Chef Ryan Ratino is the Executive Chef and owner of four-starred MICHELIN concepts - One MICHELIN-starred Bresca, Two MICHELIN-starred JONT, One MICHELIN-starred MAASS at and One MICHELIN-starred OMO. He is also the recipient of the MICHELIN Guide 2023 Young Chef Award for D.C. at 33 years of age, he is one of the chefs in America to hold a two-starred MICHELIN restaurant and two MICHELIN-starred concepts under the same roof.

Chef Tung Phan is a MICHELIN-starred chef celebrated for his modern take on Vietnamese Cuisine, blending deep-rooted tradition with contemporary fine dining. Born in Vietnam and raised in Iowa, he moved to Florida at the age of eight. His culinary journey began early - at just 15, he stepped into a professional kitchen and never looked back.

Melissa Kelly, Executive Chef and owner of Primo in mid-coast Maine, is a two-time James Beard winner for Best Chef Northeast (1999 & 2013). Raised on Long Island and inspired by her Italian heritage, she developed a passion for Mediterranean flavors at an early age. A top graduate of The Culinary Institute of America, she earned the Richard T. Keating Award for academic excellence before launching her culinary career at the Greenbrier in West Virginia.

Chef John Tesar's culinary career spans over four decades, with a footprint across the Southwest and both coasts. In 2022, he earned a MICHELIN star for his work at Knife & Spoon at The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes. Known for his classically trained approach to seafood and steakhouse cuisine, Tesar has established a reputation for reinventing the steakhouse experience.

Chef Stéphane Chéramy is the current President of Club Coupe du Monde Team USA. As President, Chef Chéramy is dedicated to mentoring and supporting leading American pastry chefs as they prepare to compete at the biennial Coupe du Monde de la Patisserie in Lyon, France.

A culinary artist whose mastery transcends the ordinary. Victor's skills have been recognized globally, with accolades such as Best in Ice Sculpting and notable rankings in the Coupe du Monde de La Patisserie. As he prepares for the 2026 Cultural Winter Olympics in Italy, his work continues to embody a fusion of tradition and innovation.

Paul Hobbs is a world-renowned winemaker. In 2013, Forbes Magazine referred to Hobbs as “The Steve Jobs of Wine." He has been twice named “Wine Personality of the Year” by Robert Parker of The Wine Advocate. Over his 40+ year career, Hobbs has received more than 15 100-point scores across his portofolio - a rare feat that places him in the top echelon of the world's winemakers.

With over 20 years of experience in marketing and sales within the wine & spirits industry, Norie is recognized as a specialist in the category. Her passion for wine has led her to become a certified wine instructor, executive wine sommelier and wine & food pairings expert by the International Wine Guild. She has also completed the Sommelier Course and Examination by the Court of Master Sommeliers.