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We pull up with Gran Coramino Cup Champion Joel McKenzie, tracing his come-up from a gatekept bar scene in San Jose to standing tall on a national stage. This conversation is a masterclass in perseverance, purpose, and pouring from the soul.

Joel keeps it all the way real about navigating the early days, finding mentorship and brotherhood through Camp Runamok, and repping identity behind the bar with pride and precision. From hitting walls to building bridges, this one is about craft, community, and claiming space.

What we chopped it up about:
• Breaking through early barriers in San Jose
• Mentorship, brotherhood & those Camp Runamok connections
• Showing up unapologetically Black behind the stick
• Craft vs. volume — teaching guests what flavor really means
• How bartenders shape brands and culture
• The inside scoop on the Gran Coramino Cup format & judging
• Strategy, free-pour precision & pressure moments in Vegas + LA
• Winning on taste, not trends
• Building a lane for bartenders of color in San Jose
• Legacy, pride & pouring into the next generation

Follow Joel: @Joeweezy25

This episode is brought to you by Josh Davis, otherwise known as Mr. Mixologist

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We have finally reached the last episode of Season 1 of the Bottoms Up Podcast, and we're closing out our inaugural season with a bang! Fitting that we are posting this episode on Juneteenth! Live from New York for BCB, Bacardi hosted the Cigar Social at Aura Cocina in Brooklyn, featuring Josh Davis, Josh White, and Cale Brown mixing up cocktails.

Before the event started, Josh had the opportunity to sit down with the Portfolio Papi himself, Taurell Bush. They discussed the challenges of being Black men in the industry, humble beginnings, Black fatherhood, and, of course, with two guys from the Midwest present, the topic of who the G.O.A.T. is came up.

Taurell Bush is the Regional Portfolio Ambassador for Bacardi’s Multicultural Team and a board member of Hospitality Included. He is a Detroit native whose journey in the hospitality sector began behind the bar in Cleveland, Ohio. With national bartending experience, Taurell has developed a deep appreciation for the art of mixology and its power to connect people.

In addition to his role at Bacardi, Taurell serves as one of three board members of Hospitality Included, an organization committed to community engagement and equity. This group focuses on creating inclusive spaces that uplift underrepresented voices within the hospitality industry.

As a proud father to Mac, a 17-year-old scholar, and a dedicated dog and plant dad, Taurell values family and loyalty. He believes in the transformative power of hospitality and is committed to fostering environments where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued.

This episode is brought to you by Josh Davis, otherwise known as Mr. Mixologist

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Tassia is a nationally recognized mixologist, cocktail consultant, and cast member on Bar Rescue, known for elevating bar programs with creativity and profitability in mind. She is the founder of a successful mobile bartending company based in the D.C., Maryland, and Virginia area, with over 25 years of experience in the food and beverage industry. Tassia is currently developing a membership-based cocktail club concept in Baltimore’ featuring an exclusive guest experience and a professional cocktail lab. Her mission is rooted in innovation, inclusion, and the pursuit of peace, love, and a good cocktail.

In this episode of the Bottoms Up Podcast, @mrmixologist engages in a dynamic conversation with @peaceloveandcocktails They discuss her journey from California to the DMV area, highlighting her experiences in the hospitality industry and her efforts to uplift Black and brown communities within it. She shares her passion for creating a supportive network through the Forbidden Cocktail Club, aiming to provide resources and education for financial stability and career growth. The conversation also touches on the challenges faced by minority bartenders, the importance of representation, and her role on the TV show Bar Rescue. The discussion highlights the importance of collaboration over competition and the necessity of creating opportunities for underrepresented groups within the industry.

This episode is brought to you by Josh Davis, otherwise known as Mr. Mixologist

Follow us on Instagram

@BottomsUpWithMrMixxPod

@BrownAndBalanced

@MrMixologist