Garnish with a twist: Jim Meehan at TEDxRVA

In the spirit of all things spirits (of the cocktail sort), Mixologist Jim Meehan is more than a bartender. He is a product designer, contributing journalist to several food and wine publications, and author of "The PDT Cocktail Book." A book inspired by his world famous speakeasy Please Don't Tell, located in New York City and winner of the first-ever 2012 James Beard Award for Outstanding Bar Program. Jim has worked in nearly every capacity of the hospitality industry. A native of Chicago and schooled in Wisconsin, he has achieved critical acclaim for his work behind several high profile bars in New York City including Gramercy Tavern. When not managing his bar, you will find him on the road at numerous trade shows as well as lecturing at training programs for bartenders around the country. Spurred by a never-ending thirst for more knowledge and his belief in the transformative power of authentic hospitality, Jim's commitment to mentor the next generation of service industry professionals is only divided by his duties as a proud father, devoted husband and doting companion to his French Bulldog. He continues to fine-tune the recipe for the perfect blend of career and family time. In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)