![[Ghana] Tales of the Cocktail Foundation announces the 2022 Cocktail Apprentice Program Class](Images/Key Industry Images/HP Digitally Advanced Schools programme.jpg)
[Ghana] Tales of the Cocktail Foundation announces the 2022 Cocktail Apprentice Program Class
Since 2008, the Cocktail Apprentice Program (CAP) has hosted more than 400 apprentices who have gained valuable experience working and managing large-scale, high-volume events during the annual Tales of The Cocktail Conference (TOTC). This year, 32 accomplished and up-and-coming bartenders have earned the opportunity to become Red Coat CAPs and learn alongside some of the world’s most respected bartenders and cocktail experts as apprentices, assisting with seminars and events at Tales of the Cocktail in New Orleans from July 25–29, 2022. The 2022 CAP Class and Program is generously sponsored by our partners at Campari, Courvoisier, Crown Royal, Jose Cuervo Tradicional, Lyre’s, and Sazerac.
First-year CAPs will work together under an assigned “Grey Coat” mentor to prep and execute cocktails and tastings presented during seminars as well as the Dame Hall of Fame induction ceremony, Spirited Awards ceremony, and other headlining events taking place at TOTC’s 2022 host venue, The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans.
“After not having an in-person Tales of the Cocktail for the past two years, we were beyond excited to get back to the application process. It is always so amazing to read the stories of the applicants, and this year was no exception. 2022 brings a smaller team, so we had that much more of a challenge selecting, but we cannot wait to bring our 32 new CAPs, and of course, our 16 returning CAPs to New Orleans with 2022 being an opportunity for a new era of both Tales of the Cocktail and the Cocktail Apprentice Program” said the CAP Leadership Team, Alexis Belton-Tinoco, Cris Dehlavi, John Deragon, Trevor Kallies, and Juyoung Kang.
This year’s incoming class, known as Red Coats, are selected from 14 U.S. states; Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico; and six countries, including Canada, Ghana, Israel, Mexico, South Korea, and the United Arab Emirates. Apprentices were selected through a competitive process that considers recipe submissions, professional experience, and the ability to work with a fast-paced, global team. The team was selectively chosen in order to promote global diversity and ensure that a balance exists between newer and experienced professionals.
These first-time apprentices will be joined by an experienced group of veteran apprentices, who will use their previous experiences to lead this year’s program. Throughout the festival, apprentices can be identified by the color of their chef coats: white for managers, black for assistant managers, grey for leaders, and red for first-time apprentices.
By working directly with seminar presenters, program apprentices hone their skills while simultaneously learning about both the history and future of their craft. After the festival, apprentices are able to apply their new skills to their home and work environments, making the experience of being a CAP member a long-term investment. In addition to technical skills, the valuable professional connections and the team camaraderie fostered during the event have been consistently praised by former members as the most valuable assets the program has given them.
