Grand Rapids International Wine, Beer, and Food Festival

Nov 21 - 23, 2024

Chefs, Speakers, and Experts

The following information is from the 2023 Festival.
The 2024 Festival information will be available soon.

Kavy Lenon

Meijer Supplier Inclusion Manager & Stage Emcee
Kavy Lenon serves as the Supplier Inclusion Manager at Meijer focusing on local and diverse vendors. For the past decade, she has been a contributor in promoting the growth of diverse-owned businesses through coaching, educating, advocating and community outreach. Lenon is also a successful businesswomen herself, having created the ZINI premium vodka brand in a male-dominated industry.  As one of very few Southeast Asian women in the industry, she wanted to ensure ZINI was more than just a vodka brand infused with exotic fruits from her home country of Laos. ZINI is an uplifting message for women all over … an invitation for women to become ZINI: Zealous, Intelligent, Natural and Independent. 

Lenon serves as the Vice President for the Veteran Owned Business Roundtable, Commissioner for the Michigan Asian Pacific American Affairs Commission and Co-Chair of the Grand Rapids Asian Pacific Foundation. She has been honored as the 2021 Top 25 diversity Change Leaders by DiversityPlus Magazine, 2022 Top Women in Grocery by Progressive Grocers and 2023 Leadership in the Workplace Honoree by Women Thrive.

Julie Ndjee

VP, Chief Product Development Officer, Neilly’s Food, LLC
Julie’s journey is one of resilience, innovation, and passion. After immigrating as a teenager, she quickly discovered her entrepreneurial spirit, founding a food carry-out business to help support her education while pursuing her love for cooking. Her career evolved to include diverse roles, from front desk manager to software developer, showcasing her adaptability.
In 2004, she co-founded Ultimate Seasoning, where her passion for product development took center stage. She created a range of popular food products that gained national acclaim, earning her recognition as a leader in the food industry. Julie collaborates with major retailers, always focused on delivering quality.

In her personal life, Julie lives with her husband and business partner, Albert, in Pennsylvania. She enjoys sharing her love for cooking by teaching classes in her community, helping people create delicious meals while staying health-conscious and budget-friendly

AJ Shepler & Erica King

AJ Shepler – Meijer Research & Development Chef
AJ has been working in the food industry for over two decades. From roles in private kitchens and restaurants to culinary competitions, product development, and manufacturing, food has always been a focal point for gathering and creating memories with and for guests from all walks of life.

Erica King – Meijer Product Development Specialist
Erica King possesses both a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science degree in Food Science. Directly after completing her graduate studies, she occupied a quality control position at the dairy plant of Meijer Inc. At present, she serves as the Product Development Specialist for Meijer Inc., collaborating closely with the nut roasting facility.

David Ringler

West Side Beer
Dave was born in West Michigan and went to school both in Kalamazoo, as Bells Brewery was starting, and in Germany, where a love of Bavarian Bier und Kulture was solidified. With over two decades in the beer and hospitality industry, Dave is thrilled to no longer be wearing a tie to work. A fan of shade trees in the Biergarten, Tiger baseball, Steeler football, Chopin concertos, N.W.A. on cassette, and questionable clothing choices, he’s the man behind Gemütlichkeit at Cedar Springs Brewing and the Küsterer Brauhaus.

Ben Darcie

Founder of Experience Beer

Ben Darcie is a veteran beer educator, promoter, and brewery representative for Short’s Brewing Company. He is the Founder of Experience Beer, public and private beer education, and a homebrewer of 19 years.

Gina Ferwerda

Author, Meals from the Mitten

With over three decades in the hospitality industry, Gina is a seasoned cookbook author, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. Her journey has taken her from owning hotels, RV resorts, and a marina boat rental, to launching her own spice line, Silver Spices, which has become a staple in her culinary demonstrations. As a regular on TV for over 10 years, she has shared her passion for food on shows like Good Morning America and Daytime TV. Her love for community shines through as the co-founder of 100 Women Who Care of Oceana County, and she is honored to host the upcoming 100 Who Care Alliance Leadership Conference in Grand Rapids, MI, in the fall of 2025. Her story is one of flavor, entrepreneurship, and giving back, always striving to make every moment as impactful as a well-spiced dish.

Nicole Roché Triplett & Sage Briggs

Nicole Roché Triplett – The Roché Collection & Twine Urban Winery
She keeps everything bottled up. Because she’s a winemaker. As the first Black female winemaker in Michigan, Nicole Roché Triplett started her wine production business out of her home four years ago, slowly introducing the Roché Collection to wine lovers and novices alike.
Nicole saw her passion for entertaining as an opportunity to create new traditions for her culture and build upon the footprints of the women before her. Thus Twine Urban Winery was born. Located in Kalamazoo’s Washington Square neighborhood, this urban twist on the traditional wine tasting room offers an accessible, judgment-free space where people can come together and enjoy Michigan-made wine in an approachable fashion.

Sage Briggs – Tabor Hill & Round Barn Winemaker
Sage Briggs is making waves in the Michigan wine industry as a trailblazing female winemaker at Round Barn and Tabor Hill Wineries. Sage, earned her degree in Enology and Viticulture from Lake Michigan College in 2019. Her winemaking journey began with a prestigious harvest internship at Oregon’s renowned Van Duzer Vineyards in the Willamette Valley, known for producing world-class wines.
After joining Round Barn and Tabor Hill in June 2021 as a cellar assistant, Sage quickly climbed the ranks, building on her previous roles as a tasting consultant at Lake Michigan Vintners and a lab technician at Van Duzer Winery. Her hands-on experience in production, sensory evaluation, and blending became the cornerstone of her dynamic winemaking style. Sage’s ability to fuse science, art, and nature is evident in the standout wines she crafts, such as Tabor Hill’s Sangiovese and Brut Rosé, as well as Round Barn Winery’s crisp Sauvignon Blanc.

Jamiel Robinson, Jonathan Jelks

Jamiel Robinson – Motu Viget Spirits

Jamiel is an accomplished serial entrepreneur and a visionary leader who is passionate about small businesses, economic empowerment and equity in the community. Jamiel is co-owner of Motu Viget Spirits, a premium wine and spirits company that produces world-class beverages. Jamiel has co-founded several popular establishments, including Motu Lakeshore Wine Bar and Prohibition Cocktail Bar in Downtown Muskegon, and Sip Coffee & Cocktail in Alger Heights.

Jonathan Jelks – Motu Viget Spirits

Jonathan is a millennial generation serial entrepreneur from southeast Grand Rapids, Michigan. He is a co-founder & a partner in a diverse portfolio the spans different industries that range from hospitality to tech. Some of those ventures include: Sip Coffee & Cocktails, The Botanical Co. Dispensary (Middleville), Motu Lakeshore Wine Bar, Prohibition Bar & Cocktail Lounge, Fields Cannary, Motu Viget Spirits, GR USA Apparel Company, and Radi8er streaming platform.

Tyesha Long & Karen Patten

Tyesha Long – Philidor Spirits
Tyesha Long is the visionary and passionate owner of Philidor Spirits, an innovative brand that seamlessly blends her infatuation with luxurious living and the timeless strategy of chess.  Inspired by her family’s love for the game, she sought to create a spirit that offers not just a drink but an experience people could enjoy in the comfort of their own homes.  Named after François-André Danican Philidor, a grand chess master from the 1700s, our brand reflects both the elegance and strategic brilliance of chess.  Our Philidor Agave Whiskey and Gluten-Free Vodka, presented in stunning King Chess piece bottles, embody the luxurious experience I envisions, inviting you to save life’s finest moments with every sip.

Karen Patten – Sipping Only
With years of experience directing beverage programs for top hospitality brands, Karen has established herself as a leader in the world of non-alcoholic mixology. Passionate about crafting unique flavor profiles, she has launched her own brand of Non-Alcoholic Cocktail Mixers and Simple Syrups, dedicated to elevating both the beverage industry and home entertaining.
Driven by a mission to promote community and sustainability, Karen sources all her ingredients from local farmers and small business owners, ensuring that her products are not only delicious but also environmentally responsible. Her meticulously crafted mixers are free from preservatives and additives, allowing the natural flavors to shine.
Through her creative and innovative approach, Karen aims to transform the way we think about beverages—making them vibrant, inclusive, and accessible for everyone.

Rob Hanks

The Nightwatch Lounge
Rob Hanks has had a long time bar presence in Grand Rapids behind notable bars such as Reserve Wine & Food, Buffalo Traders Lounge, Sidebar, Post Off, Two James Distilling, and now at The Nightwatch Lounge where he is now a partner. Hanks was the founding President of the former Grand Rapids chapter of the United States Bartender’s Guild from 2015-2020, in addition to winning “Best Bartender” at the inaugural West Michigan Food and Beverage Awards in 2019. He is dedicated to raising the bar on the Grand Rapids craft beverage culture with a focus on mentorship and education.

Hannah Awada

Owner of Hummus Goodness
Hannah Awada is 5th generation Lebanese American who started a little hummus company out of her kitchen window in Shanghai, china. When she moved to Michigan in 2018 she had no intention of restarting her business here but after taking hummus to a party she was encouraged by neighbors and friends to start what today is known as Hummus Goodness. In April of 2019 Hannah sold her first container of hummus focusing on ingredients that her mom put in her hummus when she was a child. From Day 1, the focus has been clean ingredients that we all trust like Olive Oil, Fresh lemon juice and cloves of garlic. Today Hummus Goodness is available in over 300 Specialty Stores in the Midwest and Northeast as well as well Meijer Super Centers.

Chef Jessica Ann & Monica Sparks

Twins with Taste
Monica and Jessica Ann, are the energetic identical twins behind “Twins With Taste.”  The celebrated personalities share hidden experiences and adventures of the culinary world. The twins have discriminating palates and a flair for discovering extraordinary foods, hidden gems and culinary facts in dining and supermarkets everywhere.
Although the Twin sisters do not always agree, audiences love seeing them together. Their tagline is “Sharing Experiences so great you have to do a double take.

Jonathan Pullis

Master Sommelier, Wine Educator, Wine Chips

After graduating from the University of Vermont with a degree in Economics, Jonathan Pullis moved to St. John USVI where he fell in love with the Hospitality Industry. He helped open The Pitcher Inn and was introduced to the Relais & Chateau network. That affiliation took him to New Mexico and then to Aspen where he joined The Little Nell team as a server.
In 2001 he joined the Wine team as a Sommelier and in 2008 was promoted to Wine Director, overseeing a Grand Award Wine List. In 2009 he earned the prestigious Master Sommelier diploma. After 15 years at The Little Nell, Jonathan was named CEO of Chef’s Club, a collaboration with Food & Wine magazine, with locations in Aspen and SoHo. Jonathan is currently the Wine Director of Madame Ushi in Aspen.
Jonathan also sits on the distinguished Board of Master Sommeliers at Wine Chips. Each of its board members brings an unparalleled depth of expertise to the world of wine and snack pairing. Among these luminaries, Jonathan stands out as a key member, occupying a pivotal role in flavor formulation and the wine pairing experience.

Ray Isle

Author, Editor for Food & Wine, Master Sommelier, Wine Chips

Ray is the longtime executive wine editor for Food & Wine, as well as the wine and spirits editor for Travel + Leisure. His writing has also appeared in Departures, Wine & Spirits, Time, the Washington Post, and many other publications. He has won the IACP Award for Narrative Beverage Writing three times, the American Food Journalists Award for Beverage Writing, and the North American Travel Journalists Association Gold Award, and has been nominated three times for a James Beard Award in Beverage Writing. Ray regularly appears on national television and in other media, and speaks at wine and food events around the globe.In November, 2023 Ray’s book, The World in a Wineglass: The Insiders’ Guide to Artisanal, Sustainable, Extraordinary Wines to Drink Now was published by Scribner Books.  He lives in Brooklyn, New York.

Robert Strong

CEO/Pretty Thai® Specialty Sauces & Spices

Robert E Strong Jr. is a former United States Air Force Staff Sergeant.  He holds a BA in History from Ithaca College, as well as a Certificate of Culinary Arts from Le Cordon Bleu Austin.Robert entered the food sector in 2012, launching Pretty Thai For A White Guy food truck in Austin, TX, and was featured on Season 5 of Eat Street on the Cooking Channel.  He transitioned from food service to a Consumer-Packaged Goods (CPG) company, Pretty Thai® Specialty Sauces & Spices, in 2015, and now sells his products in 550+ retail locations to include H-E-B in Texas and Meijer in the Mid-West.In addition to Pretty Thai® Robert is a Founder/Director of the Palmer Nicklaus Foundation, 501 (c) (3).  The Palmer Nicklaus Foundation’s mission is to put good into the world in honor of their son Palmer who passed from CHD and Heterotaxy Syndrome in 2017. Every bottle of Pretty Thai sold helps support the Palmer Nicklaus Foundation.Robert is a 2021 Future Texas Business Leader Veteran Award recipient for the Texas Business Hall of Fame (TBHF) and sits on the TBHF Executive Leadership Board. Robert is an avid golfer and wine enthusiast; and when not working (which is rarely), loves spending time with his wife Kristen and their children, Alivia (6), Eloise (2), and Coen (1).

Nate Blury

DrinkGR

Nate boasts an eclectic career in the beverage business. He was the co-founder of the Original Tin Cup Co., a Michigan-based drinkware company, and is an investor in Saint Liberty Whiskey, a craft distillery that honors women bootleggers from the Prohibition era.
Nate’s group, DrinkGR, worked to champion the re-launch of the hospitality sector out of the pandemic through the expansion of the city’s social zones and refreshment districts, as well as celebrating local restaurants, bars, breweries, and distilleries in and around West MI.
Additionally, Nate is a social media personality and creator of the “Cocktail and Conversation” and “Drink With Nate” blog pages, as well as a regular contributor to CBS, FOX, iHeart Radio, NBC, and Today.

John Gautraud

Brewery Experience Manager, Founders Brewing Company
John Gautraud is Brewery Experience Manager at Founders Brewing Company as part of the Mahou USA team. Mahou USA is the North American division of Mahou San Miguel — a family-owned, multinational brewer, beverage, and hospitality business based in Madrid since 1890.
John has worked at Founders since 2012 and has over 12 years of brewing education experience. In his role, he leads the Brewery Tours team at Founders — an educational team of beer enthusiasts and brewing experts who lead guests on guided tours of the downtown Grand Rapids brewing facility to demonstrate the ins and outs of Founders’ industry-leading craft brewing and packaging process. In addition to leading the Founders Tours program, John also serves on the brewery’s quality team sensory panel, trains new hires on all beverages in Mahou USA’s product portfolio, and manages the employee Cicerone training program. He’s currently a Level 2 Certified Cicerone, a certification for professionals dedicated to beer.