With the curtain closed on 2023’s installment of the Skylight Hospitality Mentorship series, we’re looking ahead to this year’s edition, which – surprise! – is right around the corner. But, before we delve into all the details on this year’s opportunity, we wanted to take a moment to celebrate some of the successes that unfolded late last year over six weeks of mixing, shaking and mentoring.
The innovative Skylight program pairs rising stars of the spirits industry with some of the nation’s best behind-the-bar talent, tasking each duo with developing its own specialty cocktail to share at a grand finale showcase highlighting the fruits of their collective labor. Beyond helping their mentees create a brand-new craft cocktail, mentors and special guest educators served up guidance on everything from how to talk to members of the media to how to navigate professional conflicts and make bar and restaurant businesses more sustainable.
“As a mentee in this year’s Skylight hospitality program, I was able to expand my knowledge, test my limits and overall meet some of the most amazing people in the industry,” said Bailey Bauer, who worked alongside Jenna Murray during the program’s six-week span. “I could not be more grateful for this program along with all it has taught me.”
Bailey and Jenna were one of 9 mentor-mentee pairs, joining:
Mentee Larissa Lespreance and Mentor Erin Hayes, Mentee Crystal Rios and Mentor Kiowa Bryan, Mentee Em Lewis and Mentor Tiffanie Barriere, Mentee Alyssah Padua and Mentor Keyatta Mincey-Parker, Mentee Azalea Rodriguez and Mentor Misty Kalkofen, Mentee Devannah Medina and Mentor Kailee Asher, Mentee Jazz Parks and Mentor J’Nai Angelle, Mentee Delena Humble and Mentor Alex Jump, Mentee Bailey Bauer and Mentor Jenna Murray
Let’s extend a heartfelt thank you to all the participants who made the Skylight Hospitality Mentorship Program a resounding success – your dedication, passion and creativity elevate the craft and leave a lasting mark on the industry.
Applications for 2024 Open Feb. 16!
Women and non-binary bartenders in the Phoenix-metro area; want to join this year’s crop of Skylight participants and gain real-word skills and insight from today’s top bartending talent? We’re happy to announce that, this year, the Skylight mentorship program is moving from late fall to April, and applications open Friday, Feb. 16. Keep an eye out for mentorship opportunities beyond the Phoenix metro area, too, with the Skylight series expanding into multiple markets in 2024!
Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to expand your horizons, test your limits and make memories with industry trailblazers. Cheers to the mentors and mentees who’ve already been a part of Skylight, and here’s to the spirited journey ahead!
