Our Experts

Doreen Winkler is a natural wine sommelier, orange wine expert, and founder of Orange Glou, the world's first wine subscription service a dedicated solely to skin contact wines and Orange Glou Wine Fair, America's first fair devoted to orange wines. Named one of "America's Top Sommeliers" by Forbes, she is one of the first sommeliers to create wine lists focused on natural, organic and biodynamic wines. She's developed wine programs for Michelin-starred restaurants, bars and retailers, including at Aska and Aldea in NYC, where her program received the World of Fine Wine Best Wine List Award.

Joe Isidori is a Michelin-starred chef, restaurateur, and co-founder of Black Tap Craft Burgers & Beers. A third-generation New York chef, he grew up in his family's restaurants, learning red sauce from his grandmother and chicken parm from his dad. He's opened acclaimed spots like Arthur & Sons and JoToro, and is known for blending old-school Italian American classics with bold flavors, modern flair, and a signature "keep it old school" spirit.

Chef John Politte is the owner and executive chef of the YouTube channel, It's Only Food with Chef John Politte, where he shares his recipes and seasoning blends. He learned to cook from his mother, gaining essential skills and a strong foundation in the kitchen process. Transitioning into the restaurant industry at 16, he worked in various roles before becoming a Dining Services Director in the Senior Living industry. Driven by a passion for teaching, he launched his YouTube channel to empower home cooks. His success with a seasoning blend led to the creation of Chef Politte Seasonings.

Justin M. Lavenue began his bartending career in 2009 while attending the University of Colorado at Boulder. After graduating, he worked at the Bitter Bar, one of Colorado's first craft cocktail bars. In 2013, he moved back to Austin, completed the BAR 5-Day Course in New York City, and joined the opening staff at Half Step on Rainey Street. Two years later, he opened The Roosevelt Room, which has since become one of Austin's most popular bars. He continues to manage his ventures, study for his BAR Masters certification, consult on bar and restaurant projects, and write cocktail recipes.

Mathew Woodburn-Simmonds is the founder of Home Coffee Expert. A website that aims to provide its followers with the best possible information about every step of the coffee-making (and drinking) process, with gear reviews and easy-to-understand explainers on coffee brewing methods. His obsession with coffee began during his college days when he worked as a barista in 3rd wave coffee shop and extended well into his time as a restaurant manager and sommelier. He is best known for his strong opinions around social media's obsession with adding anything and everything to coffee.

Michelle Wallace is the chef and visionary behind b'tween sandwich co., which launched in 2023 as a series of pop up events. Wallace's sandwiches proudly celebrate the diverse culinary culture in Houston, TX. She attended Texas Southern University before pursuing formal culinary training at the Art Institute of Houston. She has honed her skills in several esteemed kitchens, including as Executive Chef at Gatlin's BBQ for six years. Wallace recently competed on Bravo's Top Chef and was even chosen as a James Beard TasteTwenty chef for the culinary series Taste America.

Molly Horn is the Chief Mixologist and Spirits Educator for Total Wine & More, the country's largest independent wine, spirits and beer retailer. She has over a decade of expertise in developing and managing bar programs. Horn's many responsibilities at Total Wine & More include tasting and marketing new first-to-market spirits, as well as educating sales floor team members on spirits and mixology. Horn is passionate about spirits and crafting cocktails and uses her training as a Certified Sommelier to inform her tasting and reviewing process.

Nathan Myhrvold is the founder of Modernist Cuisine and lead author of "Modernist Cuisine: The Art and Science of Cooking," "Modernist Cuisine at Home," "The Photography of Modernist Cuisine," "Modernist Bread," "Modernist Pizza, Food & Drink: Modernist Cuisine Photography," "Modernist Bread at Home," and "Natural Wonders." In addition to being the first chief technology officer at Microsoft, he holds a doctorate in theoretical and mathematical physics, two master's degrees, and earned a culinary diploma in France.

Nicole Patel, founder of Delysia Chocolatier, was named 2025's Best Chocolatier in the Americas and earned the Six Star Grand Master Chocolatier title for the 12th time. With 750+ awards, including 103 gold and 231 silver medals, she's a standout in Truffle Artistry, Spicy Chocolate, and more. Her journey began in 2006 with homemade truffles, and a 2008 trip to Texas Wine Country inspired her to craft the state's first wine-infused truffles, launching Delysia Chocolatier and a self-taught path to national acclaim.

Robbie Shoults is a true cowboy Celebrity Chef & Owner of Bear Creek Smokehouse est. in 1943, Marshall Mercantile, & High Horse 1898 in Texas. All his ventures reflect the family's roots in food, family, & faith. Whether riding a smoker to NYC for a TV show or heating a turkey in a dishwasher, he wins the hearts of Americans with his charisma and humor. He's often seen in top outlets like the TODAY show, CBS, Fox & Friends, Rachael Ray, & a five-time judge on Beat Bobby Flay, Southern Living, Martha Stewart, Taste of Home, Meat + Poultry, Southern Cast Iron, The Food Network, Yahoo! Life, etc

Silvio Correa's passion for cooking began at 14 on the beaches of São Paulo, Brazil. He mastered grilling fresh fish and meats over open flames, eventually becoming a sought-after BBQ chef in his hometown. In 2000, he brought his bold Brazilian flavors to California, co-founding Silvio's Brazilian BBQ and cooking for major events like Coachella. Today, through Silvio's Personal Chef and Tropicali Brazilian Kitchen, he delivers unforgettable BBQ and inclusive cuisine to private clients and top companies across Los Angeles.

One of the country's top pastry chefs, Chef Zac Young, is known for his playful takes on American desserts, including the all-in-one Thanksgiving sensation, The PieCaken. He is best known for his wit and pastry wisdom on Food Network's "Halloween Baking Championship" as well "Chopped," "Beat Bobby Flay," "Worst Cooks in America," "Supermarket Stakeout," The Cooking Channel's "Unique Sweets," Netflix's "Nailed It" and Bravo's "Top Chef: Just Desserts." His most recent venture, Sprinkletown Donuts & Ice Cream at Foxwoods Resort Casino, serves up customizable donuts and ice cream sundaes.