USBG Featured Bartender March 2026: Zach Benson, Charlotte, NC

Evgeny Tolmachev is the Head Bartender at Mace in New York and the creator of one of the first large-scale POV bartender education channels on YouTube. Born in Siberia, his career has taken him through Moscow, Europe, Indonesia, and Ukraine before landing in New York. Known for his focus on observation, structure, and real-service education, Tolmachev has built a global following by rethinking how bartenders learn behind the bar.View Full Recipe

Joy Figueroa is a Puerto Rican bartender and beverage leader whose work blends culture, hospitality, and classic technique. After 15 years in acclaimed Las Vegas bars including Herbs & Rye and Cleaver, she is bringing her experience and vibrant Latin influence back to Puerto Rico. Through collaborations with Rums of Puerto Rico and future projects of her own, Joy continues to champion storytelling, heritage, and community through cocktails.View Full Recipe

Jacki Schromm has worked in hospitality since she was 14, with experience spanning Nantucket, Boston, and now Houston, where she helped shape respected programs including Better Luck Tomorrow, Anvil, and Reserve 101. A Speed Rack alum and longtime advocate for women in hospitality, she is now the co-owner of Donna’s, a cocktail bar built on community, connection, and great drinks.View Full Recipe