Professional Development
TEQUILA INTERCHANGE PROJECT PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
TIP is glad to announce that we were selected as one of the winning proposals for the 2025 Slow Food Negroni Week Fund. This grant program is dedicated to funding networks, individuals and programs that cultivate community, foster equity and justice, and seek a better world for all through food and beverage.
CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE SLOW FOOD NEGRONI WEEK FUND
This program is a collaboration between the Tequila Interchange Project and Zinactantan Agave Spirits. Based in the town of San Diego la Meza Tochimiltzingo, Zinacantan has put together an incredible work study opportunity for hospitality professionals! Selected applicants will spend 9 days working with mezcalera Fabiola Torres Monfil, learning about mezcal history in the region, how they produce mezcal working with the natural environment, and their holistic approach to resource management.
Through funds received through the Slow Food Negroni Week Fund, TIP will be awarding one applicant travel reimbursement for up to $700 as well as $1,500 to compensate for missed wages while participating in the residency.
This once-in-a-lifetime experience will take place in the Spring of 2026, with applicants selecting a preference from a series of available dates listed in the residency application. To be eligible for the TIP Scholarship, participants must complete the residency by 22 April.
Tentative Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrive in Puebla, transport to Cholula
Day2: Spend day in Cholula
Day3: Group travels to Cholula
Day 4 - 8: Work/Stay in San Diego la Meza Tochimiltzingo
Day 9: Return to Puebla
Applicants for the TIP Professional Development Scholarship will first complete the standard Zinacantan Residency application. Once you have sent your Zinacantan Residency Application, applicants can then download and apply for the TIP Professional Development Grant. Only applicants that are accepted to the Zinacantan Residency program are eligible for the TIP Professional Development Grant. Applications for the TIP Grant are due by 11:59 pm Pacific time on Friday, January 16th.
TIP Scholarship applications must be emailed to productiontrack@tequilainterchangeproject.org *Applicants must send a copy of their residency application along with their scholarship application. They can be in two seperate attachments.
Participant Expectations:
Be a courteous guest. Fabiola and her family are inviting you into their home for an extended period of time. 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, have fun, work hard, play hard, but we’re all pros.
Participate in all activities that are part of the residency. This program is designed to provide a comprehensive, participatory experience in the world of responsible mezcal production. 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.
Upon completion of the experience, the selected participant will be expected to complete the following:
Summary report
Presentation event
Social media posting plan
As mentioned in the Zinacantan Residency Application, participants are responsible for getting themselves to Puebla by the date corresponding to their admitted participation session. Upon completion of the residency program and submission of their travel receipts, participants will be reimbursed for their travel up to the amount of $700. Upon completion of their summary report, experience presentation plan and satisfactory social media posting plan, participants will be reimbursed for missed wages in the amount of $750. Upon completion of their presentation event and completion of their social media posting plan, participants will receive their final payment of $750.