Maurice DiMarino is a native of San Diego and worked for 10 years in the San Francisco restaurant industry. Today, he serves as the beverage director for the Cohn Restaurant Group, overseeing wine, beer, and spirits programs for 26 restaurants across San Diego, Long Beach, and Maui. Maurice is a certified sommelier, certified cicerone®, and CRT certified in Tequila. Maurice was an instructor at SDSU's Wine Business Program for approximately 10 years. He is the chief spirits judge for the San Diego International Wine & Spirits Competition and has judged both wine & spirits at the LA International Wine & Spirits Competition, Sommelier Challenge, Ramona Vintners Association Wine Competition, USA Ratings, and Distiller's Challenge. He has presented wine and spirits seminars across the United States at top beverage conferences and serves as an advisory board member to VIBE and Somm Con.