Professional Development
TEQUILA INTERCHANGE PROJECT PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
2026 TIP Hospitality Residency with Mezonte
This program is one that has been a long time coming. The Tequila Interchange Project has collaborated for several years with Pedro Jimenez and his team at Mezonte, Destilados Mexicanos de Agave for our visits to Jalisco and Michoacán. Through the generosity of the Slow Food Negroni Week Fund, TIP has been able to partner with Mezonte and their sister bars De la O Cantina and Sacualillo to provide one member of the hospitality industry a once-in-a-lifetime educational and professional experience. Nestled cozily in a quiet side street of Colonia Americana in Guadalajara, Mezonte is widely recognized as one of, if not the premier agave bar in the world. They have curated one of the most important agave spirits collections and provide an experience that leaves guests with knowledge and an appreciation for agave culture that defines their perspective on the entire category.
CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE SLOW FOOD NEGRONI WEEK FUND
The selected applicant will spend one week in Guadalajara, Mexico, spending their days with the team at Mezonte, soaking up every drop of agave knowledge they possibly can, while spending their evenings staging at either De la O Cantina or Sacualillo Expendio, observing how their teams share agave culture, incorporate the spirits into their bar programs, and host, serve, and educate their guests. At least one day will also be spent with a member of the Mezonte team travelling through the campo visiting producers. This incredible week will culminate in a chance for the participant to showcase what they have absorbed, as they curate and serve a pop-up cocktail menu at De la O for one night only, followed by assisting with service at Mezonte the following evening.
Airfare and lodging will be provided by Tequila Interchange Project through the Slow Food Negroni Week Fund. Missed wages for the week will also be reimbursed up to $1,000. Food, drink, and other miscellaneous expenses will be the responsibility of the selected applicant.
Tentative Schedule
Sunday, April 26th: Arrive & settle in
Monday, April 27th AM: Private agave spirits training at Mezonte
Monday, April 27th PM: Stage at De la O Cantina
Tuesday April 28th All Day: Visit producers
Wednesday, April 29th AM: Private agave spirits training at Mezonte
Wednesday, April 29th PM: Stage at De la O Cantina
Thursday, April 30th PM: Co-host pop-up at De la O Cantina
Friday, May 1st PM: Assist with service at Mezonte
Saturday, May 2nd: Depart
Winner Announced April 6th!
We are pleased to announce the winning applicant for the Tequila Interchange Project Writer-in-Residence Program is Clinth Lopez, a DC-based hospitality professional, who currently works as Senior Bartender at Silver Lyan. Through the generosity of the Slow Food Negroni Week Innovation Fund, TIP's new Hospitality Residency Program is sending Clinth to Guadalajara to spend a week with the crew at Mezonte and their sister bar De la O Cantina. His résumé includes time at Michelin-starred restaurants Bresca, Jônt, and Albi, representing Westward Whiskey in the DMV market, managing cocktail events such as BCB and NYCocktail Expo, judging cocktail competitions, and winning a national competition with Stauning. Clinth continues his academic pursuit of spirits education with certifications from the Edinburgh Whisky Academy and WSET Level 2 (currently pursuing Level 3), and serves as Mid-Atlantic Ambassador for Empirical Spirits.