We’re excited to introduce three people you’ll be seeing more of at Village Wine & Spirits. Patrick Biarkis went from longtime customer to general manager, Derek Kruger got his start helping his brother set up events and now plans them here, and Eric Morales is back at Village Wine running the Bistro kitchen. Get to know Patrick, Derek, and Eric below, and say hello the next time you stop in.

For Patrick Biarkis, good food and great wine have always been about bringing people together. His love of cooking started at a young age, making dinner with his dad once a week and watching Emeril Live whenever he could. His father introduced him to the world of wine, sparking an appreciation that's stayed with him ever since. Over the past 15-plus years, Patrick has built a career in hospitality, getting his start as a fry cook at the French Embassy in Arcola before moving into leadership roles at the Mattoon and Urbana Country Clubs and working in catering in St. Louis. Most recently, he served as Store Manager at Slumberland Furniture in Mattoon.

As a longtime customer of Village Wine & Spirits, Patrick already felt a connection to the place before joining the team as General Manager. Now, he gets to spend his days doing what he loves most: working with great people, talking about food and wine, and helping guests have a wonderful experience. Patrick believes that enjoying good food and wine shouldn't be complicated or intimidating. Whether you're stopping in for a drink after work, grabbing dinner on a Tuesday, or joining us for a special wine dinner, he wants Village Wine & Spirits to feel like a place where you're always welcome, comfortable, and happy to stay a little longer.

Patrick's favorite grape is Syrah, which he loves for its versatility, rich fruit, and the way it can taste so different depending on where it's grown. He's always happy to talk wine, offer a recommendation, or help someone find a new favorite. For Patrick, the best part of food and wine is the memories made sharing them with others. When he's not at Village Wine & Spirits, you'll likely find him spending time with his wife, Tara, and their boys, Clayton and Colton, playing a round of golf, or cheering on the Bears, Cardinals, and Blues.

For Derek Kruger, the best part of planning an event is bringing people together and seeing them have a great time. His interest in event planning began several years ago when he started helping his brother, a former Event Coordinator at Village Wine & Spirits, organize and set up events. What started as an opportunity to lend a hand quickly became something he genuinely enjoyed, especially the chance to meet new people and be part of their special occasions. Derek has continued building his experience through community involvement, including coordinating volunteers and activities for his church picnic.

As Event Coordinator at Village Wine & Spirits, Derek helps bring everything from intimate birthday celebrations and family gatherings to corporate parties, wine and bourbon tastings, and community favorites like Cruise Night to life. He loves seeing all the planning and preparation come together, but nothing beats watching guests enjoy themselves and knowing he helped make it happen. Derek takes pride in being approachable, attentive, and available throughout the planning process, making sure every guest feels heard and every detail gets the attention it deserves. His goal is simple: help people create wonderful memories without having to worry about the details.

When he's not planning events, Derek enjoys spending time with his family and his dog, Zeke, playing games with friends, reading, and following soccer, a sport he played for many years growing up. His faith and involvement in his church are meaningful parts of his life. Derek has a particular appreciation for bourbon with earthy, rich flavors and a smooth finish, though his drink of choice is a classic Old Fashioned. Whether he's coordinating a large community gathering or helping plan a small family celebration, Derek brings the same friendly attitude and genuine enthusiasm for making people happy.

For Eric Morales, some of his favorite memories were made in his grandmother's kitchen. Growing up, he loved watching his Abuelita cook for a house full of family, filling the table with dishes like her chicken mole and fideo. Those early days sparked a love for cooking that's stayed with him ever since. Eric got his first restaurant job at just 16 years old, washing dishes at the former Carriage Inn in Altamont. From there, he worked his way through the restaurant industry, eventually becoming Kitchen Manager at Buffalo Wild Wings. He's never had formal culinary training, but he's always been eager to learn, try new things, and follow his instincts in the kitchen.

Eric is no stranger to Village Wine & Spirits. He spent five years serving guests at Don Pedro and grew to love the people, the atmosphere, and the friendships he made along the way. So when Boris invited him back to take over the Bistro kitchen, he was thrilled to return. These days, Eric gets to do what he enjoys most: have fun with food and create dishes that surprise people. His cooking brings together the Mexican flavors and spices he grew up with and influences from other cuisines, resulting in dishes that are uniquely his own. He's especially proud of his carnitas tacos and a paella he once prepared for a private wine tasting. For Eric, there's nothing better than setting a beautiful plate in front of someone, watching them take that first bite, and knowing they're enjoying something special.

When he's not cooking at the Bistro, Eric spends much of his time on the soccer field, coaching year-round for the local Midland United club. He still loves cooking at home, especially making soups and finding creative ways to turn familiar dishes into something new. His favorite wine is the Paoloni Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot Blend from Mexico's Valle de Guadalupe, though a cold Corona with lime is always a welcome choice. At the heart of it all, Eric still carries the same love for cooking he learned from his Abuelita: making good food, sharing it with others, and bringing a little happiness to the table.