Cocktail Library

Mark Hickey has worked the alcohol industry for 25 Years and is the National Brand Ambassadorial Manager at Spirits Platform. He leads the Brand Ambassador team and our educational programs.

Mark’s knowledge about  the methods, history & story of the people behind the brands & distilleries we represent. He believes in first-hand education through the interaction of all the senses (sight, sound, touch & of course taste). His passion for the industry is obvious whenever discussing the topic of whisky and he has travelled the globe to learn in detail how many of our products are made.

In August 2018 Mark was awarded the 2018/19 Icons of Whisky Scotch whisky ambassador of the year & will represent Australia in the World Ambassador finals in London March.

He is currently writing educational books on both Scottish & Irish whiskey.

With nearly two decades of experience in hospitality across Australia, Europe, and the UK, Steph brings a wealth of industry knowledge to Spirits Platform.

Her career spans high-profile roles, from launching venues for the esteemed Soho House & Co in the UK to leading the global expansion of the Tia Maria + Coffee Project as a Brand Ambassador. Most recently, she launched her own restaurant and supper club pop-up, further cementing her reputation for excellence in brand training, event management, and service delivery.

After 14 years abroad, Steph has returned to Australia, eager to share her passion for hospitality and bartending with the next generation.

She is the Brand Ambassador for NSW/ACT at Spirits Platform.

Having recently moved to Australia from Canada, Max joins the Spirits Platform with a wealth of knowledge he has gleaned over his many years in the thriving beverage industry in Vancouver.

Max began his career in bartending in 2010 at the acclaimed Fairmont Pacific Rim Hotel where he learned about classic cocktails and gained an appreciation for fine spirits. From there he branched off on his own and began to open several popular venues as a bar and cocktail consultant for various endeavours around the city.

Most recently Max served as the Diageo Reserve Ambassador in Vancouver for 2 years and has now joined Spirits Platform bringing with him knowledge on the premium spirits category. Throughout the years Max has competed and placed well in prestigious cocktail competitions such as World Class and Beefeater Mix London and he has engaged in qualifications such as WSET Level 3 in Spirits to increase his knowledge and keep up with trends both at home and abroad.

Max is the Brand Ambassador for VIC/TAS.

Liam’s hospitality journey began on a sabbatical away his career in Architecture. While living in Berlin he started working as a barback at renowned international members clubs Soho House, trained as a bartender and fell in love with the world of cocktails and hospitality. When he returned to Brisbane, hospitality was the only option, working in premium restaurants and cocktail bars, most recently as the Group Beverage Creative for the Ghanem Group venues across Brisbane and Melbourne, curating their cocktail lists and training program.

Liam brings a wealth of knowledge in premium spirits and craft cocktails, with a particular interest the stories and science behind what we’re drinking. Over the years he has placed well in numerous state and national cocktail competitions, including Australian Bartender of the Year runner up for 2 consecutive years. He’s particularly passionate about Rum, Amaro, cold Martinis and warm welcomes.

He’s currently undertaking his Certificate in Scotch Whisky.