Welcome to the applications portal for the life-changing scholarship for aspiring bartenders launched by The World’s 50 Best Bars in collaboration with The Blend by Beam Suntory

50 Best Bars The Blend Scholarship - Apply Now

What should I prepare for the application?

• Your general details
• What you think the 5 skills for a modern bartender are (5 keywords)
• A short written statement on what you think can be achieved by the hospitality industry to create a more sustainable, inclusive and positive impact on the sector (up to 250 words)
  
• A short video introducing yourself and explaining your Future Positive vision: what small adjustments to everyday practices, or large-scale overhauls, you think would drive meaningful changes in our industry that would help our planet, community, guests and ourselves (under 60 seconds)
• A few photos of yourself behind the bar or making cocktails without any branded bottles in hand or visible in shot (3 to 5)
  

The prize

The lucky winner of the 2023 scholarship, who will be revealed and hosted at The World’s 50 Best Bars 2023 ceremony in Singapore, will be invited to complete two expenses-paid bar stages (internships) in some of the world’s most-renowned cocktail establishments: the high-flying Sips in Barcelona, named No.3 in The World’s Best 50 Bars in 2022, and Alquímico in Cartagena which currently holds the No.10 position and the title of Best Bar in South America. After completing the stages, the scholar will then be hosted by The Blend by Beam Suntory for a unique educational experience in Madrid, Spain

Application window and requirements

Applications for the scholarship are open from 17th April to 15th May. The scholarship is open to bartenders across the world over the age of 21 and with under five years’ professional experience.

The theme of the 50 Best Bars The Blend Scholarship for 2023 is 'Future Positive' , encouraging bartending practices and attitudes that will have a positive impact on the planet and its people, such as low-waste philosophies or pushes for greater diversity and representation within the workplace. Scholarship applicants will need to show a readiness to contribute to this outlook.

For tips, tricks, information and advice from the judges on crafting the perfect application, see The Blend’s website before the application window closes on 15th May.

The selection process

The scholarship recipient will be selected after a three-stage judging process:

Round One: Applicants will be asked to introduce themselves and share their vision of ‘Future Positive’ and what it means to them as a bartender in a short video, as well as answering some questions about their career to date. The 25 successful applicants from Round One will be informed in June 2023.

Round Two: The shortlisted candidates will design a drink, inspired by the ‘Future Positive’ theme, that heroes one local ingredient. The design must be accompanied by evidence of the research, development and creative process.

This stage will be assessed by a panel of industry veterans, including Jean Trinh (Alquímico, Cartagena), Simone Caporale and Marc Alvarez (Sips, Barcelona), Kelsey Ramage (The Trash Collective, USA), and Christina Rasmussen (Mallow, Singapore). Five applicants will be selected to go through to Round Three.

Round Three: The five selected candidates will be invited for an interview with representatives from 50 Best, The Blend, Jean Trinh of Alquímico and Simone Caporale and Marc Alvarez of Sips.

Three finalists will be hosted at The World’s 50 Best Bars 2023 ceremony in Singapore, where the winner will be announced.

Click here to read the Terms and Conditions

Got questions on how the 50 Best Bars The Blend Scholarship works? Or not sure on how to make your application shine?

Check out some of the most frequently asked questions here – or if you can’t find the answer you were looking for, drop a message at barsscholarship@wrbm.com

50 Best Bars The Blend Scholarship

Apply Now