Tales of the Cocktail, in its on-going effort to support and cultivate the international bartending community, has established a new scholarship program that will allow 10 former apprentices to complete the prestigious Beverage Alcohol Resource (B.A.R.) Program. These 10 recipients will receive a scholarship valued at $3,800 and a $500 travel stipend to attend the 11th B.A.R. five-day Spirits & Mixology Certification Program, happening at New York's Astor Center on September 23–27. Tales of the Cocktail will have an additional merit based scholarship of $10,000 in funding for various projects and educational experiences such as traveling to distilleries and book publications.
Founded and run by six of the biggest names in mixology—Steve Olson, Dale DeGroff, Andy Seymour, Doug Frost, David Wondrich, and F. Paul Pacult—the B.A.R. Program has become one of the most revered mixology training programs in the country. This scholarship is open to former apprentices of Tales of the Cocktail from the past five years.
B.A.R. scholarship recipient William Ellis Dollard says, “The Cocktail Apprentice Program changed my life back in 2010 with the amount I learned about the industry and the people I met. If it wasn't for the program, I would not have the jobs I have now, or the wonderful place to live. I think the educational opportunity offered to CAP’s from past years is a wonderful way to give back to the community and create a larger, well-rounded group of educated and talented service industry professionals. I look forward to working hard to pass B.A.R. and continuing my education.”
Another B.A.R. 2013 recipient, Bradford Knutson, says, “I take a tremendous amount of pride in being a small town bartender who was selected for this generous honor. The Tales of the Cocktail Apprentice Program has been, and continues to be, the most inspiring, exciting and gratifying aspect of my career behind the bar. Tales of the Cocktail and the B.A.R. program have educated and inspired a whole new generation of bartenders and have been instrumental in bringing respect to the bartender and improved the customer experience in bars and restaurants worldwide. These programs have also resulted in creating an incredible family of bartenders, and brought to me some of my dearest friends.”
The new B.A.R. scholarship program joins the already established Cocktail Apprentice Scholarship program, which is now in its third year. This program was established to give former apprentices the opportunity to pursue educational opportunities and research projects that help them further their own cocktail knowledge and benefit the cocktail industry as a whole.
The 2013 Cocktail Apprentice Scholarship recipients are:
- Justin Briggs, Brand Ambassador, Imbue Cellars, Brooklyn, New York, Class of 2011
- Jade Brown-Godfrey, Bartender, Pouring Ribbons, Brooklyn, New York, Class of 2011, 2012
- Sylvia (Sly) Cosmopolous, Corporate Mixologist National Accounts, Republic National Distributing Company, Dallas, Texas, Class of 2009
- Cris Dehlavi, Head Bartender, M Restaurant, Brand Ambassador for St-Germain, Columbus, Ohio, Class of 2012
- Billy Dollard, Bartender, Dram, Brooklyn, New York, Class of 2010
- Sean Frederick, Bartender, Citizen Public House, Boston, Class of 2011
- Kate Gerwin, Operations Consultant, BarMagic, Las Vegas, Class of 2012
- Bradford Knutson, Bartender, Swing Wine Bar, Representative for Pilchuck Distributors, Inc. Olympia, Washington, Class of 2012
- Connor Mansager, Bartender, The Woodsman Tavern, Portland, Oregon, Class of 2012
- Adam Robinson, Bartender, Rum Club, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, Class of 2010, 2011, 2012
