Jonathan Pogash
President/Owner
Jonathan Pogash, “The Cocktail Guru™,” is one of the most premiere cocktail consultants and bartenders for restaurants and spirit companies. His signature cocktails can be seen and enjoyed in many of North America’s most upscale cocktail lounges and restaurants. With nearly 20 years experience in the hospitality industry, Jonathan shares his insights with the most influential publications from around the world, and contributes his unique talents to morning television shows and national radio. Jonathan has appeared on such programs as NBC’s “Weekend Today in New York” and “Fox & Friends”.
Just as an Executive Chef may work their way up through the ranks “behind the line,” Jonathan has worked his way up from being a barback at The Russian Tea Room in NYC, to Owner and President of “The Cocktail Guru™,” a well-respected, full service beverage consulting firm. Jonathan was trained by cocktail luminaries Steve Olson, Gary Regan, Julie Reiner, and Albert Trummer. Throughout the years, a style emerged – that of a career bartender interested in studying technique, cocktail history, fresh ingredients, and seasonality. His inspiration lies in unique ingredients and quality ensuring that every beverage program he creates remains consistent and thrives throughout the years.
In addition, Jonathan and his Cocktail Guru team offer bartender services for special events, mixology classes and demonstrations, and signature drink development for weddings and occasions. The Cocktail Guru’s sister site, Wedding Cocktail Design, was created specifically for that couple-to-be seeking a unique specialty cocktail for their wedding.
Jeffrey Pogash
F.O.O. (Father of Owner)
For the past eighteen years, Jeffrey Pogash has worked in the Communications Department at Moet Hennessy USA, the importer of luxury wines and spirits. He retired as Director of Communications on Sept. 1, 2011. During his tenure, Jeffrey’s responsibilities included garnering press for the entire Moet Hennessy portfolio of champagnes, wines, and spirits.
Prior to joining Moet Hennessy, Jeffrey spent seventeen years as the U.S. representative for the CIVA, the organization that works on behalf of all growers, shippers, and cooperatives in the region of Alsace, France. Before joining the CIVA, Jeffrey studied wine and wine tasting with Steven Spurrier and Jon Winroth at L’Academie du Vin in Paris, where he lived for three years. Upon his return to the United States, Jeffrey studied for his Master’s Degree in Philosophy at Rutgers University and was a freelance writer and copy editor for Vintage Magazine. In 1975, he wrote his first book, How To Read A Wine Label, A Dictionary of French and California Wines. Jeffrey’s most recent book, Bloody Mary , will be published in October 2011 by Thornwillow Press.
We are pleased to announce that Jeffrey has joined The Cocktail Guru™ team to lend his expertise in media relations, marketing, and brand management. He will be working directly with Jonathan and on independent projects.
Pamela “Wiz” Wiznitzer
Special Events and Consulting Guru
Pamela Wiznitzer has a true passion and zest for the industry that is seen and tasted in every drink she serves and also transcends the bar. Since 2006, Pamela has been working throughout NYC and currently can be found s
haking things up at the award winning (World’s Best New Bar and Best Drink Menu) The Dead Rabbit down in the Financial District. She has earned honors from her industry peers such being selected as one of the 20 Diageo World Class 2012 Contestants, winning Bacardi Limited’s “Champions Drink Responsibly” Mocktail competition judged by #1 ranked tennis star Victoria Azarenka and most recently took second place in the national 2013 Auchentoshan Switch competition, 1st place in the 2014 National Restaurant Association’s “Star of the Bar” competition and 1st place in the 2013 Louis Royer “Show Me the Proof” competition.
She is an active member and serves as the President of the New York City chapter of the United States Bartenders Guild. Pamela is committed to and believes in the continuation of her pursuit of knowledge and is currently working towards a master’s degree in Food Studies, with a concentration on spirits and alcohol, at NYU’s Steinhardt School. Additionally, she presents her research at seminars and conferences including topics such as Women and Whiskey and Safety, Laws and Legalities of being behind the bar. Pamela is a recent graduate of the rigorous Beverage Alcohol Resources 5 day program earning top honors by passing the course “Bar Ready.”
Pamela writes for various publications about the spirit and alcohol industry and works with sites such as Julibox.com as one of their cocktail experts. She has been featured in multiple publications including the recent cover of The Tasting Panel, Bar Business Magazine, The Village Voice, Zagat, CitySip.com, Glamour, The Forward, The Examiner, MetroNY, ABCNews.com, and Underground Eats as well as reccurring media appearances on the the Food Network, Vh1, NBC, LXTV, Fox & Friends and BetterTV.
Pam has been a proud member of The Cocktail Guru team since 2012. #Guru4Life
Kirsten “Kitty” Amann
Marketing & Business Development Guru
Better known to friends and clients as Kitty, Kirsten Amann is a Boston-based consultant specializing in cocktails, wine & spirits and health & wellness…and in the unique space where these opposite worlds meet.
As a wine & spirits consultant Amann has over 15 years of experience in the beverage industry as a brand ambassador, publicist, bartender, writer, and cocktail book author. She was most recently the Boston-based Brand Ambassador for Fernet-Branca and has worked with brands like Plymouth, Beefeater, Bols Genever, The Bitter Truth, and more. She works with clients to champion their brands, develop dynamic events, create delicious cocktails, and find a little healthy balance while doing it. She writes a monthly cocktail column for the MA Beverage Business under the byline “Pink Lady” and her cocktail writing has appeared in Daily Candy, the Weekly Dig, and Chilled Magazine among others. Her first cocktail book, The Screaming Orgasm, was published in 2012.
As a health & wellness professional Kitty is an ACE certified personal trainer, yoga instructor, and reiki practitioner who works with clients of all ages and fitness levels. She has presented on the topics of health and wellness at cocktail festivals since 2010 including Tales of the Cocktail, The Manhattan Cocktail Classic, Portland Cocktail Week, and The Boston Cocktail Summit.
Gina Mucciardi
Executive Assistant Guru
Gina Mucciardi is doing it all. As the Executive Assistant Guru, she manages all stages of event planning, logistics, client relations, and team coordination. A seasoned mixologist and hospitality manager who led the spirited downtown New Bedford, Massachusetts through its cocktail and dining renaissance, Gina managed Cork Wine and Tapas and the city’s first craft cocktail bar, The Cultivator Shoals, and represented the small but soulful city in the United States Bartenders Guild.
In 2021, she moved to Atlanta, Georgia where she is currently pursuing her Masters in Public Health from Emory University’s Rollins School of Public Health. In addition to her graduate research, she assists the Rollins Epidemiology Fellowship Program and Emory’s Maternal and Child Health Center of Excellence with program management and event coordination.
As busy as she may be, Gina remains a lover of hospitality and can be found bartending exclusive private events in Atlanta. Her attention to detail and positive attitude shines through in all of her work, where she aims to facilitate the best experiences for all of her clients and colleagues.