Marriott International has announced the return of Masters of the Craft, a culinary and beverage competition that fosters creativity and innovation whilst highlighting exceptional chefs and bartenders within the company across the U.S. and Canada.

Over the past three months, 800 aspiring F&B professionals from 80 Marriott properties competed in local and regional Masters of the Craft competitions to prove their prowess through quick-fire cooking and mixology challenges during which each contestant was tasked with incorporating a mystery ingredient into a signature dish or cocktail, before being judged on technique, creativity, and taste.

The resulting six finalists will now go head-to-head in the final Masters of the Craft competition at Marriott International’s new Bethesda headquarters test kitchen, which will be livestreamed from 1-2:30 pm ET on Thursday 15 December 2022.

The culinary finalists include Soumi Hazra, Lead Cook at JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort, Shai’ana Moultrie, Cook at Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, and Mike Wiatrzyk – Commis 1, The Westin Harbour Castle in Toronto. The mixology finalists meanwhile include Sean Noddin, Principal Bartender at JW Marriott Tampa Water Street, Zack Vosough, Bartender at The Phoenician, A Luxury Collection Resort, Scottsdale, and Tyler Young, Bartender at Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel.

The judging panel features Marriott International Chief Executive Officer Anthony Capuano, and F&B personalities Bridget Albert, Rick Billings, Wylie Dufresne and Nycci Nellis.

“After a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, we’re excited for the return of Masters of the Craft and the passion it ignites within our incredible chefs and bartenders,” says Matthew Von Ertfelda, Senior Vice President, Food & Beverage for Global, U.S. and Canada Operations at Marriott International. “Masters of the Craft not only highlights the amazing talent we have within our hotels and restaurants – and affords our associates bragging rights in their kitchen or bar – but also helps inspire the next generation of rising culinary and beverage stars while underlining the incredible opportunities that exist to build a rewarding food and beverage career within Marriott.”