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 Innovation Award. 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
Through this grant, TIP is able to launch our first-ever Professional Development Program! This program is dedicated to helping hospitality professionals with a love of agave explore the category in profound, experiential ways. We have developed three different tracks for applicants to pursue: production/ecology, writing, and hospitality. Below you will find more information on each track and how to apply!
Production/Ecology Residency with Zinacantan
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.
Tequila Interchange Project Writer-in-Residence
For the first time ever, the Tequila Interchange Project will have their very own in-house writer. As the second phase of our Professional Development Program, TIP will be selecting one hospitality/beverage professional who has wanted to venture beyond the bar and explore the world of beverage journalism to serve as our 2026 TIP Writer-in-Residence!
Through this program, the selected applicant will have the opportunity to visit Jalisco for research and, upon their return, they will be paid to write bimonthly pieces to be published on the TIP website and cross-posted to Mezcalistas.com. To help hone their skills TIP has also assembled an all-star team of beverage media professionals that will graciously donate their time to serve as editors and provide periodic office hours to help mentor the TIP Writer in Residence to learn how to do things like build their network and pitch stories as a freelance writer.
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. 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.
The selected applicant will spend one week in Guadalajara, Mexico, training and staging with the crew at Mezonte and De la O Cantina. They will also get to visit producers as well as share their love of agave by hosting a one night only pop-up at De la O Cantina! Airfare and lodging will be covered, and missed wages will be reimbursed up to $1,000!