TOTC awards first Great Bar Race grants

The Tales of the Cocktail Foundation has given its inaugural Great Bar Race Inclusion and Representation Grants to Turning Tables and the Made in New Orleans Foundation.

Turning Tables received a Great Bar Race Inclusion and Representation Grant

Created to promote equality, inclusion and representation in the drinks industry, the Tales of the Cocktail Foundation (TOTCF) Great Bar Race grants were awarded in partnership with Grey Goose vodka.

Caroline Rosen, president of TOTCF, said: “I have long admired the ways in which Grey Goose has championed representation and inclusivity for our industry and could not think of two better recipients for these grants.”

For the grants, recipients’ submissions needed to support TOTCF’s core mission of educating, supporting, and advancing the global spirits industry. The foundation said it received an ‘overwhelming’ number of submissions this year, which were evaluated by TOTCF’s grants advisory committee.

The grants award US$12,500 in funding to organisations to support their initiatives.

Made in New Orleans Foundation (Mino), is a non-profit organisation that strives to grow, support and finance Black, indigenous, and other people of colour in the Louisiana city’s hospitality industry.

The organisation provides educational resources, individual mentorship and scholarships, and business coaching. The grant will fund the foundation’s Equity Program, which provides practical tools to create unified and equitable workspaces.

Lauren Darnell, executive director of MiNO, said: “We are so deeply thankful for the support of Tales of the Cocktail Foundation. We are so excited to launch this partnership and create a meaningful impact in the hospitality industry in New Orleans.

The Mino Foundation was awarded US$12,500 by Tales of the Cocktail

“Because of this grant, Mino, will be able to forge ahead, especially during this time, this gift means so much more than right now, it contributes to the future we are building together.”

Also awarded a US$12,500 grant was Turning Tables, which advocates for diversity, visibility, and inclusivity in the hospitality industry. The organisation’s vision is to change the face of hospitality providing access to hands-on training, mentorship, industry exposure, and support services.

Touré Folkes, executive director and CEO of Turning Tables, said: “This industry is extremely resilient and if there is anything I have learned from this past year, Is that the model is changing, but we show up and support one another.

“The one thing that is certain is that we will be a part of that change and continue to create leaders that will be a valuable asset moving forward. We want to continue to be a bright light and model for all the places we can go and all of the places we can to be a force in creating a more equitable industry.”