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Tales Catalyst
Created to celebrate women and non-binary individuals who are breaking barriers and championing inclusivity within the global beverage community, Tales Catalyst will honor two individuals—one U.S. and one International—at the 2025 Tales of the Cocktail conference in New Orleans.
Guests are invited to celebrate this year’s Tales Catalyst Honorees during Tales of the Cocktail® on July 22, 2025, from 3:00 to 5:00 PM. For those interested in attending, all attendees with seminar access are eligible to join, and seminar passes may be purchased on the TOTCF website starting May 13, 2025.
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 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, has 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.
2025 Tales Catalyst Honorees
2025 Tales Catalyst International Honoree:
Christina Veira
Christina Veira is the Co-Owner of Bar Mordecai and Founder of STAVE, a school offering beverage certifications, hospitality training, and customized tasting experiences for both industry professionals and consumers. A respected leader in the hospitality and beverage community, she has served as Bar & Beverage Curator for the Restaurants Canada Show (2018–2024) and as National Coordinator for Speed Rack Canada. Christina is also a Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET) educator for spirits and wine, and has contributed to initiatives such as the Awamori Jinbner program in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan, and served as the Director of Programming for Toronto Cocktail Week in 2019 and 2020. Known for her passion for fundraising and community work, Christina remains committed to supporting industry initiatives.
About Bar Mordecai: Bar Mordecai, a vibrant two-floor space with a capacity of over 200, has earned recognition on esteemed awards lists. The bar has been recognized as a Spirited Awards Canada Regional Honoree several times, including Best International Cocktail Bar in 2025, 2024, 2023, and 2022, Best International Bar Team in 2025, and Best New International Cocktail Bar in 2020. It has also been recognized on the 50 Best Bars North America list, ranking #40 in 2024, #43 in 2023, and #47 in 2022. Despite opening six weeks before the global COVID-19 lockdown, the bar survived four regional lockdowns and has become a celebrated venue offering tapas, karaoke rooms, live music, and expertly crafted cocktails. Bar Mordecai’s design, inspired by Wes Anderson films, frequently collaborates with artists, making it a unique and lively spot for both locals and visitors.
Recognition & Contributions: Christina Veira is a celebrated leader in the global hospitality and beverage industry, known for her advocacy, education, and community impact. She was named the World’s 50 Best Bars North America Roku Industry Icon in 2022 and Canada’s 100 Best Bartender of the Year in 2023. That same year, she was recognized in Foodism’s Foodism 40 as a Champion of DEI. Christina has been consistently ranked on Drinks International’s Bar World 100, rising from #44 in 2020 to #15 in 2024. Additional honors include the WSET and IWSC FUTURE 50 Under 40 and Imbibe Magazine’s “Imbibe 75” list. Alongside numerous cocktail competition wins, she remains committed to industry education, mentorship, and community-driven initiatives.
2025 Tales Catalyst U.S. Honoree:
Lucia Creed
Lucia Creed is a hospitality leader, educator, and community advocate with over 25 years in the Food & Beverage industry. She began working in restaurants at the age of 12 and later fell in love with the bar scene during her time behind the bar in Oakland, CA. Lucia is the Head of Trade Advocacy for Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey, where she leads global strategy, partnerships, and programming to support the bar community. Her advocacy efforts are deeply rooted in mentorship and education, aligning with the legacy of Nearest Green, the first known African American master distiller.
About Raise the Bar Mentorship Alliance: In 2024, Lucia created Raise the Bar Mentorship Alliance, a groundbreaking initiative designed to provide bartenders with the tools, relationships, and inspiration needed to advance their careers and become changemakers in the industry. The six-month program pairs mentees with respected mentors to explore their passion, refine their ideas, and build real-world projects, culminating in a live pitch for funding and ongoing support. Raise the Bar also offers coaching to mentors, helping them become more impactful guides within the program and their communities.
Recognition & Contributions: Lucia serves on the board of Turning Tables, a non-profit dedicated to supporting underrepresented hospitality professionals, and is on the advisory board for BAR 5 Day, a leading program for spirits and bartending education. Previously, she led education and advocacy as the National Ambassador for Campari America’s Women & Whiskies program and the Brand Leader for Del Maguey Single Village Mezcal. Lucia’s work has been featured in The Spirits Business, BevNet, Fred Minnick, and on Radio Imbibe.
2025 Tales Catalyst Dates & Deadlines
January 27: Tales Catalyst Application Period Opens
February 7: Tales Catalyst Application Period Closes
April 23: 2025 Tales Catalyst Honorees Announced
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
The U.S. Tales Catalyst 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 Tales Catalyst 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
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I nominate a Tales Catalyst?
Why was Dame Hall of Fame renamed to Tales Catalyst?
Can I nominate someone else to be a Tales Catalyst?
What are the responsibilities if I am selected as a Tales Catalyst?
What is happening to the past Dame Hall of Fame Inductees?
When is this year’s Tales Catalyst seminar?
Who should I nominate to be honored as a Tales Catalyst?
What are the criteria for U.S. & International Honorees?
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
2016 Dame Hall of Fame Inductees
2015 Dame Hall of Fame Inductees
2014 Dame Hall of Fame Inductees
2013 Dame Hall of Fame Inductees
2012 Dame Hall of Fame Inductees
Tales Catalyst Committee
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.
Tales Catalyst Official Media Partner:
Tales Catalyst is supported by:
