International Judging Panel
Our prestigious panel of judges are truly international and are made up of the best buyers, retailers and experts in the tabletop industry
Melissa Miner
Melissa Miner is an energetic, seasoned communications professional with a distinguished career in driving top-line revenue within the retail media and interactive formats. With over 30 years of comprehensive experience, she is currently a high-valued on-air talent at ShopHQ/iMedia Brands, utilized for her mastery of live, unscripted “soft” sell presentations and promotions resulting in over 20,000 hours of live TV home shopping and over a $1B in sales across multiple brands. Over her tenure in the home shopping industry, Melissa has expanded her product category knowledge and experience, producing the same high caliber presentation and revenue results. A few of the top examples of the brands she has represented on air include: Apple, Samsung, Waterford Crystal, Wedgwood, Royal Albert, Johnson Brothers, Gucci, Versace, Disney, Michael Kors, Mackenzie Childs, Paula Dean, Suzanne Somers, Donny Osmond, and Dr. Dubrow
Amara
Sam Hood, founder and creative director of Amara, a leader in the online luxury interiors market working with some of the biggest names in tableware. www.amara.com
T is for Table
Michele Trzuskowski, owner of independent luxury tabletop boutique T is for Table, which has stores in Florida and Colorado
The Studio of Tableware, New Zealand
Jocelyn Wilson, owner of this long-established and successful independent luxury tableware store in Auckland
Rustan’s Department Store
Cecilia P. Hermoso, home division manager and Kara Francesca L. Honculada, merchandising manager, of Rustan’s, the leading luxury department store in the Philippines. The home department offers the best tabletop brands globally. www.rustans.com.ph
Parousiasi
Mary Sarafidis, managing director of Parousiasi, a chain of 45 luxury tabletop and giftware stores in Greece, offering more than 40 international tableware brands. www.parousiasi.gr
William Ashley
Jackie Chiesa, president, William Ashley, a store in Toronto, Canada, that has been setting and accessorising tables for 70 years and is opening a new flagship store in Fall 2017. Jackie is renowned for her three decades of tabletop expertise. www.williamashley.com
William & Son
Lucy Asprey, director of homeware, William & Son, a London emporium filled with luxurious and refined items, including exclusive glassware and intricately crafted porcelain.
www.williamandson.com
Goodfellow & Goodfellow
Valda Goodfellow, owner and MD, Goodfellow & Goodfellow, distributors of tableware to the UK hospitality sector with exclusive access to some of the world’s best tableware brands for the UK. www.goodf.co.uk
Glancy Fawcett
Kevin Glancy, business development director, Glancy Fawcett, a company that’s been supplying the finest tableware to the world’s most luxurious superyachts, private aircrafts and luxury residences for 30 years.
www.glancyfawcett.com
Hutter Group
Hermann Hutter, owner of Hutter Group, which has eight housewares and gifts stores in Germany. Hermann is also VP for the German Retail Organisation and VP of the national retail organisation for glass, porcelain and housewares
Donna Ferrari
Donna Ferrari, leading journalist and photo stylist and contributing columnist to Tableware International, Donna has reported on the tabletop industry for more than 35 years.
Lewis Wark
Martyn Lewis, co-owner of Lewis Wark, UK distributor of 14 of the finest luxury tableware and giftware brands in the UK. www.lewiswark.com
Hugh Biber, US
Hugh Biber is a renowned international product designer, strategic brand builder and creative team leader with expertise in tableware and retail
Billy Lloyd, UK
London-based potter and designer, Billy Lloyd has recently become creative director of Monno Design
Brigitte Moulinier, France
Brigitte is a French tabletop designer and illustrator
Jorge Perez
Jorge Perez, Cuban American designer, on-air TV personality and wedding industry icon, Jorge has spent many years enveloped in luxury tabletop and fashion design.
Studio Levien
Robin Levien, co-owner of Studio Levien, which specialises in domestic products, designing tableware, cutlery and glass for clients worldwide. www.studiolevien.com
Nick Holland Design
Nick Holland, creative director and CEO of product design consultancy Nick Holland Design.
www.nickhollanddesign.com
Hospitality Products
John O’Byrne, buyer for the Irish hospitality market will lend his expert, impartial opinion.
Promenu
Elena Vorozheykina, head of retail, at Ukranian retail giant Promenu – winner of a 2020 gia award – will help judge this year’s awards. www.promenu.ua
Table + Dine
Deborah Shearer of Table + Dine, a creative lifestyle brand and marketing studio in the home, tabletop and housewares market. www.tableanddine.com
Dominique Tage
Dominique is a respected freelance tableware designer working in the retail and hospitality sectors. She works with all materials including porcelain, ceramics, glass and melamine.
Leeuwin’s Serviezenhuis
Passionate Dutch tableware retailer will give their opinion on this year’s categories with general manager Amos van Praagh lending his voice.