Authors & Contributors
At DrinksWorld, our authors, contributors and experts make the core of our catalog. We’re a content site, yes, but a content site with voices and experts that bring our content to life.
Ludo Ducrocq
Whisk(e)y Consultant
Ludo joined the Scotch whisky industry with a fresh university degree in 2000. His early years were spent in Dufftown, the self-proclaimed malt whisky capital, where he worked as a distillery visitor centre tour guide and subsequently a team leader.
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One of our core principles is that 100% of our content is expert-backed and verified. We work with seasoned experts in the spirits and beverages industry to make sure we bring only the best content to you. These fantastic individuals are an integral part of advising our DrinksWorld vision.
Ludo Ducrocq
Ludo joined the Scotch whisky industry with a fresh university degree in 2000. His early years were spent in Dufftown, the self-proclaimed malt whisky capital, where he worked as a distillery visitor centre tour guide and subsequently a team leader.
Part of what ignites our own passion in the spirits and beverage industry is the dazzling mosaic of individuals that make up this world. Our contributors are people who have graciously given their time to share insights and their own niche perspectives, and our site shines because of them.
Ago Perrone
Having collected the world’s most sought-after accolades and having helped rewrite the rulebook on hotel bars, Ago Perrone is undoubtedly one of the most prominent figures on the mixology scene, globally.
Alex Francis
Alex Francis is the Bar Director of the Little Red Door in Paris, No. 6 in World’s 50 Best Bars 2023. Here, he spearheads Little Red Door’s transition to a Farm to Glass model, that picked up the Spirited Award 2022 World’s Best Cocktail Menu, and the World’s 50 Best Bars Sustainable Award 2022 along the way.
This has seen him ranking n°71 in Drinks International’s ‘Bar World 100’ of most influential figures in the Bar & Spirits industry in 2023.
Hailing from the East Midlands in the UK, Alex has made his way to the French capital via studying Developmental Economics at the University of Sheffield before working in esteemed London’s venues such as Rules, BlackRock & Bourne & Hollingsworth.
Allison Crawbuck and Rhys Everett
Allison Crawbuck and Rhys Everett are co-founders of The Absinthe Parlour at The Last Tuesday Society in East London, transforming Hackney’s best-kept secret into the city’s favourite alternative cocktail bar. In 2019, it was voted the Best Bar in London at the 7th annual Design My Night Awards by a public vote of over 180,000 Londoners, and in 2020, their absinthe menu was shortlisted for Imbibe’s Specialist List of the Year.
In January 2021, Allison and Rhys launched the UK’s first Absinthe distillery: Devil’s Botany located in Leyton, East London. The Spirits Business listed Devil’s Botany London Absinthe as #8 in the Top 50 innovative spirits launches of 2021.
Allison and Rhys are also authors of ‘Spirits of the Otherworld: A Grimoire of Occult Cocktails & Drinking Rituals’, published by Prestel/RandomHouse.
Gavin Wrigley
Gavin Wrigley is the Head of Education at the European Bartender School (the world’s largest bartender school), Owner of Speak in Code (voted one of the UKs top ten bars) and founder/head of operations for the annual Bon Vivant Festival. Gavin is an accomplished industry expert with a background in a wide range of hospitality disciplines, craft cocktails and education. With a rich career spanning over 25 years multiple countries across four continents, his impact is felt globally throughout bartending and hospitality as a mentor, bar owner, bartender, host, judge, author and consultant.
Harold Vieira
Harold Vieira is co-founder of Harold & Hansa, experts in Madeira Rum. Established in 2021, Harold & Hansa is on a mission to turn the spotlight on lesser known, premium quality rums from Madeira. Co-founder Harold is from this beautiful Portuguese island and his family has been involved in the rum trade for many years. Using exceptional varieties of sugarcane and a meticulous production process, Madeira creates some of the best rums in the world.
The team at Harold & Hansa handpick the finest rums from the island to bring to the trade and consumers in the UK. The company also organises Rum Tasting events to take you on a journey to discover the spirit of Madeira, sip by sip. https://www.haroldandhansa.co.
Melissa Frangi
Melissa Frangi is Global Bars Manager for MAP Family and thus is in charge of managing the bars at MAP Maison in London, MAP Petite Maison in Stockholm and La Bibliothèque in London. With more than 10 years’ experience working in the hospitality industry, she has worked in a range of venues across the globe including in the likes of Spain, Italy and the U.K. with notable destinations such as Barcelona, London and Lake Como.
Having worked in dedicated cocktail and whisky venues for the past decade, Melissa’s knowledge of spirits and in particular, whisky, is extensive. Her appreciation and dedication to mixology is evident in her creations of artisan cocktails as well as classics.
Melissa masters whisky from all around the world and frequently hosts masterclasses in all aspects and origins of the spirit. She has a passion for the production of spirits which transforms into a devotion of positioning the spirits and cocktails among the five senses (salt, sweet, bitter, sour and umami). She delivers this in an impeccable manner to clients making the whole experience an artform to watch and taste.
Salvo Russo
Salvatore landed his first job in the food and drink industry at a friend’s restaurant aged just 14 before going on to attend Ipsar Pagani Hospitality Management College in Pagani, Italy, between 2002 and 2007.
Shortly after completing his course in Hospitality Management, Russo moved to England to continue pursuing his dreams, working in a range of restaurants in and around London before taking on the role of General Manager at Heliot Steak House in 2012.
Born and raised in Italy, one of the top wine producers worldwide as of 2021, Russo was exposed to the culture of wine from a young age and quickly fell in love with the idea that every dish has its perfect pairing.
After being accepted onto and completing all levels of the Wine and Spirits course with the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET), the largest global provider of wine, spirits and sake qualification, his passion for the alcoholic beverage only increased and he used this further pave his career path as sommelier and wine extraordinaire.
In 2019, Russo set up his very own wine school in partnership with the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET) allowing him to use his years of knowledge and experience to educate the next generation of wine lovers.
Our writes are the backbone of our fantastic reads. These individuals have carefully crafted and brought stories, articles and interviews to DrinksWorld that enrich our content with a brilliant array of content.
Ailsa Sheldon
Ailsa Sheldon is a freelance food, drink and travel writer from the Scottish Highlands, now based in Edinburgh.
Ailsa has a masters degree in Gastronomy, and loves to explore what food and drink can tell us about people, places and cultures. Ailsa writes monthly restaurant reviews, interviews and features on the food and drink industry for The Herald and The List. Her bylines also include work for National Geographic Food Traveller, The Times, The National, Journey Magazine, The New Zealand Herald, and The Press and Journal.
You can usually find her checking out new places to eat, getting behind the scenes at a distillery or brewery, or in the kitchen cooking for a crowd.
Andrea Ottaiano
Andrea Ottaiano, an experienced and skilled bartender, was born in a small city in the south of Italy. Throughout his life, he developed a true passion for anything related to bartending. He started his career in his twenties, working at different bars and restaurants. Later on, he discovered the passion for teaching and became a bartender educator, working with cocktail bars and bartending schools. With his strong background, Andrea has helped aspiring bartenders develop their skills and succeed in the industry.
Bianca Lima
Bianca Lima is an award-winning mixologist and and her innovative approach to creating cocktails has earned her a reputation as a pioneer in the industry.
Born and raised in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Bianca’s passion for mixology started at a young age when she would watch her grandfather mix drinks for family gatherings. After completing her degree in Hospitality Management, Bianca travelled to further her education in mixology. During this time, she worked at some of the most prestigious bars and restaurants, learning from some of the world’s best bartenders giving her the chance to immerse herself in a melting pot of mixology techniques and trends.
Bianca now works at Handshake Speakeasy in Mexico City, No.3 in The World’s 50 Best Bars 2023
Her awards include Brazilian World Class 21
Brazilian Behind the Barrel 19
Korean Cocktails Competition 20
Charlie Bond
Francesco Braun
Francesco was born and raised in Rome, where he took his first steps behind bar while attending University. He moved to London where eventually he gained more knowledge on bartending working for high-end bars for over 11 years. After launching his Instagram channel @just_imbiber, showcasing his cocktails and sharing his knowledge, he started a career as Beverage Consultant for bar, spirit brands and luxury event companies as well as Food & Beverage photographer.
He’s now focusing his expertise on Japanese beverages, especially Sake, Shochu and Awamori supporting brands in the European and UK market as well as training and educating bartenders and consumers on these categories.
Inka Kukkamaki
Inka Larissa is a spirits writer, content creator and a co-host of Whisky Sisters podcast. Originally from Finland, she now splits her time between Italy and Scotland.
Through her blog On the Sauce Again she explores various drinks from seed to glass. She believes we should embrace spirits the way some people understand wine; to learn the best ways to drink them and fully appreciate the aromas, colours and flavours of each unique category.
When she is not talking about whisky, you can find her sipping tequila or searching for the best Negroni.
Joshua Miller
Karina Reyes
Meet Karina Reyes, DrinkWorld’s Paris-based Texan serving as Prouduct Manager. She has spent her career building her expertise in content and product development. With a Bachelor of Arts in both Studio Art and English Writing & Rhetoric from St. Edward’s University in Austin, Texas, she’s transformed her creative background into viewing each process or product she’s involved in with a multi-layered lens. With roles ranging from an operations manager, a newspaper editor, a literature teacher and a product manager, she’s honed a passion and expertise in delivering quality products and creating streamlined processes in diverse environments.
Kat Whyte
An award-winning agave spirits fanatic with over 13 years in the industry and a thirst for showcasing the master craft of mixing cocktails. Currently based at The American Bar at The Savoy Hotel in London, whilst capturing the moments and movements of bartenders and brands throughout the globe through the lens of creativity.
Katherine Brook
Lucy Hatherall
Meet Lucy Hatherall, our seasoned Content Director at DrinksWorld. With over a decade in the beverage industry, Lucy brings a wealth of knowledge and a true passion for mixology. Her early experiences crafting cocktails in top establishments and tracking industry trends have given her a unique perspective.
As Content Director, Lucy ensures every piece of content meets the highest standards. She collaborates with our team to deliver top-quality cocktail recipes, industry news, and insights. Her dedication and deep expertise inspire our mission to become the authority in bartending and beverages. Lucy is the driving force behind DrinksWorld’s success.
Noah Villeneuve
Noah Villeneuve is a low & no beverage professional with international acclaim who has been working in hospitality and Food & Beverage for over 14 years, and is currently the National Portfolio Ambassador at Kore Drinks in the UK.
He has worn many different hats over the years, as a drinks consultant, sommelier, bar manager, menu curator and mixologist. In 2022 he helped launch the UK’s first alcohol-free shop and bar in Covent Garden (Club Soda), has judged competitions such as the IWSC, Great Taste Awards, World Alcohol Free Awards and the Bartenders Brand Awards.
His work has been featured in Men’s Health, Cosmopolitan, Bloomberg, Secret London, Time Out, Vinepair, Drinks Retailing and the Evening Standard. In recent years, Noah has presented panels and presentations about alcohol-free drinks at Imbibe Live (London), Tales of the Cocktail (New Orleans), Forwards Festival (Bristol) and Bon Vivant Festival (Barcelona).
Constantly striving to push the industry forward with his advocacy and education of the category, he has become one of the go-to figures in the alcohol free world.
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Are you a passionate writer with a deep love for cocktails, spirits,= and the world of beverages? If you have a unique perspective, expertise, or simply a knack for storytelling, we invite you to contribute to DrinksWorld.
At DrinksWorld, we’re always on the lookout for talented writers to join our community. Whether you’re an industry expert, a mixology enthusiast, or someone with a fascinating beverage-related story to tell, we want to hear from you.
Share your insights, recipes, reviews, or experiences with our diverse and engaged audience. Your words can inspire and educate others in the world of bartending and drinks.
Join us in our mission to become the ultimate destination for all things beverages. Write for us, and let’s craft exceptional content together, raising the bar in the world of mixology and beyond.