Cocktail Apprentice Program®

Cocktail Apprentice Program®

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The Cocktail Apprentice Program (CAP) is an exclusive mentorship program for up-and-coming bartenders to learn alongside some of the biggest names in the business during the five days of Tales of the Cocktail. Since 2008, more than 500 apprentices have gained extensive experience working and managing large-scale, high-volume events while providing an invaluable service to Tales of the Cocktail Foundation and the industry as a whole. Tales of the Cocktail Foundation continues to support the growing fraternity of past apprentices by offering exclusive opportunities for scholarships and financial aid to support their growth within the industry further.

CAP Class of 2024 Application Dates & Deadlines

CAP 2024 Grey Coat Applications Open - December 1, 2023 - January 8, 2024 at 11:59 PM ET

CAP 2024 Red Coat Applications Open - December 15, 2023 - February 1, 2024 at 11:59 PM ET

CAP Class of 2024 Announced - May 1, 2024

Cocktail Apprentice Program FAQs

What is the Cocktail Apprentice Program (CAP)?

What are the Cocktail Apprentice Program class levels?

How can I apply for the Cocktail Apprentice Program?

How does Tales of the Cocktail Foundation work to achieve an inclusive culture where everyone is respected and safe?

Am I eligible to participate in the Cocktail Apprentice Program?

I live outside of the United States, do I have a chance at being selected?

Do I have to speak English?

What are the main responsibilities of a first year Cocktail Apprentice, or “Red Coat”?

How many Red Coats (first time Apprentices) are you accepting?

What costs are covered and what costs am I responsible for?

How long am I required to stay in New Orleans?

How much free time will I have?

Can I work any other events during Tales?

Do I have to drink alcohol throughout the week?

Who can I ask about any additional questions?

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Cocktail Apprentice Reimbursement Program

The TOTCF Tuition Reimbursement Program encourages and supports Cocktail Apprentice alumni who enroll in college, university, technical school courses, or hospitality courses in order to obtain an Associate’s, Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctoral, technical degree, or a certificate of completion that has a grade.
This program offers former Cocktail Apprentices opportunities through the Reimbursement Program, Medical Assistance Fund, BAR 5-DayScholarships, and the CAP Scholarship Program that awards grants in various projects bartenders are interested in pursuing.
Any former Cocktail Apprentice can apply for and secure tuition reimbursement benefits.

Cocktail Apprentice BAR 5-Day™ Scholarship

In an ongoing effort to support and cultivate the international bartending community, Tales of the Cocktail Foundation has accepted applications for the Cocktail Apprentice BAR 5-Day Scholarship Program for the past 11 years. Each year, Tales of the Cocktail Foundation (TOTCF) offers members of its Cocktail Apprentice Program (CAP) the opportunity to apply for an exclusive scholarship to participate in the Beverage Alcohol Resource (BAR) 5-Day Program. The 2024 event will be held, February 5-9, 2024, at The Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park in New York. Each recipient will be awarded a scholarship valued at approximately $4,000 for tuition and a travel stipend to attend the upcoming event. This year, Maison Ferrand and Cointreau have partnered with Tales of the Cocktail Foundation to help support this year’s recipients in attending the program.

Since starting the scholarship program, 52 former Cocktail Apprentices have participated in the BAR 5-Day Program. Founded by six of the biggest names in the bartending industry, Dale DeGroff, Doug Frost, Steve Olson, F. Paul Pacult, Andy Seymour, and David Wondrich, the BAR 5-Day Program has gained recognition as one of the top bartender training programs in the country.

To learn more about this year’s recipients, click here to read the announcement.

Cocktail Apprentice Program BAR 5-Day™ Scholarship Archive

2024

2023

2022

2021

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

2013

CAP Community Series

Join CAP alumni for the Full Hands In / Full Hands Out: CAP Community Series for a set of educational online webinar workshops that invite you behind the scenes into the Cocktail Apprentice Program. ⁠These webinar episodes will cover technical subjects and best practices on trends to shifting gears from bartending to brand work, as well as discussions around personal and professional growth, starting your own company, and other social topics.

Webinar Archive

If you weren’t able to join the CAP community for any of the previous webinars, you can find an archive of all recordings here!

CAP Community Series - Batching Part I: Batching 101

CAP Community Series - Batching Part II: Batching 201 Organizing & Executing

CAP Community Series - Personal Growth Part I: From Bartender to Brand presented by Courvoisier

CAP Community Series - Personal Growth Part II: Re-Visioning Your Role in the Hospitality Industry presented by Don Q

CAP Community Series - Future CAP Part I: Cocktail Apprentice Program 101 Q&A presented by Johnnie Walker

CAP Community Series - Future CAP Part II: CAP 2022 Recruitment presented by Tequila Fortaleza

Future CAP Part III: Red Coat 2022 Reminders presented by Perrier

The Cocktail Apprentice Program is Supported by:


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