John was selected in 2008 by bartending legend Dale Degroff to participate in the “Bar Chef Challenge” at Tales of The Cocktail in New Orleans, shocking the cocktail world by taking first place. Furthermore, he was awarded Canton Bartender of the Year in 2009, won the Hennessey Art of Mixing, and the Bols Global Cocktail Challenge to name a few.
In 2009 he was chosen by the founding members of BAR (Beverage Alcohol Resource) to receive the “Chuck O’Conner Scholarship”.