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Joel has spent over 20 years helping businesses grow and making a difference in the hospitality world. He was the founder of Heard and Saint City Culinary Foundation, which focused on mental health for service industry workers and is now the managing partner at Hagan Rivas Marketing and Media Group. His work has been highlighted in places like Bon Appétit Magazine, and he’s passionate about supporting those effecting change in their communities. Listening in Columbus, Oh? Care about where your food comes from? Head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠yellowbirdfs.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to start your order for farm fresh food, and enter NOPROOF30 for 30% off your cart. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Founded in 2016, the mission of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ben's Friends ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠is to offer hope, fellowship, and a path forward to anyone who struggles with substance abuse or addiction. By coming together, starting a dialogue, and acknowledging that substance abuse cannot be overcome by isolation and willpower alone, Ben's Friends hopes to write a new chapter in the lives of food and beverage professionals across the country.

Chris Cardone, founder of Continuous Beverage Solutions, has over 24 years of experience in bartending, hospitality, and consulting for diverse establishments in New York. He was named Bartender of the Year in 2017 at the Diageo World Class US competition, later becoming a judge and educator for the competition. Chris is the Chief Mixologist for Via Carota Craft Cocktails and a partner and director of mixology for Astraeaus Single Malt Gin. Listening in Columbus, Oh? Care about where your food comes from? Head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠yellowbirdfs.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to start your order for farm fresh food, and enter NOPROOF30 for 30% off your cart. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Founded in 2016, the mission of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ben's Friends ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠is to offer hope, fellowship, and a path forward to anyone who struggles with substance abuse or addiction. By coming together, starting a dialogue, and acknowledging that substance abuse cannot be overcome by isolation and willpower alone, Ben's Friends hopes to write a new chapter in the lives of food and beverage professionals across the country.

2024 'Best New Chef: Mountain' James Beard Award Winner Chef Matt Vawter and his business partner and director of hospitality, Patrick Murphy, both veterans of Denver's F&B scene, made personal choices to stop drinking alcohol in recent years. Upon recognizing the limited options for non-drinkers dining out, they expanded Rootstalk's booze-free offerings (their restaurant in Breckenridge, CO). They recently launched a NA pairing option for their tasting menu.  Listening in Columbus, Oh? Care about where your food comes from? Head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠yellowbirdfs.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to start your order for farm fresh food, and enter NOPROOF30 for 30% off your cart. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Founded in 2016, the mission of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ben's Friends ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠is to offer hope, fellowship, and a path forward to anyone who struggles with substance abuse or addiction. By coming together, starting a dialogue, and acknowledging that substance abuse cannot be overcome by isolation and willpower alone, Ben's Friends hopes to write a new chapter in the lives of food and beverage professionals across the country.

Robert St. John, a native of Hattiesburg, MS, is a restaurateur, author, philanthropist, and international travel guide dedicated to community and service. He founded Onward Hospitality, managing concepts in Hattiesburg and Jackson, MS. Since discovering his passion for restaurants at 19, St. John has opened over a dozen eateries, including Crescent City Grill and Ed’s Burger Joint. He writes a weekly food column, authored ten books, and leads culinary trips to Europe, focusing on Italy. Committed to ending hunger in Mississippi, he founded Extra Table and secured grants for independent restaurants during Covid. Recognized with awards like Restaurateur of the Year, St. John continues to elevate Mississippi's dining scene while enjoying family time and music. Listening in Columbus, Oh? Care about where your food comes from? Head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠yellowbirdfs.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to start your order for farm fresh food, and enter NOPROOF30 for 30% off your cart. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Founded in 2016, the mission of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ben's Friends ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠is to offer hope, fellowship, and a path forward to anyone who struggles with substance abuse or addiction. By coming together, starting a dialogue, and acknowledging that substance abuse cannot be overcome by isolation and willpower alone, Ben's Friends hopes to write a new chapter in the lives of food and beverage professionals across the country.

Growing up on California's coast, Michelle started drinking at 14, where binge-drinking was common through college. Despite attempts to abstain for health reasons, social and cultural pressures made it challenging, especially with work centered around alcohol. Over time, she realized alcohol heightened her anxiety and drained her energy, becoming a crutch. In Spring 2021, influenced by the impact of alcohol on her family, she quit drinking. What started as an indefinite amount of break led to lasting change and inspired her to create a non-alcoholic spirit company focused on vibrant, empowered living. Listening in Columbus, Oh? Care about where your food comes from? Head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠yellowbirdfs.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to start your order for farm fresh food, and enter NOPROOF30 for 30% off your cart. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Founded in 2016, the mission of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ben's Friends ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠is to offer hope, fellowship, and a path forward to anyone who struggles with substance abuse or addiction. By coming together, starting a dialogue, and acknowledging that substance abuse cannot be overcome by isolation and willpower alone, Ben's Friends hopes to write a new chapter in the lives of food and beverage professionals across the country.

Justyn Brogan is the General Manager of Urban Farmer Denver and The Cruise Room (one of the oldest bars in Denver, born the day after Repeal in 1933). He has been sober for over eight years. Justyn spent the first three years of his sobriety as a server and bartender. He then took a step back from management to focus on "cleaning up his life" before returning in 2019. He is active in the sober support group Ben's Friends Hope, an industry support group similar to AA. In fact, he just opened the first in-person meeting in Denver, hosted at Urban Farmer. Listening in Columbus, Oh? Care about where your food comes from? Head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠yellowbirdfs.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to start your order for farm fresh food, and enter NOPROOF30 for 30% off your cart. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Founded in 2016, the mission of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ben's Friends ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠is to offer hope, fellowship, and a path forward to anyone who struggles with substance abuse or addiction. By coming together, starting a dialogue, and acknowledging that substance abuse cannot be overcome by isolation and willpower alone, Ben's Friends hopes to write a new chapter in the lives of food and beverage professionals across the country.

Emily Hyland’s debut poetry collection, Divorced Business Partners, is forthcoming with Howling Bird Press in October 2024. Hyland's poetry has appeared in The Brooklyn Review, Frontier Poetry, and The Hollins Critic, among others. She earned her MFA in poetry and her MA in English education from Brooklyn College. Her cookbook, Emily: The Cookbook, was published by Ballantine Books, an imprint of Random House, in 2018. Hyland is the eponymous co-founder of the international restaurant groups Pizza Loves Emily + Emmy Squared Pizza. Emily lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico where she writes and teaches yoga. Emily earned her 200 hour certification at Yogamaya in 2012 along with 75 hours of advanced training in therapeutics and has since studied Yin with Corina Benner through Wake Up Yoga in Philadelphia.Emily has taught and mentored at an array of NYC studios over the past decade; most notably, she was a founding team member at Love is Juniper in Prospect Heights where she helped develop and lead teacher training. Emily is a partner at YogaSource in SantaFe. There, she endeavors to infuse her classroom with warmth and positivity. Her teaching centers around encouraging students to tune into nuanced expressions of proprioception in order to develop ongoing, active dialogue with the body. Listening in Columbus, Oh? Care about where your food comes from? Head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠yellowbirdfs.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to start your order for farm fresh food, and enter NOPROOF30 for 30% off your cart. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Founded in 2016, the mission of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ben's Friends ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠is to offer hope, fellowship, and a path forward to anyone who struggles with substance abuse or addiction. By coming together, starting a dialogue, and acknowledging that substance abuse cannot be overcome by isolation and willpower alone, Ben's Friends hopes to write a new chapter in the lives of food and beverage professionals across the country.

Mel is a 15+yr industry veteran based out of Arizona. They are a proud Mestiza, Mom of 3, and recovering addict. They believe the Universe is always conspiring for us. Listening in Columbus, Oh? Care about where your food comes from? Head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠yellowbirdfs.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to start your order for farm fresh food, and enter NOPROOF30 for 30% off your cart. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Founded in 2016, the mission of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ben's Friends ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠is to offer hope, fellowship, and a path forward to anyone who struggles with substance abuse or addiction. By coming together, starting a dialogue, and acknowledging that substance abuse cannot be overcome by isolation and willpower alone, Ben's Friends hopes to write a new chapter in the lives of food and beverage professionals across the country.

Best-selling author, TedX speaker, James Beard semifinalist, mental health advocate, and restaurateur Steve Palmer is a food & beverage industry leader with more than 40 years of experience. As founder, managing partner, and chief vision officer of the award-winning Indigo Road Hospitality Group (IRHG), Steve has played an integral role in growing the Charleston, SC-based hospitality company from one restaurant in 2009 to a portfolio of more than 30 restaurants and independent hotels throughout the country today. He maintains the philosophy that great service starts with well-cared-for employees and attributes the company’s success to its loyal and dedicated team. By promoting from within and continuously creating new opportunities for his staff, Steve has developed a people-first culture built on an unwavering, high level of care and hospitality. Nationally recognized in titles like The New York Times, NPR, and Southern Living, Steve is a four-time semifinalist for the James Beard Foundation Outstanding Restaurateur Award, with his most recent nomination in 2024 for his work with colleague Kimball Brienza at O-Ku’s Charleston location. He also became a best-selling author when he published Say Grace: How the Restaurant Business Saved My Life in 2019. His proudest accomplishment to date was co-founding Ben’s Friends with close friend and fellow longtime industry veteran Mickey Bakst to offer hope, fellowship, and a path forward to professionals who struggle with substance abuse and addiction. An avid proponent of supporting people and communities, Steve serves as an active member on several industry boards and annual fundraising events, as well as lends his voice to influential events like TedX Charleston and Charleston Wine + Food Festival, speaking on personal passions like building strong company cultures and addiction/recovery. Listening in Columbus, Oh? Care about where your food comes from? Head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠yellowbirdfs.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to start your order for farm fresh food, and enter NOPROOF30 for 30% off your cart.

Laura Silverman is an alcohol-free trailblazer. She’s been sober since 2007 and is the founder of Zero Proof Nation and Booze Free in DC, two platforms focused on highlighting non-alcoholic beverages and the culture driving their growth. She serves in advisory roles to for and non-profits in the wider industry, bringing her expertise and lived experience to the table.  Laura has given university lectures on non-alcoholic beverages and inclusivity in hospitality, two areas of deep passion and advocacy. She is a two-time judge at the World Alcohol Free Awards in London, tasting over 200 unique non-alcoholic beverages in two days.  In 2023, Laura received a “Leader and Innovator of the Year” award from Sans Bar Academy, a non-alc small business incubator. When not on the karaoke stage, she is frequently sought after as an industry subject matter expert by publications such as Wine Enthusiast, NPR, Forbes, America’s Test Kitchen, and the BBC. Laura is co-host of NA Dossier, a video podcast exploring the intersection between branding, design, taste, and community for non-alc beverages. She and her co-host, brand designer Haylee Jordan, have interviewed the founders of growing  brands (e.g. Starla Wines) and multi-million dollar brands (e.g. Athletic Brewing) alike.  Listening in Columbus, Oh? Care about where your food comes from? Head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠yellowbirdfs.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ to start your order for farm fresh food, and enter NOPROOF30 for 30% off your cart. ⁠⁠⁠⁠Founded in 2016, the mission of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ben's Friends ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠is to offer hope, fellowship, and a path forward to anyone who struggles with substance abuse or addiction. By coming together, starting a dialogue, and acknowledging that substance abuse cannot be overcome by isolation and willpower alone, Ben's Friends hopes to write a new chapter in the lives of food and beverage professionals across the country.

Gabriel + Cliff: Gabriel Rucker, Executive Chef and Co-Owner, Le Pigeon and Canard Two-time James Beard Award winning Chef Gabriel Rucker is Executive Chef and Co-owner of Le Pigeon and Canard in Portland, Oregon. Over the years, his highly original, off the cuff creativity and recipe-free approach to cooking has gained him national acclaim. A native of Napa, California, when school no longer piqued his interest, Rucker moved to the kitchen. In 2003 he moved to Portland and landed a coveted job at Chef Vitaly Paley’s home to Northwest cooking, Paley’s Place. In June of 2006, Rucker opened Le Pigeon, which quickly went on to win The Oregonian’s Restaurant of the Year.  One of Portland’s most respected and decorated chefs, Rucker has earned two James Beard awards for Rising Star Chef in 2011 and Best Chef Northwest in 2013. He has been named a Food & Wine Best New Chef and a recipient of StarChefs Mentor Award. Beyond the kitchen, Rucker has become a leading advocate within the restaurant industry for recovery, health and fitness. In 2019 he helped to open the Portland chapter of Ben’s Friends, a restaurant industry recovery group. He also leads a weekly running and walking club @birddogrunclub. Follow Rucker on Instagram @ruckergabriel. Meet Worry Not!’s creator, Cliffton. Cliff’s intentional mission in the development and implementation of Worry Not! is to craft menus that are far more inclusive, giving the option for everyone to enjoy the communal drinking & dining experience. Before moving to Portland in 2017 Cliff managed the Los Angeles mainstay, Wurstkuche. From there, he served as the General Manager at the iconic Baco Mercat under the guidance of James Beard nominated & Michelin Star awarded chef, Josef Cenento. He began his Portland industry journey as the General Manager of the legendary Pok Pok, and has proudly run the bar programs at both Jacqueline & Coopers Hall. He currently spends his working hours “putting things into cups” at Canard while heading the NA program at Le Pigeon. Cliff’s alcohol-free journey began April 1st, 2023, initially as a “Sober April” to re-evaluate his relationship with alcohol. It quickly became clear that alcohol was no longer part of his life plan – the benefits of living alcohol free far outweighed the indulgence of imbibing. With products such as Wilderon, All the Bitters, and Joyus emerging in the market, Cliff envisions a future where ordering a NA modern classic will be commonplace. Listening in Columbus, Oh? Care about where your food comes from? Head to ⁠⁠⁠yellowbirdfs.com⁠⁠⁠ to start your order for farm fresh food, and enter NOPROOF30 for 30% off your cart. ⁠⁠⁠Founded in 2016, the mission of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ben's Friends ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠is to offer hope, fellowship, and a path forward to anyone who struggles with substance abuse or addiction. By coming together, starting a dialogue, and acknowledging that substance abuse cannot be overcome by isolation and willpower alone, Ben's Friends hopes to write a new chapter in the lives of food and beverage professionals across the country.

Kristen Bear is an actor, writer, and sobriety hype girl based in Nashville, TN. After years of bouncing from coast to coast Kristen found herself back in her home state in February 2020, disillusioned, and desperate for change. Now, at over four years sober, one of her biggest passions is sharing her sobriety journey and helping others find their own way to freedom. Find Kristen on IG and Substack @creativesobriety and join her in Costa Rica this fall for a booze-free vacation! https://trovatrip.com/trip/central-america/costa-rica/costa-rica-with-kristen-bear-oct-2024 Listening in Columbus, Oh? Care about where your food comes from? Head to ⁠⁠⁠yellowbirdfs.com⁠⁠⁠ to start your order for farm fresh food, and enter NOPROOF30 for 30% off your cart. ⁠⁠⁠Founded in 2016, the mission of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ben's Friends ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠is to offer hope, fellowship, and a path forward to anyone who struggles with substance abuse or addiction. By coming together, starting a dialogue, and acknowledging that substance abuse cannot be overcome by isolation and willpower alone, Ben's Friends hopes to write a new chapter in the lives of food and beverage professionals across the country.

Drawing on 15+ years of experience managing bar programs in San Francisco, Phoenix, Oakland, and San Diego, Karl Goranowski is the Fenton Family Restaurants’ tenured Beverage Director across all five of the brand’s restaurant/bar concepts in Tucson, AZ. On a weekly basis, Karl can be found curating five distinct cocktail lists, a 250+ bottle wine program, and four craft beer programs –– across BATA, barbata, Tough Luck Club, Reilly Craft Pizza + Drink, and Fentonelli’s Pizzeria + Bar –– using local makers and seasonally available ingredients.As a sober bartender, Karl taps into his decades of expertise and skilled team of over 20 bar professionals to bring his ethos to life: curated spirits in creative cocktails. Sobriety has broadened his focus to encompass the overall guest experience beyond drinks and service, which gives him a more thoughtful approach to inclusive options for everyone. Professionally, he has developed a solution-oriented mindset, emphasizing continuous improvement, fostering collaboration, and trusting his team's creativity.A firm believer that the best drink a person can have is the drink in their hand, he focuses on creating flavorful, well-balanced cocktails that enhance the overall guest experience. He attributes all that he has to hard work, sobriety, camaraderie, and a little bit of luck. Listening in Columbus, Oh? Care about where your food comes from? Head to ⁠⁠yellowbirdfs.com⁠⁠ to start your order for farm fresh food, and enter NOPROOF30 for 30% off your cart. ⁠⁠Founded in 2016, the mission of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ben's Friends ⁠⁠⁠⁠is to offer hope, fellowship, and a path forward to anyone who struggles with substance abuse or addiction. By coming together, starting a dialogue, and acknowledging that substance abuse cannot be overcome by isolation and willpower alone, Ben's Friends hopes to write a new chapter in the lives of food and beverage professionals across the country.

Chef Ricky Bella is a Portland native who's been cooking since the age of 17. Trained on the job and without culinary school, he has worked in some of the best kitchens in Portland for 16 years. He's been sober for 4 1/2 years now and has been pushing for the subject of addiction and mental health to be more openly talked about in his community ever since. Listening in Columbus, Oh? Care about where your food comes from? Head to ⁠⁠yellowbirdfs.com⁠⁠ to start your order for farm fresh food, and enter NOPROOF30 for 30% off your cart. ⁠⁠Founded in 2016, the mission of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ben's Friends ⁠⁠⁠⁠is to offer hope, fellowship, and a path forward to anyone who struggles with substance abuse or addiction. By coming together, starting a dialogue, and acknowledging that substance abuse cannot be overcome by isolation and willpower alone, Ben's Friends hopes to write a new chapter in the lives of food and beverage professionals across the country.

"Sean is an aging midwesterner with no intention of being an old man. He loves service and cultivating social vibes for everyone." Listening in Columbus, Oh? Care about where your food comes from? Head to ⁠yellowbirdfs.com⁠ to start your order for farm fresh food, and enter NOPROOF30 for 30% off your cart. ⁠Founded in 2016, the mission of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ben's Friends ⁠⁠⁠is to offer hope, fellowship, and a path forward to anyone who struggles with substance abuse or addiction. By coming together, starting a dialogue, and acknowledging that substance abuse cannot be overcome by isolation and willpower alone, Ben's Friends hopes to write a new chapter in the lives of food and beverage professionals across the country.

Kim Lerner is a consultant, leadership coach for hospitality businesses and professionals at only yummy, always. She is also a professor on faculty at CUNY Kingsborough and The Institute of Culinary Education. On this journey through an ever-changing landscape, she defined the fundamentals of her own leadership style: kindness, trust, community, and building an in-house culture that transcends its four walls. It is this style of leadership that has made her a pioneer in the industry, challenging the status quo and always looking to better the climate of an industry she holds so dear to her heart. Kim operates the only way a NYC native with French roots can — with conviction, effortlessness and a side of beurre. IG: @only_yummy_always fb: onlyyummyalways linked in: only-yummy-always & Kim Lerner Listening in Columbus, Oh? Care about where your food comes from? Head to yellowbirdfs.com to start your order for farm fresh food, and enter NOPROOF30 for 30% off your cart. Founded in 2016, the mission of ⁠⁠⁠⁠Ben's Friends ⁠⁠is to offer hope, fellowship, and a path forward to anyone who struggles with substance abuse or addiction. By coming together, starting a dialogue, and acknowledging that substance abuse cannot be overcome by isolation and willpower alone, Ben's Friends hopes to write a new chapter in the lives of food and beverage professionals across the country.

In 1982 Mickey Bakst lost his first restaurant to alcohol and drug addiction, and it was also in that year that he found sobriety, after a long and painful struggle. For the next 40 years, Mickey watched countless peers lose their lives or destroy their careers due to their addictions. And for 40 years he asked himself, “What can I do to make a difference?” After witnessing the death of yet another industry professional in 2016, Mickey and fellow restaurateur Steve Palmer founded Ben’s Friends, a support group for members of the food and beverage industry battling substance abuse and addiction. The mission of Ben’s Friends is to offer hope, fellowship, and a path forward to anyone who struggles with substance abuse and addiction. The organization is named in honor of Ben Murray, a chef who took his own life in 2016 after a long struggle with alcoholism. Now with decades of sobriety under his belt, Mickey believes that there are countless members of the restaurant industry in need of support facing the widespread effects of alcohol and drugs. Through Ben’s Friends, it is his hope to help as many as possible. As Ben’s Friends Executive Director, Mickey has dedicated himself to the organization and focuses on spreading the word about Ben’s Friends to existing and emerging chapters across the country. Founded in 2016, the mission of ⁠⁠Ben's Friends ⁠is to offer hope, fellowship, and a path forward to anyone who struggles with substance abuse or addiction. By coming together, starting a dialogue, and acknowledging that substance abuse cannot be overcome by isolation and willpower alone, Ben's Friends hopes to write a new chapter in the lives of food and beverage professionals across the country. To order my n/a enamel pin from Mover & Shaker, head to ⁠tinyurl.com/4fm6r9v6

I've been so fortunate to have shannon as a friend. Anytime I've been in a room with her I'm in awe of how she makes those around her feel. She's welcoming, funny, honest, and humble. In an industry of personalities, it is rare to find someone so great in all they do, yet so approachable. I'm also fortunate to have been close enough to shannon to see the ways she's grown. In this conversation we chat about some of the positive outcomes of her decision to remove alcohol. Founded in 2016, the mission of ⁠⁠Ben's Friends ⁠is to offer hope, fellowship, and a path forward to anyone who struggles with substance abuse or addiction. By coming together, starting a dialogue, and acknowledging that substance abuse cannot be overcome by isolation and willpower alone, Ben's Friends hopes to write a new chapter in the lives of food and beverage professionals across the country. To order my n/a enamel pin from Mover & Shaker, head to ⁠tinyurl.com/4fm6r9v6

It was great getting the chance to chat with brittany, someone who is not only a consumer of n/a beverages, sober, but also a creator of a new non-alcoholic amaro called 'namari.' We chat through her decision to remove alcohol, how she creates n/a beverages at The Dutchess, and what led to the creation of namari. Thanks for the time and honesty, brittany. Brittany Naing is the Assistant General Manager, and also oversees the bar/non-alcoholic cocktail program for The Dutchess, an all-day bakery, café and Burmese restaurant in Ojai, California. Brittany worked as a chef for many years before delving into the cocktail world, so she applies that culinary mindset when developing beverages at this eclectic restaurant, which draws inspiration from her husband and Chef/Partner Saw Naing’s Burmese-Indian heritage. She and her bar team utilize local, artisan spirits and craft plenty of housemade ingredients (non-alcoholic infusions, vermouths, bitters, tinctures, syrups and more) to align with the restaurant’s philosophy of sourcing as much as possible from within 50 miles. In December 2022, Brittany became sober, and this journey has inspired her to expand even more upon The Dutchess’ thoughtful, non-alcoholic cocktail menu. Additionally, her love for amaro led to her launching a non-alcoholic, artisan amaro in 2020 called Namari. Founded in 2016, the mission of Ben's Friends is to offer hope, fellowship, and a path forward to anyone who struggles with substance abuse or addiction. By coming together, starting a dialogue, and acknowledging that substance abuse cannot be overcome by isolation and willpower alone, Ben's Friends hopes to write a new chapter in the lives of food and beverage professionals across the country. To order my n/a enamel pin from Mover & Shaker, head to tinyurl.com/4fm6r9v6

Michael Moberly is fun. Plain and simple. Every time I have been around him has been more rousing and laugh-filled than the last. When he removed alcohol from his life it felt like we only grew closer. My greatest friends at the moment have been those that have been filling their existence with good, and balance, and hope for themselves in the future. This is a departure from previous episodes, only in that Moberly is the first to roast me (I don't own a Corvette) and the first to feature big time shout outs to some of our favorite brands. I hope this episode is as fun for you to listen to as it was to make. Thank you, Moberly, for everything. Michael Moberly, Beverage Innovation Manager at Monin, is a beverage enthusiast, columnist,and educator based in Reno NV. He is also very good at wearing hats. Founded in 2016, the mission of Ben's Friends is to offer hope, fellowship, and a path forward to anyone who struggles with substance abuse or addiction. By coming together, starting a dialogue, and acknowledging that substance abuse cannot be overcome by isolation and willpower alone, Ben's Friends hopes to write a new chapter in the lives of food and beverage professionals across the country. To order my n/a enamel pin from Mover & Shaker, head to tinyurl.com/4fm6r9v6