Jackson Cannon is Boston.com Cocktail Club’s host and bar director for Eastern Standard and The Hawthorne. The veteran craft cocktail leader opened Eastern Standard in 2005 as Bar Manager, quickly cementing the neighborhood brasserie’s reputation as one of the country’s best bars, known for its attention to properly crafted cocktails and unwavering hospitality in a high-volume environment. The iconic, expansive program offering more than 60 classic and new creations secured national attention and earned Cannon “Bartender of the Year” award from Nightclub & Bar magazine in 2011. Cannon introduced the next iteration of his vision when he opened The Hawthorne, an experience centered in his commitment to thoughtfully crafted cocktails, continued cocktail/spirits education, and curating exceptional moments for guests. The Hawthorne has received numerous local and national accolades, including a semifinalist award for James Beard Foundation’s “Outstanding Bar Program” in 2014 and 2015, and winning Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Award for “Best Hotel Bar” in 2017. Cannon was a finalist for “Best Bar Mentor” at the 2013 and 2014 Spirited Awards and a 2014 Wine Enthusiast Wine Star Award nominee for “Mixologist/Brand Ambassador of the Year.”

Van Hongthong was born and raised on Long Island, NY and moved to Massachusetts with his wife early in 2012. A chance dinner reservation at Baldwin Bar in Woburn, MA would provide the spark for a very eventful 10 years behind the stick. Although Van had no experience, owner and cocktail innovator, Ran Duan felt a connection to him during his dinner there and offered him a position on the team when it was in its infancy. The three plus years he spent there formed his bedrock understanding of craft cocktails and hospitality. A stint at The Bancroft helped Van hone his fine dining chops putting him on solid ground as Bar Manager for Island Creek Oyster Bar Burlington, where he developed into a thoughtful mentor and team leader. He has won many awards including the Patrón Aficionados Tour, Amaro Montenegro Competition Boston and GQ Bombay Saphire's Most Imaginative Bartender in which he consistently finished strong locally and took second place Nationally in 2015. In his new position as Off-Premise Specialist New England for Maison Ferrand, Van has taken his passion for great drinks and experiences into the realm of supplier service and education. His other interests include home cooking, fly fishing, the compound bow and a hands off approach to home gardening.

Tersillia Valentin was born and raised in Boston, MA, and has been in the hospitality industry for over 14 years. Like so many, she got her start as a host and server but then transitioned to the back of house for a few year's stint as a line cook. Wanting to learn every aspect of the industry led Tersillia to work all the jobs she could, busser, barback, expeditor etc, inevitably leading to positions behind bars in New York and Boston. Along with her close network, she keeps busy on several passion projects including virtual bartending lessons complete with craft cocktail kits and executing Afro-Caribbean food and drink pop-ups. Currently you can find her as part of the team at Black Lamb in Boston's South End .

@ urbanwildflower [instagram and twitter]
@ blacklambbos
@ rootsandlibations
@ culturekravings

Marsha Lindsey was born and raised in Egleston Square in inner city Boston. She has over 15 years experience as a bartender. It all started for her in 2007 when she worked late nights cocktail waitressing and bartending at a less than savory establishment in Oxford, Ma. Gaining that experience allowed her a way back to Boston where she moved into the nightclubs city scene. Stints in New York, Miami, and Vegas would follow and when the time was right, she returned again to her hometown. This time working in a fine dining Italian while simultaneously attending college for funeral science. North End was next where she was the first black female bartender ever in that particular neighborhood. Presently at SRV in the historic South End where she has been for almost 5 years, she notes 'it is the healthiest and most satisfying work environment she's been apart of.

@srvboston @marsha_therese