Race
Amber
2024
Team member
MK
Race
Suzanne Batlle
2024
"Suzy Batlle was born into a Cuban family in 1968 in Coral Gables, Florida. For 20 years she excelled as a banker until the industry plummeted in 2008. At that moment, she decided to take on another venture. She opened Azucar Ice Company in (confirm year) in Miami’s Little Havana neighborhood.
Azucar quickly became a South Florida staple for tourists and locals alike, serving ice creams reminiscent of Cuban, Cuban-American and Hispanic cultures. Some flavors include Cafe con Leche, Flan and Sweet Plantains and names include Abuela Maria, Willy Cherrino and El Mani Loco. Batlle has since opened a warehouse for the expanding business and a second location in Marlins Park.
Batlle’s success with Azucar has helped revitalize the Little Havana area. She also serves as a board member with Viernes Culturales, a monthly cultural festival held in the area, and a member of Miami Dade College’s advisory board and of the Merchants Alliance.
The successful entrepreneur has crafted a unique Cuban-American experience and feel in Azucar Ice Cream Company, including shirts with Cuban phrases and slang, music and artwork featuring Celia Cruz."
MK
Race
Tara Bernstein
2024
"Hunter Fieri and Tara Bernstein are engaged. In this photo, Fieri and Bernstein attend the world premiere of “Good Burger 2” in New York City on Nov. 14, 2023, in New York City. (Arturo Holmes/Getty Images for Paramount."
MKHB
Race
Gabe Bertaccini
2024
"Born and raised in Florence, Italy, I discovered the passion for cooking at a very early age. Always on airplanes, traveling around the globe with my family, I found food being one of the main means through which understand a culture and its people."
MK
Race
Carolina Cossu
2024
"Carolina grew up surrounded by wine, as her father has been producing wine since 2005. After several years of experience in the fashion industry, she moved to the United States to reach new challenges and to share her love for Italian spirits and wine in a new market. First, she worked in the distillery industry selling Grappa, then she followed the steps of her father within the wine industry. She has since grown to become not only the Sales Director for the Southeast of the United States, but also has received her level 2 WSET. With her love for wine and the industry propelling her, she is now studying for her level 3. She has been with Ethica Wines since 2017."
MK
Race
Arthur de Lencquesaing
2024
"This was serendipitous. The fact that Mr. Lencquesaing was in Los Angeles at the very time I began reading his grandmothers book (albeit it very slowly, it is written in French) and that the vendor called and mentioned she was with him...there had to be a reason.
The name "de Lencquesaing" is synonmous with wine. Bordeaux in particular. Madame May-Eliane Lencquesaing is 95 years old but has vivid recollection of the war years if Bordeaux. Her story was partially documented in the book Wine and War by the Kaldstups and now in a more granular form "Les Vendanges d'un Destin: de Bordeaux a l'afrique"
Her grandson, Arthur was not destined to be in the wine trade, he wasn't necessarily drawn to it. It is hard to imagine that resistance exists, but it is the story of many 3rd,4t and 5th generation wine families; but somehow, as with Arthur, they are called back.
Arthur travels the world educating wine consumers on the intracacies of Spanish wine, namely Rioja. He has a love affair with Marques de Murrieta. Certainly his family history rounded his viewpoint on wine and it is eveident through his eyes, the passion involved in representing this winery and famliy."
MK
Race
Vera Malisani
2024
"Vera grew up harvesting, tasting wines in the most prestigious wineries and Venetian hotels, meeting people from all over the world; hence her passion for wine, food, and traveling.
She studied simultaneous interpreting for the European Union and got a sommelier master’s degree. Living in the UK, Spain, Australia, and Asia she, even more, realized the unique Italian biodiversity so she decided that promoting authentic Italian wine culture would be her mission no matter where her house would be."
MK
Race
Damiano Sorato
2024
"Damiano was born and raised in Veneto, close to Venice, from a family working in the restaurant business. He grew up surrounded by wine and food at a young age. Wine has always been his passion and, after finishing hospitality school, he got a master’s at Italian sommelier association in 2008. He worked as a sommelier in hospitality all around the world for 15 years, included several Michelin starred restaurants in Italy, the USA, UK, and Switzerland. In 2015, he left the restaurant business to focus 100% on the wine business."
MK
Race
Hervé Dantan
2024
"Established in 1760, Lanson is one of Champagne’s oldest houses and has been producing Champagne for over 250 years. Now with a dynamic team behind this globally recognizable label, its focus is about innovation and sustainability whilst remaining true to the fresh and zesty style. The Chef de Caves, Hervé Dantan, visited Australia to promote an exclusive range available to on-premise and independent retailers."
MK
