Jessamine currently serves as the National Brand Ambassador for the Powers & Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey portfolio at Pernod Ricard. In 2015, this role moved her to New York City to develop a consumer and trade education program based out of the Dead Rabbit Grocery and Grog, recently named the “Best Bar in the World” by 50 Best Bars. Her role as National Brand Ambassador is to educate and showcase this unique portfolio of Irish Whiskeys including Redbreast, the Spot Whiskeys, Powers, and Midleton throughout the US. She currently travels the United States to collaborate with some of the most influential bars in the world in menu development and event support.
No stranger to the spirits industry, she’s also an award-winning bartender and knows her way around a wine list. Jessamine has a level two certification from The Court of Master Sommeliers. She’s also an active member of numerous industry groups like the United States Bartender’s Guild. She has graduated from BarSmarts, made it to the top eight in San Francisco’s Speedrack charity competition, and is currently enrolled in an educational program for a Certificate in Distilling from the Institute of Distilling and Brewing out of the United Kingdom.
Her experience in restaurants began as a bartender, but her passion was ignited when she began studying wine. With a full course load at UC Santa Cruz for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Jessamine decided to tackle the Sommelier examinations. Self-taught with determination and books, it was the passing of this test that jump-started her focus in fine dining. She would go on to open Alexander’s Steakhouse in San Francisco as Bar Manager after being the crucial change the Cupertino location needed to gain One Michelin star in the year she created cocktails for the menu. Craving more, Jessamine joined the Manresa Restaurant team to launch their spirits program. A newly acquired liquor license and remodel at this Two Michelin Starred restaurant (now Three) was the perfect stage to showcase Jessamine’s culinary driven cocktail style, awareness of local and sustainable ingredients and focus on simplicity and seasonality. At Chez TJ she went back to her roots with wine, running the small One Michelin Starred restaurant as General Manager and Wine Director. Quickly becoming recognized as one of the Bay Area’s leading bar minds, Jessamine was tapped to open Hakkasan in San Francisco as the Beverage Manager, later consulting on the subsequent openings of the Las Vegas and Beverly Hills locations. Globally, the Hakkasan group holds a dozen Michelin Stars for their luxury locations.
Jessamine’s knowledge and easygoing personality have led to repeated love from the press, and she’s been recognized by publications ranging from San Francisco Magazine, SF Weekly, Eater SF, Alcademics, and has been featured on the radio programs “Cooking with Ryan Scott” and “The Connected Table.” Look for her cocktail instructional videos to pop up on the Powers Irish Whiskey Facebook page, or come see her speak in person at one of the WhiskyFest shows held across the United States.