Three Experts. Eight Cocktails. One Tough Decision.
A great cocktail is only part of the story. At Battle of the Babes, the winning drink isn't chosen simply because it tastes good. It's judged on creativity, execution, storytelling, and the ability to create an experience that stays with people long after the last sip. That's why the judging panel matters.
This year's judges bring experience from spirits education, beverage innovation, hospitality leadership, branding, experiential marketing, and entrepreneurship. Together, they represent different corners of Charlotte's creative and hospitality communities, each bringing a distinct perspective on what makes a memorable guest experience. Because behind every great competition is a panel that understands the craft from every angle.
Jess Rushing
The Spirit Expert Who Understands the Story Behind the Glass
When it comes to cocktail culture, few people understand both the technical and creative sides of the industry like Jess Rushing. As President of the Charlotte Chapter of the United States Bartenders' Guild (USBG), Jess has spent years helping shape Charlotte's beverage community while advocating for bartenders and hospitality professionals across the region.
Her career spans beverage leadership, spirits field marketing, brand strategy, and education, giving her a rare perspective that combines technical expertise with an understanding of how brands connect with guests. That foundation is backed by formal credentials, including the WSET Level 2 Award in Spirits and the WSET Level 1 Award in Spirits (Agave).
But credentials alone don't define Jess's influence. Throughout her career, she has helped elevate Charlotte's cocktail culture by supporting trade professionals, educating the industry, and helping brands tell stronger stories through the drinks they create. As a judge, Jess brings the kind of perspective that looks beyond whether a cocktail is balanced. She understands the craftsmanship behind spirits, the intention behind a build, and the storytelling that transforms a drink into something guests remember.
Kareem Warren
The Creative Entrepreneur Who Turns Drinks Into Brand Experiences
If there's one thing Kareem Warren understands, it's that a drink can become much bigger than what's inside the cup. As founder of BRÜ, Charlotte's coffee and matcha brand built around culture, design, and community, Kareem has proven that creativity and execution can turn a simple concept into a recognizable local brand.
In just one year, BRÜ grew from a single mobile cart into a citywide name, generating nearly $200,000 in first-year sales while expanding through pop-ups, private events, brand collaborations, and activations with organizations like the Charlotte Hornets. Behind those numbers is a creative process rooted in craftsmanship. Kareem develops every drink on BRÜ's menu himself, from house-made syrups and cream tops to matcha on tap, carefully balancing unexpected flavors with thoughtful execution.
His philosophy is simple: surprise people with the first sip, then make them fall in love by the last. That’s a mindset that makes him a fitting judge for Battle of the Babes. He understands that memorable beverages don't happen by accident. They're built through experimentation, refinement, and a willingness to create something people haven't experienced before.
For competitors, that's an important perspective to have on the judging panel.
Markela Tarrance
The Architect of Experiences
Some people create content. Markela Tarrance creates experiences. A former accountant turned full-time creative entrepreneur, Markela has built a career at the intersection of storytelling, experiential marketing, luxury events, and women's empowerment. As founder of HMUK Creative, she develops elevated brand concepts, visual narratives, curated experiences, and creative strategies that help brands turn ideas into meaningful moments.
Her work has led to collaborations with brands including Procter & Gamble, Mielle Organics, Aunt Jackie's, and Old Navy, while earning recognition from ESSENCE, VoyageOhio Magazine, and other media platforms. What makes Markela's perspective especially valuable is her understanding that people don't simply remember products. They remember how those products made them feel; a principle that applies just as much to hospitality as it does to branding.
At Battle of the Babes, she'll be evaluating more than presentation. She'll be looking at the complete experience: how a competitor communicates their story, how their cocktail reflects their identity, and how effectively they invite people into their world. Because great hospitality doesn't stop at serving a drink. It creates a moment worth talking about.
More Than a Scorecard
One of the things that makes this year's judging panel compelling is that no two judges approach hospitality from the same place. Jess understands spirits and beverage education. Kareem understands innovation and building a brand through drinks. Markela understands storytelling and the emotional impact of an experience. Together, they reflect something bigger than the competition itself.
Hospitality today isn't just about execution. It's about craft. It's about culture. It's about creating something people choose to come back for. That's exactly what Battle of the Babes celebrates.
What This Means for Operators
Whether you're running a neighborhood bar or building a hospitality brand, the judges' careers highlight lessons that extend far beyond competition night.
Technical skill matters, but storytelling creates memorability. Jess's career demonstrates that understanding your craft builds credibility, but knowing how to communicate it creates a stronger guest connection. The drinks people remember often come with a story that makes them feel more personal.
Innovation works best when it's intentional. Kareem's approach to BRÜ shows that creativity isn't about adding more complexity. It's about developing ideas with enough intention that people remember the experience and want to return for it.
Every touchpoint shapes the guest experience. Markela's work reminds operators that hospitality extends beyond the menu. Music, branding, presentation, service, and atmosphere all become part of the same story guests take home.
What This Means for Consumers
The next time you order a cocktail, you're experiencing far more than a recipe.
You're experiencing someone's point of view. Behind every competition cocktail is a bartender translating their background, creativity, and technique into something meant to be shared.
The atmosphere matters as much as the drink. The music, the people, the presentation, and the energy all contribute to why some nights stay with you longer than others.
Supporting events like Battle of the Babes supports Charlotte's creative community. Every ticket helps celebrate local hospitality professionals, entrepreneurs, artists, and creators who continue shaping the city's culture.
Join Us at Battle of the Babes
The Stage Is Set. This year's Battle of the Babes brings together eight mixologists, three accomplished judges, DJ Micki Blendz behind the booth, and a room full of people who believe hospitality is at its best when creativity, community, and craftsmanship come together. On September 27, 2026, the cocktails will compete. The judges will decide. And Charlotte's hospitality community will have another reason to raise a glass.
The 6th Annual Battle of the Babes Cocktail Competition takes place September 27, 2026, from 5 PM to 9 PM at Merchant + Trade, 303 S Church St. Your ticket includes eight original competition cocktails, heavy hors d'oeuvres, a swag bag, live music from DJ Micki Blendz, and the chance to vote for your favorite cocktail.
Come meet the judges, meet the mixologists, and experience the creativity that makes Battle of the Babes one of Charlotte's standout hospitality events.
