Gabriel Urrutia’s irrepressible energy, passion and enthusiasm is inspiring, so it’s no
surprise that he makes connections and forges friendships wherever he travels.
His unconventional approach to work, formidable drive and natural charisma has
enabled him to travel the globe as a consultant for several high-profile alcohol
brands, author a bestselling book, achieve his MBA, and become a professor at
Florida International University, one of the most prestigious hospitality schools in the
world.

He also featured in Wine Enthusiast’s 40 Under 40 Tastemakers of America, which
celebrates the top experts and connoisseurs in the wine and spirits industry, and he
achieved all this whilst raising a young family, whose unconditional love and support
he credits as being key to his success.

Born in Miami, to a Cuban mother and a father who originated from Chile, he takes
great pride in his dual heritage, and describes his upbringing as being a wonderful
“synergy of culture, food and Latin hospitality”. Both his parents have a strong work
ethic, and although Gabriel is determined to be an individual and follow his own path,
a pride in his work and determination to succeed are characteristics that he’s
undoubtedly inherited.

He’s also a great believer in giving back to the local community through charitable
donations and is involved in several philanthropic efforts: “That is something I hold
dear to my heart, whether it be preserving Miami’s history through the local museum,
or getting involved with local charitable and educational initiatives, I want to give back
and use my skills and experience to help make the city a better place to live.”

A Unique Blend of Culture
Gabriel grew up in Miami, which he describes as being a “melting pot of cultures” and
unlike any other place in America. A broadly Spanish-speaking city due to its large
Latin population, it boasts some of the “best bars in the world,” and it is this unique
blend of culture that inspires Gabriel in his work.

In fact, his bestselling book ‘Miami’s Cocktails’ could provide no greater testament to
both the pride he takes in his city and his extensive knowledge of it, from the
exclusive venues to the local people, and the Latin culture that both defines and
unites them. “I wanted to create a compendium of cocktails, but more than that, I
wanted to show people all the extraordinary things that Miami is capable of.”
Gabriel had never written a book before, but he knew that Miami was a city like no
other and had a thousand stories to tell, so he decided to contact the biggest
publisher in the USA and pitch his idea. His unwavering belief in the city that helped
raise him proved not to be misplaced because ‘Miami’s cocktails’ went on to become
a bestseller, receiving a 2020 nomination from the Tales of the Cocktail Spirited
Awards, the “Oscars of the hospitality industry.”

Achieving the Extraordinary
He brings over 20 years’ experience to his role as a wine, beer & spirits educator,
having worked in such diverse fields as marketing, distributing and consultancy for
several internationally recognized alcohol brands, where he gained a wealth of
experience in event planning and other commercial aspects of the business. He was
also regional director of a prestigious winery in California, where he managed 13
states for the company. And so, as a rum connoisseur who considers rum his favorite
spirit, he views it as both an honor and a privilege to work in Miami, a city who loves
rum as their native spirit. “Innovation and individuality are the main driving forces in
my career, and my role as a hospitality professional allows me to flex my creative
muscles, create programs, take risks, and achieve the extraordinary.”

Gabriel describes the hospitality industry as being akin to his “religion,” which is why
it’s unlikely that you’ll find anyone better suited to share the history and heritage of
spirit brands and the incredible stories that live in this world. You can sense Gabriel’s
passion in the way he approaches his work, every word that he writes, and the way
he engages with each person that he meets. And it’s very clear within minutes of
meeting him that his unique skill set and uplifting personality enables him to excel at
connecting people and celebrating what brings us together — a sense of unity that
perfectly epitomizes much of what he represents.

Creating Opportunities for the Next Generation
In his previous roles, he has conducted over 500 training sessions for hospitality
professionals, while drawing on his insights, creativity and knowledge to develop over
200 fresh and exciting cocktail menus. And it is this experience that allows him to
excel in his role as an ambassador to the industry, creating pairing menus, organizing
events and dinners, and educating people about the craft of making wine and spirits.
He thrives when he’s out in Miami, engaging people with his story and the history of
Miami, sharing his almost encyclopedic knowledge of both the city and the brand,
and offering people a whole new perspective on the drinking experience, all in
Gabe’s own inimitable style.

However, one of the most rewarding aspects of his job that he takes the most pride in
is using his position and experience to help the next generation, whether it be
enrolling students on training programs or using his connections to help them take
their first step on the career ladder. “There was no help when I was growing up, so I
want them to know that I’m always here for them to offer mentorship, advice or even
just a friendly ear.” Because in Gabriel’s eyes, this isn’t just about accelerating his
career, or working with a brand that he admires, it’s about helping to elevate the Latin
people and the city that he adores.