After two successful editions, the 50 Best Bars Scholarship is returning for a third year, in partnership with Roku Gin. Applications are now open until Monday 24th June for bartenders across the globe. Here’s everything you need to know about this year’s submission process and the prize that awaits the winning candidate
Open to all bartenders over the age of 21 with less than five full years’ experience in the hospitality sector, the 50 Best Bars Roku Scholarship 2024 is offering a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to learn from the very best in hospitality sector.
Applicants have a chance of following in the industrious footsteps of previous winners Drew Fleming from the Isle of Man and Apoorva Kohli from New Delhi, India, who have both spent time under the tutelage of world-class bars around the globe, courtesy of their scholarship wins.
The 2024 recipient of the scholarship will train at Maybe Sammy, Virtù and High Five
While Fleming's reward was training at Connaught Bar (No.5 in The World’s 50 Best Bars 2023) and Katana Kitten (No.27 in The World's 50 Best Bars 2023) and Kohli lined up Sips (No.1 in The World’s 50 Best Bars 2023) and Alquímico (No.9 in The World's 50 Best Bars 2023), this year’s winning candidate will get to experience an expanded internship programme at three world-leading establishments.
After the winner is revealed at The World’s 50 Best Bars 2024 awards ceremony in Madrid on 22nd October, they will embark on an all-expenses paid educational journey at famed Australian bar Maybe Sammy in Sydney (No.15 in The World’s 50 Best Bars 2023) alongside a stage in Japan, where the winner will be taught traditional Japanese-style bartending at Tokyo institution High Five, followed by a contemporary masterclass at Asia’s 50 Best Bars high-flyer Virtù.
Think you’ve got what it takes to be this year’s winner? Submit your application through the virtual form found by clicking below by 23:00pm (BST) 24th June.
What to expect:
This year’s entries will be judged over a three-step application process. The first stage will ask all bartenders to submit an introductory video outlining their idea of what ‘Future Positive’ means, alongside a short written statement on how they would build a brighter future for the hospitality industry.
At the close of the first round of applications, a shortlist of candidates will be selected to progress to the second stage, where each will be invited to create a bespoke cocktail using Roku Gin that champions a local ingredient of their choice and further embodies the ‘Future Positive’ philosophy.
Cocktail submissions in round two will be judged by industry veterans Philip Bischoff and Claudia Cabrera
These submissions will then be judged by an international panel of experts, comprised of Philip Bischoff from BKK Social Club (No.13 in The World’s 50 Best Bars 2023), North America’s 50 Best Bars Roku Industry Icon Award 2024 winner Claudia Cabrera of Kaito del Valle and James Bowker, Global Advocacy Manager for House of Suntory. Together, they will decide on a five-strong list of candidates to advance to the final interview stage.
The final step will see five candidates engage in an interview panel comprising Stefano Catino of Maybe Sammy, Keith Motsi of Virtù and Hidetsugu Ueno of High Five, alongside senior representatives from 50 Best, Roku Gin and the Sustainable Restaurant Association – 50 Best’s sustainability audit partner.
The panel will then select the three finalists, all of whom will be invited to Madrid for a full programme of events around the city, culminating in the prestigious awards ceremony of The World’s 50 Best Bars 2024, where the one lucky winner will be revealed.
In early 2025, the winning candidate will then have the opportunity to gain experience at Maybe Sammy, High Five and Virtù. All flights, accommodation will be covered, with £500 per week also provided.
If you have any questions about the process, visit our FAQs or email barsscholarship@wrbm.com.
Applications for the 50 Best Bars Roku Scholarship are now open until 24th June for bartenders across the globe over the age of 21 with under five full years’ experience in the hospitality sector. Apply now using the button above.
The 16th edition of The World’s 50 Best Bars list, sponsored by Perrier, will be announced on Tuesday 22nd October 2024. To be the first to hear about the latest news and announcements, browse the website, follow us on Instagram, find us on Facebook, visit us on X and subscribe to our YouTube channel.
