Tales of the Cocktail Foundation is pleased to announce a scholarship opportunity for Tales of the Cocktail 2025. This year, the Scholarship Program is dedicated posthumously to TOTCF Philanthropy & Development Committee member Chris Patino. 

The 2025 submission period is January 7 – February 9, 2025. 

Applications are due by Feb. 9, 2025!

Recipients of the 2025 Tales of the Cocktail Scholarship will be notified in March 2025.

To learn more, click here.

Please see below the criteria the Committee will use when reviewing applications

• Overall: Was the applicant thorough and clear
• Contribution: How does the applicant intend to contribute to the Tales of the Cocktail community?
• Impact: What is the potential impact of the attendee attending Tales and reaching their goals?
• Growth and Development: How does the applicant demonstrate personal and professional growth over the past 3-5 years?

Scholarship recipients will receive:

• VIP Week-Long Seminar & Tasting pass to Tales of the Cocktail 2025
• Complimentary hotel room at the TOTC host hotel
• Key networking opportunities with industry leaders
• A flight stipend

You can submit your proposal through our open portal from January 7 until 11:59 PM
CST on February 9, 2025.

Eligibility requirements:

• Applicants are required to be 21+ years of age by July 20, 2025. Tales of the
  Cocktail will take place July 20-25, 2025.
• U.S.-based and international applicants are welcome to apply, and there is no
  restriction on location.
• Visa Invitation Letters will be provided for international recipients; visas are not
  guaranteed
• Application is open to those currently working in the service industry, including
  Bartenders, FOH, BOH, Managers, Production, and Nonprofits that support the
  F&B industry.

Tales of the Cocktail Foundation’s Philanthropy & Development Committee is composed of key industry stakeholders who advise the committee on promoting the welfare of the global hospitality industry. The Committee advises on the Foundation’s entire suite of giving efforts, including, but not limited to, grant-giving and direct relief, Beyond the Bar activations and Day of Service, policy and advocacy work, and non-profit partnerships.

Tales of the Cocktail Foundation makes an intentional, ongoing effort to ensure that individuals from distinct geographical, racial, ethnic, socio-economic, gender, and other distinguishable backgrounds and experiences are included in our programming. Applications will be initially reviewed blind to ensure bias is removed when selecting applicants. The Committee will then review the full application to ensure the selection of scholarship recipients is well-rounded and thoughtful.

The 2025 Scholarship application is designed with the intention to be inclusive to a variety of global voices. If English is not your first language and/or you feel more comfortable, you may submit a description of your application in video format. Please reach out to megan@talesofthecocktail.org if you would like to pursue this option.

Please email Tales of the Cocktail Foundation at grants@talesofthecocktail.org with any questions or concerns about the 2025 scholarship process.

There is not an option to extend the scholarship application process.

You will receive an email with an update on your application status in March 2026.