PARTNER, DIRECTOR OF FOOD & BEVERAGE

A Certified Cicerone, Dan Rook spent seven years bartending, directing cocktail programs and assisting with the opening and remodel of ten Kimpton Hotel & Restaurant Group properties. He was named “Best Bartender” by Chicago Tribune’s Redeye and a “30 under 30 Culinary Game Changer” by Zagat.

PARTNER, DIRECTOR OF SALES

Matt Wiegers worked in retail management for 10 years before getting back into hospitality as a consultant for restaurant openings and spirit and beer brands. Most recently he spent 5 years as lead bartender for Elephant & Castle, assisting in the development of cocktail menus for the company nationwide.

PARTNER, DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS

Zachary Blazek, a partner and Director of Operations at Clumsy Cow BBQ, hails from the suburbs of Chicago where his career in the hospitality industry began. His passion for fine dining blossomed during his time at Japonais, an upscale fusion restaurant in Chicago before signing on with Virgin Hotels where he spent nine years and ascended to Director of Food & Beverage. Zachary enjoys the ever-changing nature of the culinary world, the art of crafting unforgettable dining experiences, and the joy of mentoring others in the industry.

HEAD BREWER

Michael Gretz comes to Industry Ales with over a decade of experience in the beer industry. Having received his formal Master Brewer certification from the World Brewing Academy based in Munich, Germany, he moved to Chicago in 2017 to pursue his brewing career and has spent the past six years working as a brewer, a yeast wrangler and an operations manager.