Derek Elefson is a 12 year veteran within the beverage industry combining insights with his team’s approach to designing successful ideas for his clients, many of which are amongst the top 50 global beverage producers. As such, he is often invited to share his experiences and insights into new product development and flavor designing opportunities.
Derek’s broad view vantage point has allowed him to better identify evolving market trends and liquid innovations that have led to his involvement with hundreds of brands.
He has co-designed numerous consumer-winning concepts for Spirits, Liqueurs, Beer & Ales, Wine Drinks, Ready-to-Drink Cocktails, as well as an array of non-alcoholic beverages. And he’s even been known to create some unbashful cocktails on occasion. Although he is not a bartender, he only pretends to be at home and on a whim in his team’s lab. He has an immense respect for the craft.
He was a guest panelist for TOTC 2014 seminar on innovation, and has also been cited by The New York Times, Beverage World, Beverage Industry Magazine, Food Product Design, Beer Mixology, and others.
Derek has lived in Chicago and São Paulo, Brazil. He currently resides in Cincinnati where he enjoys spending time with family, as well as tinkering at his home bar. Oh yeah, and he has an entrancing collection of artisanal cachaças.