Dear Tales Community,  Happy Asian American Pacific Islander Month! My name is Caer Maiko Ferguson and I am a Japanese-American bartender. Over the last 5 years, May has been a very busy month for me. In March of 2019, my friend Sharon and I threw a “Super Asian Cocktail Pop Up” that we named “Daijoubu Pop Up” which has allowed us to throw over 30 events over the last 5 years. With all of those, we have been actively thinking about our roles and identities as AAPI people in the cocktail community. We’ve pushed ourselves to the forefront of “representation” in our industry and because of t ..read more

NEW ORLEANS, LA (May 1, 2024) — Tales of the Cocktail Foundation (TOTCF) is pleased to announce the 2024 Cocktail Apprentice Program (CAP) Class. Founded in 2008 as a platform for burgeoning bartenders to learn and work alongside industry leaders and experts, CAP has hosted more than 500 apprentices during its 16-year tenure. Working together to prepare and execute cocktails for large-scale, high-volume events at Tales of the Cocktail in New Orleans, CAP apprentices gain invaluable experience while serving as the foundation for TOTC’s beverage programming.  This year, 40 rising bartenders ..read more

Elise Hanson takes home the prestigious title with her “The Happy Place Project” cocktail and earns a $20,000 creative grant for Higher Harvests Bombay Sapphire and Tales of the Cocktail Foundation are pleased to announce the winner of the 2024 Most Imaginative Bartender (MIB) competition, Elise Hanson – Bar Manager at Bar Raval and the Founder & Executive Director of Higher Harvests, Toronto, Canada. Toasting its 15th year, the Most Imaginative Bartender competition celebrates creativity and ingenuity in the cocktail community and provides a platform for bartenders to embrace their origi ..read more

Elise Hanson takes home the prestigious title with her “The Happy Place Project” cocktail and earns a $20,000 creative grant for Higher Harvests Bombay Sapphire and Tales of the Cocktail Foundation are pleased to announce the winner of the 2024 Most Imaginative Bartender (MIB) competition, Elise Hanson – Bar Manager at Bar Raval and the Founder & Executive Director of Higher Harvests, Toronto, Canada. Toasting its 15th year, the Most Imaginative Bartender competition celebrates creativity and ingenuity in the cocktail community and provides a platform for bartenders to embrace their origi ..read more

Hendrick’s Gin, the purveyor of premium gins and peculiarly delightful libations, is thrilled to announce its renewed partnership with Tales of the Cocktail Foundation (TOTCF) to present Expedition Cocktail, a whimsical journey into the world of mixology and liquid experimentation. This year, Expedition Cocktail will be traversing the United States – stopping in Austin, TX, Philadelphia, PA, Chicago, IL, and San Francisco, CA – bringing its unique blend of education and entertainment to bartenders and enthusiasts alike. Enticing participants to show off their bartending skills, one winner from ..read more

Celebrating Women’s History Month with the Women of the Cocktail Apprentice Program Leadership Team Join us as we reflect on the journey of the Cocktail Apprentice Program (CAP) and the broader hospitality sector in celebration for Women’s History Month with some of the current White Coats. Cris Dehlavi, a veteran CAP member since 2010, notes the remarkable evolution of the program over the years. From its origins in big U.S. markets to its current global reach, CAP has embraced diversity in all its forms. Her journey reflects the gradual dismantling of barriers and the celebration of women ..read more

The second annual Tales Catalyst event is dedicated to celebrating two new Honorees – U.S. and International – who are advancing inclusivity and breaking barriers in the cocktail community NEW ORLEANS, LA (March 4, 2024) — Tales of the Cocktail Foundation (TOTCF) is pleased to announce that applications for the 2024 Tales Catalyst Honorees and Featured Speakers are open from March 4 – March 18, 2024. Established to celebrate individuals who are making significant contributions to the equity and inclusivity of the global drinks community, Tales Catalyst will recognize two new honorees, a U.S. H ..read more

We are delighted to introduce the inaugural “Good, Clean Fun – The Espresso Martini Contest,” proudly sponsored by Absolut and Kahlúa. This thrilling event features a national Espresso Martini speed-based skills competition, challenging participants to make four Espresso Martinis as clean and fast as they can.  Local competitions, taking place from January through February 2024, invite bartenders from across the nation to participate. To find a competition near you, visit EspressoMartiniCompetition.com. Participation is determined on a first-come, first-served basis. In each local event ..read more

In 2023, Tara Fougner was honored as a Tales Catalyst and was a featured speaker at the Tales Catalyst Luncheon. The Tales Catalyst Luncheon, formerly called the Dame Hall of Fame, is a celebration of people who have made unique and lasting contributions to the global hospitality industry. Since 2012, the Tales Catalysts have welcomed members to this group of individuals who highlight marginalized groups within the industry and shine a spotlight on leaders actively making changes in their communities. Tara Fougner is the co-founder and CEO of Thirsty, with over 20 years of experience in vario ..read more

In 2023, Anistatia Miller was honored as a Tales Catalyst and was a featured speaker at the Tales Catalyst Luncheon. The Tales Catalyst Luncheon, formerly called the Dame Hall of Fame, is a celebration of people who have made unique and lasting contributions to the global hospitality industry. Since 2012, the Tales Catalysts have welcomed members to this group of individuals who highlight marginalized groups within the industry and shine a spotlight on leaders actively making changes in their communities. Industry legend Anistatia Miller, MA, MSc (Ox), director of Mixellany Limited, is an awa ..read more