Beverage Development Team
Dan Shorten
VP Beverage, Master Mixologist
MBURS LLC, Las Vegas NV
"If you don't achieve it, then somebody else will!"
Simply put...have dreams and don't sleep on them.
That's the way I choose to succeed.
Dan grew up in Silver Spring, Maryland...went to McDaniel College to play basketball...graduated with a bachelor's degree in business...and became a bartender.
Now, he is honored to lead at the most dynamic hotel on the Las Vegas strip, The Cosmopolitan @ the multiple award winning "Vesper" bar. A bar that brought mixology back to the prohibition era with innovative cocktails, decor and always appreciated "barkeep" mentality.
Prior to that, Dan has worked and consulted with MGM properties and Caesars organizations as well as Marriott International. Developing and mixing some of Vegas’s most innovative and popular cocktails.
He has been the lead mixologist for Bacardi and has done substantial work with nonalcoholic beverage development with companies like Freshbev RIPE juices.
He has competed in many Mixology Competitions around the US and has brought back the gold in some of the most prestigious, including the Vegas Sauza Tequila Margarita event in the last year.
Dan has been working with Chef Matt and MBURS for about 4 years on various projects from national accounts menus to new product development and the development of full brand new hotel beverage program for Hard RocK.
It has been said about Dan, that the only thing better than his drinks is his customer service! A true “Barkeep” no matter what his position, making sure his clients are always happy!
Kersten Kosek Cleinmark
Director of Beverage Strategy
MBURS LLC, Chicago IL
Kersten has experience in multiple restaurant categories starting her career with Olive Garden, working in front and back of the house. Her love of the bar started in Tampa opening Harpos nightclub where she studied and mastered the art of speed bartending. Working doubles and late nights following her passion all while working for Logan’s Roadhouse full time.
Soon Kersten was recruited, and with her drive for advancement she decided to go corporate and got hired as a bar manager for RDG of Chicago. Kersten managed more than one of their concepts which included Bar Louie. RDG was known for their extensive martini menu, high volume bartending managers, and exceptional customer service. She was in charge of quality control, daily operations of the front of the house, controlling liquor cost, inventory, and scheduling. Kersten also worked as a corporate trainer, opening new stores around the country.
Kersten has known Chef matt for years, and helps direct MBURS beverage program for clients like Hard Rock, Buffalo Wild Wings, Hotel Equities and others.
With over 25 years of experience in the industry she has worked your local pub, corporate restaurant, and under awarded chef’s in fine dining. Whatever the concept, her training and execution are the same. Cleanliness, attention to detail, exceptional customer service, consistency, proper training, menu knowledge, and keeping team moral up to create a unique experience and relationship with each individual guest. Kersten’s passion pours into each cocktail she makes, or each smile she creates.
