certified trainer, Rihder focuses his efforts on the professional development of his colleagues. Today, as Chairman of the Organizing Committee for international events, he works with gratitude to strengthen the traditions of Cuban bartending and to open doors for future generations of professionals.

Fabio Di Pietro (Italy)

His technical specialization in mixology, floor service, and venue management has led him to evolve from a professional to a manager, and then from a manager to an entrepreneur. As co-founder of 5 Hats Srl, together with four other professional partners (managers and entrepreneurs from the restaurant, production, hospitality, and trade sectors), he directly oversees and manages his areas of responsibility, which include:

-Scouting, meaning the identification of companies suited for international markets (he also serves as a judge in world-class competitions such as the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles and is recognized as one of the best young tasters at an international level).
-Coordination and implementation of the agency’s commercial projects in foreign markets
-Technical support for sales force training
-Contributor as a team member for “I Maestri Raccontano..” on Italia a Tavola Mag

His activities provide strong support to territories, producers, and consortia in the food & beverage sector that aim to expand their business and grow their brand. Problem solving, humanistic thinking, innovation, research, and lateral thinking are the core values that, through 5 Hats, he and his team aim to promote and disseminate.

ANDREA PILOTTI (italy)

At 5 Hats, the company he co-founded, he has the opportunity to leverage his experience to help position the agency as a commercial and promotional benchmark in the food, wine, and tourism sectors.

Specifically, he is directly responsible for marketing projects, which he then implements with international players in order to promote and commercialize food & beverage products and companies worldwide. In developing these projects, he employs various types of marketing, including Trade Marketing, Strategic Marketing, and others, selecting the most suitable approach for each situation. He firmly believes that the use of different business models enables a wider range of solutions.

Over the years, he has developed a manual called F.I.C.O. for staff training and management, designed to build a qualified and cohesive team. The format incorporates various techniques that enhance self-awareness and understanding of others, helping to create strong relationships and guide teams toward achieving any goal in a creative and accessible way. This manual serves as the foundation for all corporate training modules, including those dedicated to sales teams.

Thanks to an extensive network of external collaborators, he is involved in creating and managing macro systems—such as territorial, cultural, and tourism promotion frameworks—and in developing projects that require complex management processes, with the aim of generating value across the various interconnected sectors of the food and wine industry. He also contributes to the creation of specialized editorial content focused on mentoring companies in the sector, fully aware of the importance of supporting entrepreneurs in such a complex period as the present.

The team’s greatest passion is the creation and execution of events, whether promotional or glamorous, as they represent the strongest expression of the 5 Hats team’s skills.

‘Wishka’ Russell Davis (USA)

Wishka (Russell Davis) is an award-winning mixologist, entrepreneur, and cultural ambassador known for bridging modern cocktail craft with ancestral wisdom. Named Nightclub & Bar’s 2012 Bartender of the Year and part of the 2011 Spirited Award–winning team, he rose to prominence as a bar expert on Bar Rescue and later as a producer and creative force behind Netflix’s Drink Masters. He also played a key role in building Shaker & Spoon, one of the leading cocktail subscription platforms.

Today, Wishka has evolved beyond traditional mixology, championing an intentional, holistic approach to beverages rooted in indigenous knowledge and global traditions. Through his work with indigenous communities and the Eagle and Condor Prophecy, he integrates spirituality, sustainability, and cultural respect into hospitality. As the founder of Wishka.org, he leads immersive experiences, consulting projects, and educational initiatives that position the bartender as a guide, storyteller, and steward of both craft and consciousness

Maran Nadeson (Malaysia)

Building Delegates, Mixology Alliance of Malaysia

Andrew Korolev (Russia)

I am bartender from Russia and participant of many competitions around the world. I do really love my job and believe that hard work, practicing, learning new technics and being in touch with bartenders all over the world can make our bartending way exciteful and full of unforgettable moments.

During my bartending career I had some interesting collaborations with different bars and some companies. I competed in many contests including IBA WCC in flairbartending and classic categories. Now I am an onwer of a bar catering company, which provides such services as classic and molecular cocktail bars, bartending show, guest-shifts and more.

Nabin Dhami (Nepal)

I am Nabin Dhami, a professional flair bartender and instructor from Nepal with over five years of experience in mixology and performance bartending. I am passionate about combining creativity, precision, and showmanship, making every cocktail not just a drink but an experience. Over the years, I have participated in numerous local and international competitions, proudly representing Nepal and showcasing the art of flair bartending to the world.


Beyond performing, I love mentoring aspiring bartenders and sharing my knowledge to help grow the flair bartending community in Nepal. I always strive to blend innovation with tradition, turning every service into an engaging and memorable performance. My goal is to elevate Nepalese flair bartending on the global stage and inspire others to pursue excellence in both technique and creativity. For me, every cocktail, every move, and every performance is an opportunity to entertain, inspire, and leave a lasting impression.

Felipe Castro C (USA)

Felipe is a Chilean bartender with more than 20 years of hospitality experience from Patagonia to Alaska. As an active member of the United
States Bartenders Association (USBG), he is the most achieved IBA classic category competitor of the American association. He has also organized, sponsored, judge and collaborate in many competitions worldwide. Felipe emphasizes education and training through his “ArtTending” brand, offering masterclasses and training nationally and
internationally and having trained and coached hundreds of professionals worldwide. He is also a Professionally trained Educator, a Certified IBA Trainer, an FBA Ambassador and a WSET Certified spirit professional. Some of his Accolades and awards include:

Judge of the European Cocktail Championship (Cyprus, 26)
Lotus Prestige Cup World Champion (Macau, China 25)
Best IBA Pan-American Technique (Panama, 24)
USA National Champion (USA, 23)
5 times National finalist (USA 21-25)
5th Long drink Category (WCC Rome, Italy 23)
Top 20 FBA World Ranking (25)

Tigran Avetisyan (Republic of Armenia)

I am Tigran Avetisyan, founder and president of the Armenian Bartenders’ Association (member of IBA since 2005), founder of Bar Academy Armenia Service School, Shake & Smile Bar and Cocktail Catering (Armenia & USA), and Pineapple Bartenders’ Fashion (production of bartenders’ aprons and bar tools). Since 1998, I have dedicated my professional life to the development of the bartending business in Armenia. I am also the owner of Bar Phoenix, The Bird Cage Bar and the Mov Restaurant.

Armen Halivoryan (Republic of Armenia)

I am Armen Halivoryan, and I have been working as a bartender for over four years. For me, this path is not just a job, but a form of creative expression. I graduated from the Armenian Bartenders’ Academy, where I developed my approach to combining flavors, aromas, and emotions.
For me, every cocktail is a small story, born in the moment and carrying a certain mood. Beyond bartending, I have a deep love for football, which gives me energy and movement. At the same time, I write short stories, trying to express my inner world, feelings, and thoughts. My writing often carries philosophical and psychological layers, because I believe that, above all, a person is a story of their own emotions.

ALEKSANDR POZDNIAKOV (Russia)

Vice-President of the Russian Bartending Association for HoReCa.
The representative of B.A.R. in the city of Lipetsk.
Judge of numerous WCC competitions in the “Best Professional” nomination.
The restaurateur
Co-author of the book Alcohol Management in a Restaurant and the Textbook of the Bartender.

HUY-PHILIP TRINH QUAN (USA)

Trinh Quan Huy-Philip is a food and beverage leader for over 20 years in the hospitality industry. He travelled across Asia to Europe and currently base in the United States. With a strong background in banquet operations and beverage program development, he focuses on optimizing performance through menu engineering, workflow efficiency, and guest-centered innovation.

As a Task Force leader, he has travelled and worked across multiple properties in the US, quickly identifying operational gaps and implementing solutions that improve both profitability and service quality.

His approach combines operational discipline with creative beverage strategy from scalable cocktail programs to elevated banquet experiences. Competing in the Golden Peacock Cup 2026 in New Delhi provides an opportunity to challenge himself and contribute to the broader cocktail community.

Che-Cheng Chang (Taiwan)

My name is Simon, and I am from Taiwan. I have five years of experience in the bartending industry, with solid professional knowledge and hands-on skills. Throughout my career, I have continuously refined my techniques and creativity, actively participating in various cocktail competitions every year. These experiences have strengthened my performance under pressure and enhanced my competitive edge. I am committed to delivering high-quality cocktail creations.Thank you!

Prerana Rawat (India)

I’m Prerana, a dedicated and motivated professional with a passion for hospitality and creating great guest experiences.