The Foundation Debuts its Grants Committee, Seminars Under New Leadership
NEW ORLEANS, LA, May 7, 2018 – Tales of the Cocktail Foundation (TOTCF) is thrilled to share details of its newly formed Grants Committee and present its seminar lineup for the 16th Annual Tales of the Cocktail® being held in New Orleans July 17th to 22nd, 2018.
Tales of the Cocktail Foundation’s Grants Committee is comprised of a dozen esteemed beverage professionals from across the country who will help allocate funds to support the industry and further the Foundation’s mission and core values. In 2018, TOTCF has committed to distributing $250,000 in grants to benefit the industry. The committee will work collaboratively to assess applications for grants and determine the best use of funding. This year’s committee is comprised of:
- Colin Appiah, Bacardi
- Tiffanie Barriere, The Drinking Coach & Drinking with the Girls
- Eric Bennett, Carrigan’s Public House
- Cris Dehlavi, CAP White Coat
- Angie Fetherson, Drink Company
- Alba Huerta, Julep
- Nandini Khaund, Spirit Guide
- Don Lee, Cocktail Kingdom
- Lynnette Marrero, Speed Rack
- Morgan Schick, Bon Vivants
- Kellie Thorn, Empire State South
- Rocky Yeh, Maison Ferrand
“We are so grateful at the reception the newly formed grants program has received and feel lucky to have such a talented group serve as the first-ever committee,” said Caroline Rosen, Executive Director of Tales of the Cocktail. It is crucial to us that this program is designed for, governed by, and serving the industry to the best of its ability. With this group, we know it will surpass our hopes and expectations.”
Simultaneously, 59 compelling, original seminars have been curated that collectively best display Tales’ commitment to education, advancement, and support for the larger beverage community. This year’s seminar topics address virtually every aspect of the cocktail and spirits industries, and are presented by some of the industries’ most highly regarded professionals.
New to this year is a series of “101 seminars,” one-hour educational programming covering a foundational knowledge of particular spirits categories and offering a framework of knowledge specific to the topic. Typically taught by respected industry experts volunteering their time, 101s are aimed at both bartenders new to the profession, and experienced bartenders looking to hone in on a particular subject. 101 seminars will include tastings and category knowledge independent of sponsors. This new offering will be introduced at half-price in order to provide a greater range of access to educational offerings.
Seminars are chosen through a highly selective process by a panel of discerning judges hailing from countries across the globe. Philip Duff has headed the committee for five years in identifying thought-provoking seminars from different voices within the industry that cover a broad range of topics, ensuring that attendees will have the ability to construct a seminar schedule tailored to their specific desires and interests.
“Philip and the committee have shown great commitment to making sure this year’s seminar selection is reflective of what the industry has been asking for,” said Neal Bodenheimer, Board Member of Tales of the Cocktail Foundation. “They have been tremendous about consulting a seemingly infinite number of stakeholders in the cocktail and spirits community to create reflective, diverse offerings that embody our new mission and vision.”
Tickets are now on sale for the general public. All registered attendees with a NET ticket value of $150 or more in event tickets (after discounts, not including fees; excluding Spirited Dinners and Spirited Awards) linked to their RFID wristband have free access to all Tasting Rooms. Tasting Room access will also be available for purchase a la carte. To view the full list of seminar descriptions and find further information on the grants process, please visit TalesoftheCocktail.org.
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About Tales of the Cocktail
Founded in 2002, Tales of the Cocktail has grown from a small gathering of cocktail lovers into the world’s premier cocktail festival. Each year the international spirits industry is welcomed to New Orleans for a week of seminars, tastings, networking events and much more. With 200+ annual events developed specifically for bartenders, distillers and other spirits professionals, Tales of the Cocktail is the industry’s annual meeting place for the exchange of new ideas, products and techniques.
About Tales of the Cocktail Foundation
Tales of the Cocktail Foundation is an non-profit organization that educates, advances and supports the global hospitality industry and creates lasting impact in our host communities. Tales of the Cocktail Foundation is the global leader in spirits education and a platform to tackle issues facing the industry. The pillars of the Foundation are to Educate, Advance and Support the hospitality industry through programs that benefit individuals and organizations in the community and to make lasting impact in communities that host our events.
Media Inquiries:
Gia Vecchio, [email protected], 917.280.5043
