08/01/2026
Today, we proudly recognize our founder, Mariano Gil Jr.
Mariano recently earned 3rd Place at the 2026 United States Cocktail Championship (USCC), adding another milestone to an extraordinary career that includes two U.S. National Bartending Championships, a Top 20 finish at the IBA World Cocktail Championship, three consecutive Diageo World Class U.S. Southwestern Regional Finals, and 10 consecutive years ranked among the Top 10 American Flair Bartenders by the USBG.
While the accomplishments are meaningful, Mariano’s greatest passion has always been giving back. His mission is to elevate hospitality in Brownsville, Texas, through education, mentorship, and creating opportunities for the next generation of hospitality professionals.
Mariano proudly credits his upbringing in Brownsville and Matamoros for shaping the person he is today. The humility, resilience, and hard-working culture of our border community—along with the discipline he learned through youth soccer—laid the foundation for everything he has accomplished.
No matter where competition takes him, Brownsville is always home.
Congratulations, Mariano! Thank you for continuing to inspire our community and proving that world-class talent can come from the Rio Grande Valley.