Tony Abou-Ganim is the author of the recently released book The Modern Mixologist: Contemporary Classic Cocktails, an entertaining and informative journey which takes you from the early beginnings of the cocktail to what Tony has come to deem "Modern Mixology!"
Tony won the 2007 Iron Chef America competition with Mario Batali, "Battle Mango," and released his first DVD, Modern Mixology: Making Great Cocktails at Home. Tony also was featured demonstrating the art of cocktail preparation on the Fine Living Network program Raising the Bar: America's Best Bar Chefs. He learned the craft from his cousin Helen David at the Brass Rail Bar in Port Huron, Michigan, where his initial introduction to the business was steeped in the tradition of classic cocktails and professional barmanship.
After graduating from Northwood University in Midland, Tony learned an appreciation for a well-made cocktail using only the freshest ingredients while at Jack Slick's Balboa Cafe in San Francisco. In 1990, he assisted with the opening of Harry Denton's, a legendary hangout in Fog City. He moved to New York in 1993 where he worked with Mario Batali at Po in the West Village. Tony returned to Harry Denton's in 1995 to open Harry Denton's Starlight Room, atop the Sir Francis Drake Hotel. It was here he created his first "Specialty Drink Menu" featuring several of his original cocktail recipes including the Cable Car, Sunsplash, and Starlight.
In 1998, Tony was hand-picked by Steve Wynn to create the cocktail program at his Bellagio Resort. He immediately implemented his philosophy of bartending and drink preparation-quality ingredients and proper technique create great drinks-developing the hundreds of original cocktails for the resorts' 22 bars.
As the National Ambassador of the U.S. Bartenders Guild and Associate Member of the Museum of the American Cocktail, Tony continues to educate about the history and lore of cocktails, as well as lead the bar industry into continually improving the art of the cocktail. He currently lives in Las Vegas and operates his own beverage consulting firm specializing in bar staff training, product education, and cocktail development.
Alain L. Thiry was named President & CEO of the international educational and cultural organization Up with People in February, 2009. Thiry, 54, is a native of Belgium with permanent U.S. residency and is a former student and field staff member of the Up with People program.
Prior to leading Up with People, Thiry founded EMSi, LLC, a management and marketing services company. He has also held multiple executive positions with major organizations, including: President - Carlson Marketing Group Europe ((Belgium); Executive Vice President - Carlson Event & Sports Marketing Division (Minneapolis, MN); Executive Vice President - Carlson Performance Improvement Group; Vice President & General Manager - Carlson Learning Company; Vice President & Account Supervisor - Ross Roy Group (Detroit, MI); Vice President Sales & Marketing - Center for Leadership Studies (Escondido, CA); and, Director of International Business Development - Sandy Corporation (Detroit, MI).
Thiry received a Diploma in Business and Economic Sciences at the Athenee Royal de Seraing (Belgium) and a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from Wayne State University (Detroit, MI). He also attended the Executive Leadership Program (Executive MBA) at the Carlson School of Management, University of Minnesota.
Thiry has served on the Board of Directors of the Minnesota International center (World Affairs Council) for the past six years, where he was recently a member of the Executive Committee and the Chairman of the Development Committee. He also presently serves on the Board of the Intercontinental Hotel Montreal, the Hyatt Regency in Montreal owned by the Swedish company Pandox AB.