Tales Catalyst

Tales Catalyst honors individuals who are making a real impact in their communities—leaders who are driving change and advocating for marginalized groups in the industry. Tales of the Cocktail Foundation welcomes leaders who champion equity, inclusion, and foster supportive community spaces to nominate themselves or other industry leaders. Each year, the Foundation will honor two “Tales Catalysts” — one based in the U.S. and one International – at the annual Tales Catalyst event at Tales of the Cocktail®.

Since 2012, Tales Catalyst, formerly Dame Hall of Fame, created an opportunity for women in the industry to come together and celebrate accomplishments not commonly recognized by other bar awards. While this intention has not changed, it has been broadened to divest from the gender binary and be inclusive of all genders, including non-binary and trans people. We welcome leaders who champion equity, inclusion and foster supportive community spaces to nominate themselves.

2024 Tales Catalyst Honorees:

2024 Tales Catalyst International Honoree:
Becky Paskin

Becky Paskin is an award-winning whisky journalist, presenter, and consultant, and founder of the OurWhisky Foundation. Formerly editor of leading online magazine Scotchwhisky.com and global trade title The Spirits Business, her writing appears in a variety of publications from Club Oenologique and Waitrose to Whisky Magazine and the Daily Beast. She is a regular drinks presenter for television and radio, including ITV’s Love Your Weekend and This Morning, and regularly presents educational seminars at global drinks festivals.

Becky is an advocate for equality and inclusion within the global whisky industry; her work has led her to be named Icons of Whisky Communicator of the Year, IWSC Spirits Communicator of the Year, SevenFifty Daily’s Drinks Innovator of the Year, and listed as About Time Magazine’s Top 10 Women to Watch in Drinks. She is also a Keeper of the Quaich and has been named one of the 50 most influential people in the global drinks industry by Drinks International for the past four years.

The OurWhisky Foundation is the world’s first non-profit organisation dedicated to supporting, recognising and empowering professional women in whisky across the globe, while advocating for a more inclusive and diverse industry. The Foundation works with the global industry to provide diversity and inclusion consultancy as well as surveys, reports and initiatives that inspire change. Its ground-breaking mentorship programme, which pairs mentees with some of the biggest names in whisky while providing free workshops and networking opportunities, has so far guided 200 women toward reaching their goals, with many securing new jobs and promotions as a result. Meanwhile, its world-first Modern Face of Whisky image library is breaking stereotypes through an evolving collection of free-to-use images illustrating the diversity among whisky drinkers.

2024 Catalyst U.S. Honoree:
Keyatta Mincey Parker

Keyatta Mincey Parker, a prominent figure in the spirits and cocktails industry, serves as the Chief Curating Officer at Pictures and Cocktails LLC. With over two decades of experience in the food service and hospitality sector, she brings a unique blend of expertise, merging her knowledge from hotels, fine dining, dynamic dance clubs, and her rich Liberian heritage. Recognized by Thrillist and Tastemakers as a must-know bartender and one of the Top 50 Bartenders in the South, Keyatta has garnered attention from prestigious publications such as Forbes, Food and Wine, The Atlanta Journal Constitution, The Huffington Post, Business Insider, and Southern Living Magazine.

Collaborating with influential spirit brands, chefs, celebrities, and farmers, Keyatta Mincey Parker is known for creating visually stunning and innovative cocktails. As the driving force behind Pictures and Cocktails, she designs bespoke cocktails and experiences. Additionally, she is the Founder and Executive Director of A Sip of Paradise Garden, a non-profit community garden for bartenders and hospitality professionals in Atlanta.

Keyatta’s impressive repertoire includes crafting the celebratory cocktail for the Liberian Olympic National Team, which has been adopted as the team’s official drink. She has been inducted into the Atlanta chapter of Les Dames d’Escoffier International and recognized as a member of Wine Enthusiast’s 2023 Future 40. Recently, she joined the board of Slow Foods Atlanta, aiming to expand her influence from the creative side of food to food justice, advocating for clean, fair, and healthy food for all.

As an esteemed speaker, Keyatta addresses topics such as philanthropy, community building, mental health, gardening, agriculture, black land ownership, equity in hospitality, and women in leadership. Despite her diverse interests, her passion for cocktails remains a constant focal point.

Official Tales Catalyst Media Partners

Tales Catalyst Sponsors

2025 Tales Catalyst Dates & Deadlines

January 27: Tales Catalyst Application Period Opens

Applications for the 2025 Tales Catalysts will be open from January 27 to February 7 at 11:59 PM EST. This year, we are excited to honor two individuals who highlight marginalized groups within the industry and shine a spotlight on leaders actively making changes in their communities. Apply on behalf of yourself or someone else to be an Honored Speaker at Tales Catalyst during Tales of the Cocktail 2025.

February 7: Tales Catalyst Application Period Closes

April 23: 2025 Tales Catalyst Honorees Announced

This year’s U.S. and International Honorees will be chosen by the Tales Catalyst Committee Members, helmed by Co-Chair Tiffanie Barriere and newly appointed Co-Chair Robin Nance, and evaluated based on specific application criteria. From these scores, the highest ranking individuals will be asked to submit a resume, bio, and honoree statement; from there, the Tales Catalyst Committee will vote to select one U.S. and one International Honoree who will be announced on April 23.

July 22: Tales Catalyst at Tales of the Cocktail

Tales Catalyst Nomination Process

Categories open for nominations are NOT based on the volume of nominations submitted. It only takes ONE nomination to be considered to be a Tales Catalyst Honoree. Self-nominations are encouraged. Please read through the FAQs before starting the nomination form.

Application Criteria

Tales Catalyst U.S. Honoree considerations:

A person whose professional and personal accomplishments have shaped the beverage landscape and provide visible models of achievement for tomorrow’s leaders.
Serves as a leader and mentor
Resides in the United States

Tales Catalyst International Honoree considerations:

A person whose professional and personal accomplishments have shaped the beverage landscape and provide visible models of achievement for tomorrow’s leaders.
Serves as a leader and mentor
Resides outside of the United States

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I nominate a Tales Catalyst?

Why was Dame Hall of Fame renamed to Tales Catalyst?

When Dame Hall of Fame was founded in 2012, the original intention was to create an opportunity for women in the industry to come together and celebrate accomplishments and advances, as they were not commonly recognized by other bar awards. This intention has not changed, but it has been broadened to divest from the gender binary to be inclusive of all genders, including people who are non-binary and trans. The reframe has been several years in the making and is based on feedback from the collective of past inductees who hope to make this a supportive space for all current and future members. Now, by introducing the Tales Catalyst, the group has not only positioned itself as a collective of diverse changemakers but also as a catalyst for the industry to continue inspiring their peers.

Can I nominate someone else to be a Tales Catalyst?

What are the responsibilities if I am selected as a Tales Catalyst?

Tales Catalysts will be invited to speak at Tales during the Tales Catalyst seminar presentation. This includes having a short speech prepared to share with the audience, as well as writing an editorial piece for the Foundation to publish later in the year. Honorees will be given a flight stipend based on location, and 2 hotel nights at one of our host hotels at Tales of the Cocktail.

What is happening to the past Dame Hall of Fame Inductees?

When is this year’s Tales Catalyst seminar?

Who should I nominate or to be honored as a Tales Catalyst?

What are the criteria for U.S. & International Honorees?

The U.S. Honoree considerations:

A person whose professional and personal accomplishments have shaped the beverage
landscape and provide visible models of achievement and equity for tomorrow’s leaders.
Serves as a leader and mentor
Resides in the United States

The International Honoree considerations:

A person whose professional and personal accomplishments have shaped the beverage
landscape and provide visible models of achievement and equity for tomorrow’s leaders.
Serves as a leader and mentor
Resides outside of the United States

How are Honorees selected?

Can I nominate myself?

What is the Tales Visionary Award?

Tales Catalyst Honorees & Dame Hall of Fame Members By Year

*Qualifications listed may reflect the individual’s current title or their title at time of induction.*

2023 Tales Catalyst Honorees

2022 Dame Hall of Fame Inductees

2021 Dame Hall of Fame Inductees

2020 Dame Hall of Fame Inductees

2019 Dame Hall of Fame Inductees

2018 Dame Hall of Fame Inductees

2017 Dame Hall of Fame Inductees

Joy Spence, Ruth Fertel Pioneer Award Winner, Master Blender Appleton Estate® Jamaica Rum

Kitty Amann, Market Manager for Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey (2022-2024 Co-Chair)

Sharon Bronstein, Vice President of Marketing with The 86 Company, New York City

Katy Casbarian, Co-proprietor of Arnaud’s Restaurant, French 75 Bar and Remoulade Restaurant, New Orleans

Dorothy Elizabeth, Bartender at Standby, Detroit

ms. franky marshall, Modern Bartender/Educator

2016 Dame Hall of Fame Inductees

2015 Dame Hall of Fame Inductees

Melanie Asher, Ruth Fertel Pioneer Award Winner, Distiller and Master Blender Macchu Pisco

Anu Apte, Owner Rob Roy, Co-owner Canoe Ventures LLC: Navy Strength, No Anchor, Vinnie’s Wine Shop, The Bar Bazaar, Tradewinds Tavern

Kate Gerwin, World Champion/Global Brand Ambassador Lucas Bols

Claire Warner, Co-founder Æcorn Aperitifs

Pamela Wiznitzer, Creative Director Seamstress, New York

2014 Dame Hall of Fame Inductees

Lisa Laird Dunn, Ruth Fertel Pioneer Award Winner, Chief Operating Officer and Global Ambassador Laird & Company

Elayne Duff, Head Mixologist Diageo Wine & Spirits

Francine Cohen, Founder and Editor-in-Chief Inside F&B

Ivy Mix, Author of Spirits of Latin America, Co-Owner of Leyenda, NYC Co-Founder of Speed Rack

Hollis Bulleit, Global Ambassador for Bulleit Bourbon The First Lady of Bourbon

2013 Dame Hall of Fame Inductees

Julie Reiner, Ruth Fertel Pioneer Award Winner

Bridget Albert, SGWS Sr. National Director of Education Beam Suntory, Author of Market-Fresh Mixology, Served Up The Podcast host

Gina Chersevani, Mixtress and Partner, Hanks Oyster Bar and the Eddy on Capitol Hill and at Buffalo and Bergen Soda Bar

Meaghan Dorman, Head Bartender The Raines Law Room

Eryn Reece, Bartender Mayahuel and Death & Company

2012 Dame Hall of Fame Inductees

Tales Catalyst Committee Members

Tales of the Cocktail Foundation’s Tales Catalyst Committee Members, including Co-Chairs and Committee Members, consists of active Tales Catalysts who have had groundbreaking accomplishments and have shaped the beverage landscape, providing visible models of achievement for tomorrow’s leaders. A celebration of hospitality trail-blazers, the active Tales Catalysts work to select individuals who have made a unique and lasting impact on the accessibility and intersectionality of the cocktail community by introducing annually two new “Tales Catalysts” — the U.S. Honoree and International Honoree.