Personal Bio
Jonathan Stanyard is a Seattle-based, well-versed industry professional from the Bay Area of California. He is the 2024 World Class US Bartender of the Year. Jonathan has over 20 years of experience perfecting the art of hospitality while bartending in and outside restaurants and bars. Over the years, he has grasped how to maximize the potential of raw ingredients while managing waste and time management. Since 2019 he has operated The Bitter Gringo Co., specializing in cocktail consultation, content creation, and recipe development. In 2022, he took the title of World's Best Margarita, which Cointreau deemed so in their Margarita Challenge. Jonathan continues to pursue the craft of hospitality within the food and beverage business while sharing his vast knowledge with his community.
Accomplishments
Single Malt Scotch Whisky Diploma - Edinburgh Whisky Academy
CRT Professionalization in Tequila Culture
Canadian Whiskey Certification
BarSmarts Certified
2024 - World Class US Bartender of the Year
2024 - 2nd Place USBG Shake it up! IBA Cocktail Cup Qualifier
2023 - Top 5 World Class US National Finalist
2023 - 1st Place Le Grand Courtage Cocktail Competition
2023 - 1st Place Underberg & Misguided Spirits Das Uber Mule Competition
2023 - Grand Prize Mr. Boston’s Master Mixologist
2023 - 1st Place Amaro Nonino Seattle Cocktail Competition
2023 - 2nd Place Difford’s Guide & Galliano Espresso Martini Competition
2023 - 2nd Place Licor 43’s Bartender’s & Baristas Challenge
2023 - 1st Place Chopin Recipe Competition for Wheat & Rye
2022 - 1st Place Cointreau’s World’s Best Margarita Global Winner
2022 - Top 15 World Class US National Finalists
2022 - 2nd Place Woodford Reserve Manhattan Experience National Finals
2022 - 2nd Place Gentleman Jack Daniel’s Whiskey Sour Classic National Finals
2022 - 2nd Place USA Licor 43’s Bartender’s & Baristas Challenge
2022 - 1st Place Batte for the Boiron Cup Seattle Cocktail Week
2022 - 1st Place Fastest Hands in the East, Bellevue WA Competition
2021 - Top 10 USA Cognac Connection Challenge Winner
2021 - Top 50 USBG World Class Finalist
2020 - 1st Place Cardenal Mendoza Golden Week Global Competition
2020 - Sombra Sustainable Cocktail Competition Winner
2019 – 1st Place Flying Embers PDXCW Cocktail Competition
2019 – 1st Place NW Food Show Competition by Heritage
2019 –1st Place - Temple Distilling Co-Authored Gin Competition
You can follow me all year long on instagram, click any photo below!
all things bitter
Since 2014, tincture after tincture turned into bottles and more bottles, and that turned into a personalized arsenal of bitters. From aromatic to orange, and apple to rhubarb, I always find the joy in using fresh and local ingredients when the time is right. Like the ever-changing seasons, so are the bitters I craft to elevate your next creation.
Welcome to the home of The Bitter Gringo, founded by myself, Jonathan. I got into the food and beverage industry at a very early age of 14. Starting in the back of the house doing dishes and prep, I quickly found my way to the front of the house. My dedication to perfecting a craft began with hospitality and the dining experience. Over the years, I have expressed my passion by producing captivating cocktails, intriguing infusions, and excellent bitters. After many years of serious batching, blending, and bottling of various bitters, I founded this product line, The Bitter Gringo. At the core of what I do is produce precise and unique small batched bitters and tinctures. Because sometimes a single ingredient is all you need to elevate aroma, flavor or mouthfeel. I hope you find these creations as vital to your next cocktail, low abv beverage, or kitchen creation as I do.
