London-born Ghanaian entrepreneur Amma Mensah is the trailblazing founder of Reign, the world’s 1st African luxury rum brand from Ghana. Since launching in Accra 2023, Reign has become a multi-award-winning global brand celebrated by industry leaders and consumers across Africa, Europe, and the USA.
After a decade of championing social innovation in the UK, Amma returned home to Ghana to lead one of West Africa’s largest organic farms and distilleries, producing sugarcane, rum, and brandy. Within two years, she sold over 30,000 litres of rum, halved company losses, and increased African farmers’ wages by 50%. A graduate of the London School of Economics, Amma also serves as the youngest board member of UnLtd, a £150M fund investing in social innovators across the UK. Powered by commercial brilliance and a dedicated social purpose, Reign exists to: “build a community where everyone feels royal”.

Caitlin Hill is Advocacy Manager at Rémy Cointreau, where she champions innovative
practices within the F&B industry across the AMEI & CIS cluster. Caitlin’s journey in the
beverage sector began in 2012 as a waiter at the Orphanage Cocktail Emporium in Cape Town, South Africa. Her passion for mixology and spirits flourished here, leading her to
become Bar Manager at Mother's Ruin Gin Bar in 2016. It was here that she competed in 'The Forager,' a prestigious bartending competition featuring The Botanist Gin, which deepened her connection to the brand and inspired her career path as a Brand Ambassador for Rémy Cointreau AMEI for 7 and a half years.

Caitlin’s talent and dedication were recognized when she received her first nomination for ‘Best International Brand Ambassador’ with Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Awards in 2023, earning a spot in the top four nominees and concurrently received the same nomination in 2024 & 2025. In her current role as Advocacy Manager, she focuses on driving sustainable practices within the industry while supporting female empowerment and fostering growth for underrepresented regions in the alcohol sector, driving advocacy through education and the various bartending competitions that Rémy Cointreau annually hosts across the
portfolio.

In addition to her professional achievements, Caitlin holds a diploma in Fashion Design from the Haute Couture School of Design in Cape Town and has pursued extensive education in Analogue Photography. This diverse background informs her creative approach to advocacy and brand representation.

Born in Somerset West, Western Cape. Studied at University of Stellenbosch and Wits Business School Strategic Marketing.

Worked as a marketeer since leaving University, first for CapeSpan the export arm of the fruit industry in South Africa. After that, lived in England for 4 years running a small marketing agency.
On my return to South Africa, worked for CPC international launching several international brands into Africa.

Started working for the South African Brandy Foundation in 2011 and have launched several new campaigns such as the Fine Brandy Fusion festivals in Cape Town and Johannesburg, the Urban brandy Cocktail route, negotiated a differential excise rate for premium brandy with Treasury, been keenly involved with training and mentoring young Sommeliers and spirits professionals. I am passionate about my category and driving the premium narrative locally and globally. I work closely with bar professionals to educate and empower the upcoming generation of professionals to have global perspectives and share the joy of collaborating and sharing knowledge and experiences.

I have recently relaunched a brandy tourism route where you can have immersive experiences and tastings at a network of 19 brandy homes and 6 brandy hubs, offering a selection of premium South African brandies to be tasted and paired with food and cigar options.

In my spare time I do trail running, bodyboarding, diving, skiing, and also love classical music and opera.

Kate Boushel is an award-winning bartender with over 15 years of professional experience in the restaurant and bar industry. After leaving the restaurant and bar industry to pursue a successful government and public relations career, Kate’s passion for spirits and cocktails, and her natural inclination toward the art of hospitality brought her back to the bar. Since her return, she has collaborated with many industry leaders while representing the local scene in numerous competitions, as well as bartending and speaking engagements in communities worldwide.

Along the way, she has received national and global accolades, including 2021 Bartender of the Year at Les Lauriers de la Gastronomie Québécoise, Canada’s 100 Best Bartender of the Year, Tales of the Cocktail Foundation ‘22, ‘23, ‘24 Spirited Awards® International Bartender of the Year Top 4 Nominee, and ‘25 Spirited Awards® International Bar Mentor Top 4 Nominee. She has also received the prestigious 2024 North America’s 50 Best Bars Bartenders’ Bartender award and has been featured as Drink International’s 100 most influential bar world figures since 2023.

In her role as Partner – Education & Strategic Partnerships for the Barroco Group, she strives to lead by example, help build a stronger bar community, give back through mentorship and knowledge-sharing, and use her voice to champion the Montreal and Canadian bar scenes. She can be found behind the bar at the award-winning Atwater Cocktail Club, Milky Way Cocktail Bar, and Bon Délire.

Co -Founder Kenya Bartenders Week, Tales of the Cocktail regional Co Chair,
Co- Founder Nairobi Bartenders Association

Group General Manager Food and Beverage
Tribe Hotels Group
A Consummate Hospitality Professional on the Cutting Edge of
Nairobi’s Dynamic F&B Scene Bringing the Global Spotlight to Kenya

Currently the Group General Manager Food & Beverage of Tribe Hotels Group, a family-owned and operated enterprise with its marquee Tribe Hotel, a 5-star luxury hotel in Nairobi, Kenya, that channels African authenticity and excellence. Richie is a beloved stalwart of the global cocktail scene
and is a Spirited Awards Middle East & Africa co-chair for Tales of the Cocktail.

At Tribe Hotels Group, Richie oversees 400+ team members who bring outstanding F&B programs to life 365 days a year. These include Jiko at Tribe Hotel, a pioneer of pan-African cuisine, and Hero Bar, which ranks No.69 on The World’s 50 Best Bars’ extended list and recently crowned
Africa’s best bar 2025. It is located at Trademark Hotel, a sister property.

Richie has held previous roles in both Ireland and Scotland and returned back home to Kenya in 2014. He is passionate about positioning modern Kenya and Africa on the global food and beverage scene.

Richie Barrow

Kurt Schlechter is the visionary founder of CAUSE | EFFECT, a concept that has redefined the cocktail experience. Recognized globally, Kurt was named one of the Top 100 most influential people in the industry by Drinks International Magazine for 5 consecutive years. An award-winning bartender and drinks consultant, Kurt is a fierce advocate for potstill brandies and is deeply passionate about delivering exceptional service, spirits, and cocktails. With a wealth of experience, training bartenders across Africa—literally from Cape Town to Cairo—Kurt balances his time between managing the four branches of CAUSE | EFFECT and elevating the craft of bartending throughout the continent.

Ashleigh Perremore (Barber) is a South African professional with deep roots in the hospitality and beverage industries. Raised in Cape Town, she began her career at just 18 years old, working as a bartender and waitress, where she developed a passion for service, people, and operations. Her dedication and drive soon saw her advance into management and operational roles, eventually leading her to establish her own consulting business within the hospitality sector.

After the birth of her son in 2017, Ashleigh transitioned into the liquor industry as a sales representative, combining her industry insight with a growing interest in brand development and client relations.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Ashleigh became widely recognized as one of the key organizers and spokespersons for the #ServeUsPlease movement — a national protest advocating for the hospitality industry during lockdown restrictions. Her work in this space earned her recognition in media outlets such as The Real Network and News24, where she spoke on behalf of business owners and hospitality workers affected by the restrictions.

Following this chapter, Ashleigh relocated to Johannesburg, where she currently serves as a Sales Manager for The Really Great Brand Company. Her career reflects a balance of leadership, advocacy, and industry expertise, as well as a passion for supporting and empowering South Africa’s service and beverage sectors.

Charlie McCarthy delivers global strategy for spirits education at WSET, the world’s largest provider of drinks qualifications. With a background spanning acting, bartending, brand consultancy, and public speaking, Charlie brings a unique blend of creativity and commercial insight to his engagement with the global drinks community.

Charlie is also a passionate educator and advocate for inclusive learning that supports neurodiverse learners and non-traditional learning styles. Since joining WSET in 2019, Charlie has developed strategic partnerships with leading hospitality groups and trade bodies, and played a key role in helping students access WSET courses across multiple countries.

Whether presenting at global events like Tales of the Cocktail or mentoring future spirits educators, Charlie’s mission is clear: to unlock potential, elevate standards, and connect people through the power of drinks education.

Evert de Jong has been working in the industry for 13 years, of which he has worked a wide variety of roles in the industry, from bartender, to events manager, from staff co-ordinator to GM and finally as an owner and director of Sin Tax Bar and Just Short. His passion for people, flavour and experience are what drives him and his teams. He is extremely proud to be a part of such an energetic industry in South Africa.

I am Stephen Kojo Aidoo popular called Kojo Bordorvic and 37 years of age with a degree in Business Administration from Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration
(GIMPA) Greenhill and Diploma in International Bar Management from Bols Bartending Academy (Amsterdam). And a Certificate in Hospitality management from GIMPA. I am General Manager of Front/Back Accra, a unique members club in Accra Ghana that focuses on food, music, cocktails and arts from Africa and its diaspora.

Over the last six (6) years, I have helped shape Front/Back into the space that is beyond F&B, hosting several African-specific events (fashion talks, photos shoots for Vogue, Gucci, book launches, artist’s talks), listening sessions, video shoots, workshops, cocktail masterclasses, and biggest brunch parties and concerts as well as hosting a bartending school.

Also the General manager of No19 Accra Bar and restaurant in Accra Ghana.
I am also the founder and current president of Bartenders Guild Ghana, Ghana’s official bartender’s association which have done so much for the bartending community in Ghana and Africa through constant training through workshops and master classes and competitions. We have been able to raise Global Champions throughout years since establishment in 2014.

Co-Chair of the Spirited Awards Judging Committee Africa and Middle East
Also had training with Jägermeister in Wolfenbüttel (Germany).
Also had an opportunity in attending 50 best bars awards ceremony in Barcelona in Spain as a voting Committee member for West Africa.
Also attended Perfect Bar Show (Amsterdam) 2022, Belin Bar Convent 2022.
Middle East & Africa (MEA) Co Chair for Spirited Awards (Tales of the Cocktails) 2023/2024
Bar manager Global Citizen Ghana Event 2022
Bar manager for Afrofuture Ghana (VIP, VVIP, Back Stage, General Admission)
2021/2022/2023
Bar manager for Afronation Ghana (VIP, VVIP, Back Stage, General Admission )2022

Tamara Armour is a results-oriented marketing professional with over 12 years of experience and a proven track record of success in brand management and marketing within the luxury spirits and lifestyle industries. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Education from Sam Houston State University and her Master of Business Administration from Houston Christian University.

In her current role as Senior Brand Manager for D’USSÉ Cognac at Bacardi USA, Tamara leads product innovation, key brand programs, and strategic partnerships that bring cultural relevance and commercial growth to the portfolio. Over the course of her career, she has contributed to an impressive roster of brands, including Diageo, Moët Hennessy, BET, PepsiCo, HBO, ESSENCE Ventures, Unilever Global, and more.
A proud Houston, Texas native now based in Miami, Tamara is married to Mark Armour II and the mother of two college-aged sons, Brian and Elijah. In her free time, she enjoys exploring the arts, culinary experiences, and traveling the world.