NEW ORLEANS, LA — Tales of the Cocktail Foundation is proud to announce the 2026 Cocktail Apprentice Program® (CAP) Class. Since its founding in 2008, the Cocktail Apprentice Program has offered rising bar professionals the opportunity to work alongside hospitality’s most respected minds during the annual Tales of the Cocktail conference in New Orleans. Now entering its 18th year, the program has mentored more than 600 apprentices from over 30 countries and continues to serve as a catalyst for professional growth and global community-building within the drinks industry.
This year, 40 first-time apprentices, known as Red Coats, have been selected to join CAP. These emerging talents will work under the guidance of Grey Coats to execute cocktail service across TOTC’s educational seminars and events, including Tales Catalyst and the Spirited Awards. The program provides a hands-on opportunity to strengthen technical skills, build global professional networks, and gain leadership experience in a high-volume environment.
“The Cocktail Apprentice Program is built on the core pillars of mentorship & community, with the primary goal of advancing careers far beyond the bar,” said White Coat Manager, Trevor Kallies. “Each year, we curate a diverse group of forty new Red Coats from a massive pool of global applicants. These individuals each bring unique perspectives and experience to connect and push our industry forward. We are incredibly excited to welcome this 2026 class and the passion each of them demonstrated through their applications. For these bartenders, acceptance is just the Spark; the real fire begins as they immerse themselves in education and professional growth throughout the week of TOTC. Of course, there will be batching and cocktail service in the thousands, and at the highest level, the CAP program is ultimately about joining a supportive space & network specifically designed for the next generation of industry leaders to grow and connect. We can’t wait to see how they redefine the future of our industry.”
This year’s incoming CAP Red Coat class represents a broad geographical range, with apprentices joining from multiple countries, states across the U.S., and Puerto Rico. Apprentices were selected through a competitive process that considers professional experience, future goals, and the ability to work with a fast-paced, global team. The class reflects a balance of both newer and seasoned professionals.
By working directly with seminar presenters, program apprentices hone their skills while gaining insight into both the history and future of their craft. After the conference, apprentices return to their communities equipped to apply their new knowledge and experiences. In addition to technical development, the professional connections and strong sense of camaraderie fostered during the event are consistently cited by alumni as some of the program’s most valuable benefits.
Tales of the Cocktail Foundation would like to thank the 2026 CAP Title Sponsor: Brown-Forman; Presenting Partner: Campari; Supporting Partners: Crown Royal and William Grant & Sons; and CAP Bag Supporters: Bartender Magazine, Maison Ferrand, and Tito’s Handmade Vodka.
Tales of the Cocktail Foundation is pleased to announce the 2026 CAP Class:
2026 Red Coat Apprentices:
Atharva Bhilare
Richmond Station
Toronto, ON, Canada
Kenneth Bones
Attack of the Tatsu
Chattanooga, TN
Priscilla Chanel
The Tryst Hotel
San Juan, Puerto Rico
Ohio Crawford
Overtime Bar / Backyard On Broadway
San Antonio, TX
Harrison Davis
First Mates, Last Laugh
Auckland, New Zealand
Joy Dixon
Nightingale Rooftop Bar & Restaurant
Holly Springs, NC
Mike Dojcsak
Civil Liberties
Hamilton, ON, Canada
Mel Evans
Little Sparrow / Barrel Proof
Atlanta, GA
Kristen Farmer
Donna’s
Houston, TX
Izzi Grasso
Shiku Sushi Ballard
Seattle, WA
Mike Guzman
Blue Door
Charlotte, NC
Kamelletti Haines
Azure at The Tampa Edition
Tampa, FL
Holden Henegar
Nido at The Loren Austin
Austin, TX
Patty Hutchinson
Close Company
Atlanta, GA
Akash Kaliya
Numéro
Montreal, QC, Canada
Max Karlin
Esther’s High Dive
Providence, RI
Mollie Kelly
Roseacre
San Diego, CA
Sanwar Khokhar
Sanjh Restaurant & Bar
Dallas, TX
Ray Lam
San Sabino
New York, NY
Edna Lopez
Jungle Bird
San Juan, Puerto Rico
Lizette Macedo Ortiz
Seed Library NYC
New York, NY
Erwin Mancilla
BXCR
Anaheim, CA
Roger Maxwell
Dear Irving on Hudson
New York, NY
Crystal Mendoza
Death & Co Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA
Sara Morales
SJ Coterie Group / Ro Steakhouse
Coral Gables, FL
Annette Mulama
Educator and Bartender
Nairobi, Kenya
Bear Murphy
Bar Planet
Sydney, NSW, Australia
Krysten Ortiz
The District
Providence, RI
Jeanette Perez
Kinsho / The Roosevelt Room
Austin, TX
Vetle Peterson
Svanen
Oslo, Norway
Connor Piazza
The Portrait Bar
New York, NY
Crystal Rios
Carry On
Phoenix, AZ
Sam Ruth
Darling Cambridge
Boston, MA
Chris Ryan
Neat and Perfect Bartending Company
Seattle, WA
Liz Smith
Moon Bar / Mooncusser
Boston, MA
Carter Stacey
Frogs Hollow Saloon
Brisbane, QLD, Australia
Cassidy Swinsick
Cove Lakeside Bistro
Portage, MI
Monique Vaughan
Station 11/ Railroad UG / Azotea Cantina
Atlanta, GA
Kristina Veltri
Trivoli Tavern
Chicago, IL
Joe Vincent
Taste Innovation Mobile Bar Experience
Philadelphia, PA
2026 Grey Coat Apprentices:
Kaleb Barry
Roka Dubai
Dubai, UAE
Ryan Betts
Palmer and Co.
Sydney, NSW, Australia
Chris Crowley
American Beverage Marketers
Cork, Ireland
Erika Fajilagot
Burnt Ends
Singapore
Sally Groves
The Coldroom
Montreal, QC, Canada
Aliya Harrison
Dorothea Fine Greek
Albuquerque, NM
Zoo Holmström
Mírate
Los Angeles, CA
De’Qustay Johnson
Mobile Bar ATL
Atlanta, GA
Erin Katz
Pony Up
Denver, CO
Rory Kerwin
J.W. Heist
Bozeman, MT
Jess Long
Atwater Cocktail Club
Montreal, QC, Canada
Madeleine MacDonald
Beverage Consultant
Calgary, AB, Canada
Dominique Muñoz
Polite Provisions
San Diego, CA
Emma Osmond
Odd Duck Wine & Provisions
Kitchener, ON, Canada
Quincy Palou
Chyna Club
Las Vegas, NV
Kyle Peete
Napa Valley Distillery
Napa, CA
Scott Roe
The Bamboo Bar at Mandarin Oriental Bangkok
Bangkok, Thailand
Michael Silva
The Eddy
Providence, RI
Heatherlyn Stickel
Tartan House / YachtSea
Louisville, KY
Daniela Useche Téllez
Prophecy Cocktail Bar / Showcase Restaurant & Bar by Marriott
Vancouver, BC, Canada
2026 Black Coat Apprentices:
Aaron Hatchell
Ace Hotel Toronto
Toronto, ON, Canada
Lauren Pileggi
PMA Canada
Sudbury, ON, Canada
Antoinette Rangel
The Saloon at Clover Club
Brooklyn, NY
Joshua Thompson
The Corner Store
New York, NY
Brandon Thrash*
Middle Child
Philadelphia, PA
*denotes Lead Black Coat
2026 White Coat Apprentices:
Alexis Belton
Danny’s
New York, NY
Richie Delahoyde
Illva Saronno
Dublin, Ireland
Glenn Eldridge
Pernod Ricard Middle East
Dubai, UAE
Kaleena Goldsworthy-Warnock
Proof
Chattanooga, TN
Trevor Kallies
JOEY Restaurant Group
Vancouver, BC, Canada
Cocktail Apprentice Scholarship Program:
Tales of the Cocktail Foundation continues to support the growing network of past apprentices by offering exclusive opportunities for scholarships and financial aid to support their growth within the industry further. Following TOTC 2026, CAP members will be eligible to apply for the Cocktail Apprentice Scholarship Program. The annual Scholarship Program has helped former apprentices pursue continued learning opportunities over the past decade. After undergoing a rigorous selection process, former apprentices are selected to receive funding for a wide variety of projects that benefit their careers and their communities.
For more information about the Cocktail Apprentice Program, please visit the TOTCF website.
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About Tales of the Cocktail Foundation:
Tales of the Cocktail Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering the global hospitality industry through education, advocacy, and community support. As the world’s leading spirits education platform, the Foundation provides year-round programs and initiatives that foster professional growth and drive meaningful change. Each July, the industry gathers in New Orleans, the beating heart of cocktail culture and hospitality, for a one-of-a-kind conference that blends education, networking, and celebration like no other. Guided by its core pillars—Educate, Advance, and Support—the Foundation’s impact extends far beyond the U.S., reaching professionals and communities around the world. Tales of the Cocktail will take place in New Orleans July 19-24, 2026. #totc2026
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