Hugo Chambon, Cognac Ferrand

Hugo Chambon arrived to the United States in 2008 from France after receiving a Masters in Business, Specialty International Development. Before starting with Cognac Ferrand, he previously worked at Beam Wine Estates.  He is now in charge of the Central Region of the USA for Cognac Ferrand and has worked 6 years in this industry. Cognac Ferrand is a highly regarded company that distributes its fine spirits in more than 40 countries in some of the world's most prestigious outlets.  The business was built on authenticity and character and draws on a dynamic team of people with a passionate interest in what they do.

Christine Cooney, Heavenly Spirits

Christine (Foubert) Cooney has been in the spirits business for over 25 years, serving as broker, brand ambassador, importer, marketer and distributor for mostly French products. In 2008, she and her husband Dan, created Heavenly Spirits LLC, a Massachusetts based Import company specializing in exceptional French spirits. Read Christine Cooney's full bio here.

Deidre Darling, Absintheur at The Savoy

Deidre Darling put together The Savoy's well-stocked absinthe library (40 different labels) and cocktail list. She has crafted a lively menu of absinthe-laced vintage and modern cocktails. "Absinthe in general is all about the ritual. It's all about the show, " Darling says. She therefore has a collection of absinthe fountains, balanciers and special hand-blown glasses at her disposal. The Savoy's absinthe bar with Deidre Darling at the helm is a classier, tastier, most interesting version of something already a part of Chicago's palate.

Sophie Evanoff, Vanille Pâtisserie

Vanille Pâtisserie owner Sophie Evanoff discovered her love for pastries early on. She grabbed any chance she could to bake along side of her mother, her teachers, or the grandmothers who backed at church events, even working her pastry creations into school projects. By high school she knew she wanted a career in the pastry arts, not necessarily as a chef, but rather as a business owner so she could have the ability to "turn my dreams into reality." Read Sophie Evanoff's full bio here.

Ken Miller and Greg O'Neill, Pastoral Artisan Cheese, Bread & Wine

Ken Miller and Greg O'Neill are the owners and founders of Pastoral Artisan Cheese, Bread & Wine. Partners in life for almost eighteen years, Ken and Greg have been corporate nomads, with jobs taking them to places as varied as New York, Hamburg, Boston, Budapest and Chicago--their favorite place and adopted home. They love to eat and can think of nothing more enjoyable than making a meal out of fantastic cheese, bread and wine (and everything that goes with it) and meeting others who enjoy the same! Read Ken and Greg's full bio here.

Viktorija Todorovska, Armagnac Ambassador of Chicago

Viktorija is a Chicago-based wine and spirits educator and cookbook author passionate about the Southern Meditaterranean. She is the Armagnac Ambassador for the city of Chicago, representing the Bureau National Interprofessional de l'Armagnac (B.N.I.A.), a non-profit association that includes Armagnac producers, negotiants, cooperatives and brokers. Read Viktorija Todorovska's full bio here.