FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NOCCPS Announces BAR ® Scholarship Recipients

Eight spirits professionals from the United States, United Kingdom and Italy will receive scholarships to attend the world-renowned B.A.R. certification in New York City.

NEW ORLEANS – June 22, 2015 – In its on-going effort to support and cultivate the international bartending community, the New Orleans Culinary & Cultural Preservation Society (NOCCPS), the non-profit organization that produces Tales of the Cocktail®, is proud to announce the newest recipients of the Beverage Alcohol Resource (BAR®) Scholarship Program. Eight former Tales of the Cocktail® Apprentices will receive a scholarship valued at $4,450 for tuition and travel expenses to attend the 12th BAR® 5-Day Spirits & Mixology Certification Program to be held in New York City September 28 through October 2, 2015. This year’s BAR® Scholarship recipients are Karah Carmack, Laura Kelton, Nathan O’Neill, Angel Teta, Christopher George, Karen Fu, Antonio Parlapiano and Maxwell Britten.

“The CAP program has brought BAR some of our very best students ever, and considering the caliber of student we normally get that's really saying something,” said David Wondrich, co-founder of the BAR® program and chairman of the Writing Committee for the Tales of the Cocktail® Spirited Awards®. “We couldn't be more pleased to be associated with Tales of the Cocktail and the Cocktail Apprentice program in this.”

Founded and run by six of the biggest names in mixology—Steve Olson, Dale DeGroff, Andy Seymour, Doug Frost, David Wondrich and F. Paul Pacult—the BAR® Program has become one of the most revered mixology training programs in the country. This scholarship is open to bartenders who have served as a Cocktail Apprentice at Tales of the Cocktail® in the past five years.

“The opportunity to take part in the BAR® certification program is truly career changing, not only does it offer me the chance to further my education but the opportunity to complete one of highest regarded education programs in the industry,” said Nathan O’Neill, 2015 BAR® Scholarship recipient. “Having worked with the CAP program for a number of years, the educational tools this program will give me will also help me to develop with those around me. This is a fantastic time within our industry and taking up this challenge really is a privilege.”

“Tales of the Cocktail and the CAP program continue to open doors and create opportunities for my career that I could never imagine,” said Angel Teta, 2015 scholarship recipient. “The BAR® five-day scholarship is a perfect example of this, and I am extremely proud to be one of the recipients for 2015!"

The BAR® Scholarship program is just one of several ways the NOCCPS helps to support and cultivate bartending talent around the world. Tales of the Cocktail® also funds a Cocktail Apprentice Tuition

Reimbursement Program for graduated CAPs seeking higher education. A Cocktail Apprentice enrolled in college, university, technical school courses or hospitality course can be reimbursed up to $5,000 for textbooks and course fees.

Tales of the Cocktail® returns to New Orleans July 15 through 19, 2015 with a schedule of more than 200 seminars, tasting rooms, competitions, networking events and more. For more information about this year’s festivities, visit TalesoftheCocktail.com.

The 2015 BAR ® Scholarship recipients:

Karah CarmackThe MontereySan Antonio, Texas, United StatesClass of 2013 and 2014

Laura KeltonFulton Market Kitchen Chicago, Illinois, United StatesClass of 2014

Nathan O’NeillDandelyanLondon, United KingdomClass of 2013 and 2014

Angel TetaAtaulaPortland, Oregon, United StatesClass of 2013 and 2014

Christopher GeorgeSt. Charles ExchangeBrooklyn, New York, United StatesClass of 2012 and 2013

Karen FuThe Happiest HourMayahuelBrooklyn, New York, United StatesClass of 2013

Antonio ParlapianoThe Jerry Thomas ProjectRome, ItalyClass of 2014

Maxwell BrittenMaison PremierBrooklyn, New York, United StatesClass of 2008 and 2009

About Tales of the Cocktail®

The Spirits Are Calling. Will you answer? They’re calling you to New Orleans for five days of seminars, tastings, product launches, competitions, networking events and so much more at the world's premier professional cocktail event. By just being a part of this spirited gathering you’ll help your fellow cocktail professionals around the world. Funds from Tales of the Cocktail® are invested back into the industry through scholarships, tuition reimbursements, training programs and financial aid. So join us as the international spirits community answers the call, returning for another spirited round of Tales of the Cocktail®. About the New Orleans Culinary and Cultural Preservation SocietyThe New Orleans Culinary and Cultural Preservation Society (NOCCPS) is a non-profit organization committed to preserving the unique cocktail culture in New Orleans and around the world through education and outreach. Every year the NOCCPS produces a number of events including Tales of the Cocktail®, Tales of the Cocktail® on Tour, and Tales of the Toddy® with proceeds being invested back into the international spirits community through educational programs, scholarships, training programs and financial aid.

SOCIAL MEDIA:WEBSITE: http://www.TalesoftheCocktail.comFACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/talesofthecocktail.comTWITTER: http://www.twitter.com/totcINSTAGRAM: tales_of_the_cocktailYOUTUBE: http://www.youbtube.com/user/TOTCNOLA

MEDIA CONTACT:Ann Tuennerman; 504-548-0511; Ann@TalesoftheCocktail.com

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