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
To be eligible for the program, participants must be available to arrive in Guadalajara the evening of Sunday, April 26th ready to train on Monday morning, and stay through Friday May 1st, able to depart on Saturday, May 2nd. Due to the nature of the service portion of this program, participants must be fluent in English and Spanish.
Applications must be emailed along with a résumé to hospitalityresidency@tequilainterchangeproject.org. Any applications that are suspected of utilizing Artificial Intelligence writing tools will be run through AI detection software and possibly disqualified. Applications will go through two rounds of judging; an initial round based solely on the written application to narrow the group to five finalists, and a second round consisting of a 30-minute virtual interview with TIP Executive Director Francisco Terrazas and one member of the selection committee. Videos will be recorded for viewing by the other members of the selection committee. Applications for the TIP Hospitality Residency program are due by 11:59 pm Pacific time on Saturday, February 28th.
Participant Expectations:
Be a courteous guest. Pedro and his team are longtime friends and collaborators of TIP and this program would not be possible without their support. By opening their bar to you they are sharing their home. You are getting an opportunity that many people will have applied for, but very few will receive. Please act accordingly.
Conduct themselves in a professional manner at all times. Participants must remember that they are, at all times, representing their home communities, places of employment, and Tequila Interchange Project. Be curious, work hard, have fun, but we’re all pros. Any missed activities, barring extenuating circumstances, or reports of inappropriate behavior are grounds for immediate dismissal from the program and forfeiture of financial compensation.
Participate in all activities that are part of the residency. This program is designed to provide a comprehensive, participatory experience in the world of agave-centered hospitality. There will be labor involved. There will be education involved. There will be socialization. Participants are expected to take part in every facet. While being mindful of expectation #1 & 2.
Participants must be available to participate in the residency April 26th - May 2nd.
Participants are expected to make two social media posts per day during their residency.
Upon completion of the experience, the selected participant will be expected to complete the following:
Summary report
Post-trip pop-up event
Participants are expected to host a recreation of their pop-up at their place of work to help increase awareness of TIP, their programs, and the Slow Food Negroni Week Fund.
Post-trip pop-up must be completed by Saturday, May 23rd.
Social media posting plan
Disbursement of Funds
Airfare and lodging will be reserved, paid and confirmed by TIP at least 14 days prior to the program start date. Upon completion of their summary report, post trip pop-up, and satisfactory social media posting plan, participants will be reimbursed for missed wages in the amount of $500. Upon completion of their social media posting plan, participants will receive their final payment of $500.