Chris Patino is the Director of Brand Education for Pernod Ricard USA based out of New York City. Though he lives on the East Coast, Chris is a loyal New Orleanian at heart where he began his career in the spirits industry.

Under the tutelage of industry luminary Simon Ford, Chris has worked as Brand Ambassador for Absolut Vodka and Plymouth Gin, and using his broad networks, became a connector and driving force behind the current cocktail scene. He was a founding member of the New Orleans Chapter of the United States Bartender’s Guild, and remains a vital supporter of the Museum of the American Cocktail.

Since moving to the East Coast, Chris has continued to expand his knowledge base across all spirit categories, while remaining dedicated to highly influential brands such as Olmeca Altos Tequila, Beefeater Gin, Jameson Irish Whiskey and Pernod Absinthe.

Throughout his travels, he has spoken, stirred and shaken alongside industry greats including Dale DeGroff, Dave Wondrich, Steve Olsen, Tony Abou-Ganim, Gary Regan, Simon Ford and Nick Strangeway. Recently, Chris has contributed to BarSmarts, PRUSA’s mixology education program, and helped to shape the Absolut Sensory Analysis tour in collaboration with sensory expert Per Hermansson and award-winning restaurant, Alinea. 

Having successfully completed a number of the industry’s premier educational programs, including the B.A.R. 5 Day in New York and the Bols Bartending Academy in Amsterdam, Chris considers himself to be a lifelong student of the spirits industry, and never misses the opportunity to return to New Orleans.