FOUNDERS

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 Conner is a native of Salt Lake City, Utah. He is very popular behind the stick and his charming style of bartending only matches his solid technique. He has been a bartender for over seven years, primarily in fine dining in Salt Lake City, most notably at Hotel Monaco's Vault. He moved to NYC over a year ago and SM is his first bartending venture in the city. He had to relearn all the classic recipe specs as Utah uses considerably less alcohol in those recipes.
He is currently enrolled in Graduate School at Fordham University, studying Philosophy.
Conner loves reading classic literature, watching foreign movies, traveling. His physical activity of choice is paddle boarding. An avid hip-hop fan, he loves going to shows in his home borough of The Bronx and around the City. 

 Antoinette is a Latina born and raised in the Bronx. During the day, Antoinette works as a federal prosecutor in Brooklyn. She just won her first trial against a defendant who stole over $600 million through a health care fraud scheme. Before that, Antoinette worked for Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign in 2016 and spent six years in the Obama White House (2010-2016) while attending Georgetown Law at night.

But every Monday night you’ll find her behind the stick at Sugar Monk, preparing one of your favorite classic cocktails. She is honored to bartend in Harlem where her mother grew up.
She wanted to explore more deeply her passion for cocktails through bartending as a creative outlet. She is now thrilled to have joined the Sugar Monk team and we are equally happy for her contribution.

If that wasn't enough, she is also the founder of a non-profit @latinx44 where they recently awarded scholarships to eight Hispanic students to fund their unpaid public service summer internships. 

   Born in Chicago, raised in Houston, and seasoned in the kitchens of Columbia, SC, Caesar Stovall, a former US Army Medical Sergeant, cultivated his healing skills at Ft Sam Houston, incorporating herb and plant medicine during his oversea service in Afghanistan. 

He transitioned to a successful international modeling career in NYC for the likes of Tom Ford and Givenchy, among others. 

He soon discovered his true passion for mixology and hospitality. Today, Caesar thrives as a mixologist and tasting specialist. He has been collaborating with prestigious spirits brands like Moet-Hennessy, William H Grant and Sons, and Barbancourt.

 Kellyrose is an actor and a writer, born in the Bronx, NY. She holds a graduate degree in Arts and Politics from University College of London.
She developed a taste for the theatre early on which has taken her all over America and Europe. In addition to acting, Kellyrose is also an educator and has taught theatre and play internationally to both children and adults in non-traditional environments such as migrant facilities and detention centers in Europe and the USA. When she is not acting or teaching, you can find her at Sugar Monk where she has “been delighted to work for a full year and learned a great deal about the art of mixology”. We are equally delighted to have her take excellent care of our guests several nights a week. Her diverse background only enhances her attributes.     

  Originally from St. Louis, MO, Brooke spent the past ten years in Los Angeles, CA, pursuing a career as a professional dancer and artist, in addition to bartending and serving in various establishments.  During her time in Los Angeles, she was blessed to have both taught and danced in many shows and choreographed music videos. Also, an entrepreneur, she owned and operated Ritch Magic, a small business that focused on holistic self-care and specialized in handmade crystal jewelry, body oils, fragrances, and soy wax meditation candles. Brooke recently moved to NYC to further advance her career in dance, choreography and holistic health.

Jonathan Rud was born and raised in Savannah, Georgia. He developed a passionate interest in music at a young age, enrolling in piano and clarinet lessons by his middle school years. He attended Georgia Southern University pursuing a degree in Clarinet Performance. During his time at university, he began working in hospitality. In September of 2023, he moved to NYC to continue in that field and gather more skills in mixology and fine dining. In his free time, if he isn’t exploring the city, he can be found at home with his dog, Banana Bread, and cat, Waffles. 

  Lee was born and raised in the Bronx, NY. She studied photography at the Mohawk Valley College in UTICA, NY. During the day she works as a barista and staff trainer at Starbucks. At night, she is one of our kitchen chefs or bar assistant. She is very excited to be learning the craft of cocktail making and aspires to eventually become a bartender. Lee has become very fast one of our valuable family members showing passion for hospitality and proving complete dedication to the team and our establishment.  On her free time, she likes to work out and going around town with friends, discovering new bars and restaurants.  

Trunks is a multidisciplinary artist from New Orleans. He studied at The New Orleans Center for creative arts. He now lives in New York pursuing an education in the arts. Hailing from a gourmet background as both of his parents have degrees in the culinary arts. Trunks has been taught in traditional french cuisine and is now applying his talents at Sugar Monk. His mother is the Owner of a prominent catering company in New Orleans; Amaris Catering and Events. They work every major festival in New Orleans such as but not limited to Essence and Jazz fest. Feeding the likes of Jill Scott and Michelle Obama. Since loosing an eye at a young age Trunks has always had a special perspective in this world. He sees like no one else and is eager to show how he interacts with this reality!