In 2010, the Tales of the Cocktail festival held annually in New Orleans, announced a $25,000 scholarship opportunity for former cocktail apprentices. After an intense judging process, eight former apprentices were selected to receive funding for everything from advanced bartending courses to develop a universal language for describing cocktails and spirits.
“It was inspiring to review the scholarship applications,” said Charlotte Voisey, a member of the scholarship selection committee. “We are very grateful for this opportunity to further our mission, by providing unique, educational opportunities to such talented industry professionals,” said Paul G. Tuennerman.
The apprentice program was founded in 2008 through a partnership between Tales of the Cocktail, Cointreau and the New Orleans Culinary and Cultural Preservation to give up-and-coming cocktail professionals the opportunity to learn from the world’s most influential mixologists while at Tales of the Cocktail.
The 2011 Cocktail Apprentice Scholarship Recipients:
Mike Ryan (Head Bartender, Sable Bar and Restaurant-Chicago)
Navarro Carr (Bartender, The Sound Table-Atlanta)
Thomas Klus (Bartender, Teardrop Cocktail Lounge-Portland)
Nicholas Jarrett and Brad Farran (Bartenders, Clover Club-Brooklyn)
Rhiannon Enlil (Bartender, Cure-New Orleans)
Don Lee (Bartender and Consultant, New York)
Sharon Floyd (Bartender, Iris-New Orleans)
Sudeep Rangi (Bartender, Smuggler’s Cove-San Francisco)
For more information on Tales of the Cocktail, visit www.talesofthecocktail.com.
