Editorial Team - The Tasting Panel Magazine

Publisher and Executive Editor MERIDITH MAY

Meridith is responsible for the branding and content of THE TASTING PANEL and has successfully increased the magazine's circulation and readership in the past seven years. It has become the fastest growing, most widely distributed publication for the beverage industry.

Her background in radio (KIIS-FM, KLSX and KABC in Los Angeles) and newspaper (Santa Barbara News Press restaurant columnist) - combined with her knowledge of food, wine and spirits - gives her an edge in understanding the changing trends of the industry.

Meridith co-owns THE TASTING PANEL with Anthony Dias Blue.

Editor-in-Chief ANTHONY DIAS BLUE

Anthony Dias Blue is the recipient of a 2001 James Beard Foundation Award as well as the 1997 Communicator of the Year Award from the prestigious International Wine & Spirits Competition in London. He is one of the most influential food and wine personalities in the United States. His work in various media is circulated to more than 30 million global consumers and trade members each month. He can be found in print periodicals, on radio, in bookstores and in cyberspace.

For more than two decades, Anthony was associated with Bon Appétit, the largest-circulation food publication in the United States, his influential consumer-oriented "Blue Lifestyle Minute" radio program is broadcast several times each weekday on WCBS New York and KABC Los Angeles, while the two-hour "Blue Lifestyle" program airs in 30 markets across the country.

Anthony Dias Blue is Executive Director of the San Francisco International Wine Competition, the nation's largest and most prestigious wine judging event, and is also the founding Director of its sister event, the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

In April of 2007, Anthony Dias Blue joined forces with Meridith May to purchase and rebrand THE TASTING PANEL as a nationwide beverage industry publication.

Managing Editor DAVID GADD

David Gadd has been active with Anthony Dias Blue's Blue Lifestyle organization since 1996, having worked on projects as diverse as the "Blue Lifestyle Minute" and Anthony Dias Blue's Pocket Guide to Wine, among many others. He continues to manage the day-to-day operations of THE TASTING PANEL and contribute the occasional "Gadd's Sixpack" beer review column to the magazine, as well as writing and photographing frequent departmental and feature stories.

Senior Editor RACHEL BURKONS

Multi-talented (and very busy) Rachel Burkons frequently writes features and departmental pieces for THE TASTING PANEL, as well as photographing stories, conducting interviews and hosting segments of the magazine's "Taste Buds" radio program. She travels extensively to represent THE TASTING PANEL regionally and internationally, and oversees additional projects, including special issues and various catalogs and brochures produced for THE TASTING PANEL's many clients.

Assistant Executive Editor NICOLETTE TEO

Nicolette Teo handles editorial tasks and manages traffic for the magazine's busy publishing schedule. She also coordinates logistics for THE TASTING PANEL's heavy nationwide events schedule. An Olympic swimmer, Nicolette can be found in the closest pool in her spare time.

Editorial Assistant BREANNE DEMORE

Breanne recently joined THE TASTING PANEL team as the Editorial Assistant. Helping with proof-reading, copy-writing and general administrative duties, she is eager to learn as much as she can about the beverage and magazine industries.

Advertising, Promotions and Finance Team

Advertising Director SARA DECKERS

Sara brings her experience working for the Pepsi Bottling Group's off-premise sales and marketing division and, at THE TASTING PANEL, will oversee various aspects of production. She works directly with the editorial team to provide marketing for both new and established brands. Her companion, Louie, is the office mascot.

Trade Marketing Specialist NATASHA SWORDS

Natasha entered into the wine and spirits industry as a journalist almost 20 years ago, working her way up to Editor of the European-based, business-to-business publication Off-License Magazine. She later moved to the United States to take editorship of Patterson's California Beverage Journal, precursor of THE TASTING PANEL. Natasha later entered into PR as TGIC Importers Public Relations and Communications Manager.

Her expertise in trade marketing for the wine and spirits industry addresses the core of THE TASTING PANEL's greatest asset: the ability to help licensees elevate sales and drive business.

Click here for bios of many of our contributors.