Friends and colleagues remember the massive impact he has had on the drinks industry and the many people he affected.Rich Manning is a writer and spirits and food competition judge based in Los Angeles. He has been writing about spirits, wine, beer, food and travel since 2004.Chris Patino was beloved in the bar world. This was evident during his final public appearance at the most recent, the San Diego-based trade event he co-founded.
“I think that one of the most impactful things about Chris was his desire to help people find the greatness in themselves,” says Erin Hayes, bar consultant and co-founder of the. “He watched as I took steps forward in my career and was always quick to say congratulations, but also made sure to mention that he was proud of my accomplishments.”
Patino’s magnetic persona and love for the drinks community made him a natural fit to emcee large-scale cocktail events.