The Spirits Business Podcast

Spend just a few minutes in the company of Ilaria Carone and it’s hard to believe that someone so vivacious and chatty moved from Italy to London a short seven years ago speaking next to no English. Armed with as much experience as she could gather in her home country, Ilaria headed to London to pursue her dream hospitality career. Not afraid to rise to the challenge, she secured her first position a few days in at a private members’ club – and her success has only grown from there. Having worked for some of the most well-respected, high-end venues in London – including prestigious members’ club Annabel’s – Ilaria has a wealth of experience in creating tailored drinking experiences for her guests. Today, she is the UK brand ambassador for Four Roses Bourbon, and in this week’s episode, Ilaria tells us about her hospitality journey, why she is constantly seeking new challenges, opportunities and educational experiences, and also about her love of whiskey. Keep up to date with the latest spirits and cocktail news from The Spirits Business here: https://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/ Follow along on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spiritsbusiness/ Keep updated on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/spirits-business/ Follow along on X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/spiritsbusiness Find us on Threads: https://www.threads.net/@spiritsbusiness Take a look at our videos on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TheSpiritsBusinessMagazine The Spirits Business Podcast is hosted by Melita Kiely, editor-in-chief of The Spirits Business. This podcast episode was edited by Matchbox Motion. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Bartender, ambassador, brand co-founder, mentor, educator, public speaker – Claire Warner has a killer CV. With 25 years in the spirits industry, Claire has worked with some of the brightest minds in the business – and inspired many along the way, too. As head of luxury advocacy at Diageo, she is passionate about championing the on-trade, and building and supporting relationships between brands and bartenders. During our conversation we covered everything from the significance of cocktail competitions and the rise of the no-alcohol category, to the importance of helping hospitality and spirits professionals find balance and avoid reaching burnout, and how to tell when it’s the right time to make that all important career move. Keep up to date with the latest spirits and cocktail news from The Spirits Business here: https://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/ Follow along on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spiritsbusiness/ Keep updated on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/spirits-business/ Follow along on X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/spiritsbusiness Find us on Threads: https://www.threads.net/@spiritsbusiness Take a look at our videos on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TheSpiritsBusinessMagazine The Spirits Business Podcast is hosted by Melita Kiely, editor-in-chief of The Spirits Business. This podcast episode was edited by Matchbox Motion. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

It’s no secret that the number of women pursuing STEM subjects and careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields is woefully low compared to the number of men. But Trudiann Branker, the first woman master blender for Mount Gay Rum, is a shining example of the successful career trajectory that’s possible for women in STEM fields. Passionate about flavour and the science behind creating new profiles in rum, Trudiann is funding huge success and enjoyment from creating innovative rum blends for Mount Gay – and filling the barrels for future master blenders to come. This episode spans the significance of Mount Gay Rum to Barbados, the importance of sustainability – particularly as an island producer – how we can bring even more women into the world of spirits, and career advice for aspiring blenders. Keep up to date with the latest spirits and cocktail news from The Spirits Business here: https://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/ Follow along on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spiritsbusiness/ Keep updated on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/spirits-business/ Follow along on X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/spiritsbusiness Find us on Threads: https://www.threads.net/@spiritsbusiness Take a look at our videos on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TheSpiritsBusinessMagazine The Spirits Business Podcast is hosted by Melita Kiely, editor-in-chief of The Spirits Business. This podcast episode was edited by Matchbox Motion. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

This is our first live recording of a podcast episode – and we're delighted to share such an insightful and informative talk we held in March to mark International Women's Day. Titled 'Actions speak louder than words: engaging in meaningful change'. This was not a protest or an empty celebration of women; what’s always been at the core of these events is to share a conversation where women can attend, participate, and leave with actionable steps to further their professional development, and support other women along the way. This year’s discussion centred on women in hospitality, with a powerful line-up of experienced voices: Alice Taraschi, manager of The Guard’s Bar & Lounge at Raffles London at The OWO; Hebe Richardson, owner of Soda & Friends; Siobhan Payne and Hannah Sharman-Cox, co-founders and directors of London Cocktail Week, HANDS London Consultancy, and The Pinnacle Guide [https://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/2024/05/pinnacle-guide-reveals-first-pins/]; and Anna Sebastian, founder of a global hospitality agency and Celebrate Her. Melita Kiely, editor-in-chief of The Spirits Business, moderated the discussion, which took place at The Guard’s Bar & Lounge – a proudly Pinned bar. From bartenders and bar owners to consultants, ambassadors and more, women in hospitality are flourishing. But how can we support, protect and celebrate them more effectively? We delve into all of this and more in this week's episode. Keep up to date with the latest spirits and cocktail news from The Spirits Business here: https://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/ Follow along on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spiritsbusiness/ Keep updated on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/spirits-business/ Follow along on X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/spiritsbusiness Find us on Threads: https://www.threads.net/@spiritsbusiness Take a look at our videos on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TheSpiritsBusinessMagazine The Spirits Business Podcast is hosted by Melita Kiely, editor-in-chief of The Spirits Business. This podcast episode was edited by Matchbox Motion. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Marlene Holmes has had quite the whiskey career. Starting in 1990, Marlene learned from some of the best whiskey makers in the business, including the legendary Booker Noe. Marlene is unquestionably a legend in her own right; after nearly three decades at Beam working in whiskey production, Marlene pursued a dream she had to switch the high-volume production of Beam for a small start-up, Milam & Greene. In this episode, we talk at length about her incredible whiskey career, what it takes to be a master distiller, and why newer producers like Milam & Greene are giving the big players a run for their money. Keep up to date with the latest spirits and cocktail news from The Spirits Business here: https://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/ Follow along on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spiritsbusiness/ Keep updated on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/spirits-business/ Follow along on X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/spiritsbusiness Find us on Threads: https://www.threads.net/@spiritsbusiness Take a look at our videos on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TheSpiritsBusinessMagazine The Spirits Business Podcast is hosted by Melita Kiely, editor-in-chief of The Spirits Business. This podcast episode was edited by Matchbox Motion. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.