Mark Ridgwell Scholarship application deadline: 18th September, 2019
Last year the bar industry lost one of its most significant figures, with the passing of Mark Ridgwell. Founder of Taste and Flavour, and instrumental in the inception of the Wine and Spirit Education Trust’s (WSET) first spirits-focused qualification, Ridgwell played a large part in creating the focus on bartending knowledge and learning that has enabled the ‘cocktail renaissance’ we enjoy today.
Hannah Lanfear, founder of The Mixing Class, and Jonathan Downey, founder of Street Feast operator London Union, have announced the perfect memorial to Mark Ridgwell’s impact on our industry – a WSET Level 2 Award scholarship in his name. The annual scholarship will enable six bartenders to undertake the Level 2 award, with the cost generously covered by London Union.
The scholarship will be administered by a board comprised of Kevin Armstrong (Beverage Director of London Union), Hannah Sharman-Cox (Director of Drink.Up London), and Hannah Lanfear (Director of The Mixing Class). This group will also assess applicants and award scholarship places.
Jonathan Downey says of the Mark Ridgwell Scholarship: “At London Union, we are delighted to be able to continue the work of the wonderful partnership that The Rushmore Group had with Mark Ridgwell over the many years, and also continue to champion the importance of spirits education for the future of the bar industry.”
Scholarship Applications
To apply for a scholarship place, bartenders should email markridgwellscholarship@gmail.com to request an application form and a copy of the selection criteria. Successful applicants will be announced no later than 18th September.