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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.
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, 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.
TOTCF and the Tales Catalyst Committee are seeking candidates who are breaking barriers and advancing the hospitality industry in positive, innovative ways. We encourage self-nominations as well as nominations of other leaders who are fostering inclusivity, championing underrepresented voices, and mentoring the next generation of hospitality professionals. To be considered for the Tales Catalyst 2025 honors, candidates should meet the following criteria:
- Significant contributions to the beverage industry, particularly in advancing inclusivity, equity, and accessibility
- Proven leadership, mentorship, and advocacy for underrepresented groups
- Demonstrated commitment to fostering a diverse and supportive community
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
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 Tales 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.
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.