Native Chicagoan Erin Hayes has worked in the hospitality industry since her very first job making milkshakes and lattes at Grumpy’s Cafe. As soon as she turned 21, she graduated to bartending — though it wasn't until Erin began work for the Boka Group at Lincoln Park restaurant Perennial that she discovered a passion for spirits and cocktails. Erin went on to run two unique cocktail programs with the Boka Group at The Hotel Lincoln before pursuing her love of all things rum and tiki under the tutelage of her mentor, Paul McGee. Erin is a three-time Speed Rack competitor and was voted to the Chicago wildcard position at the National Speed Rack Finals in 2015. Today, Erin serves as the Bar Manager at Lost Lake in Chicago, as well as the Midwest Regional Brand Ambassador for Aviation American Gin. She enjoys drinking rhum on the steep slopes of Caribbean volcanoes.