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Meet the shortlisted candidates for the 50 Best Bars Scholarship 2026, hailing from Argentina to Australia.
In early 2026, the 50 Best Bars Scholarship opened for submissions from any bartender across the world with less than three years of experience in a professional bar environment. The prize? A once-in-a-lifetime chance to supercharge a career through two all-expenses-paid internships at Tres Monos in Buenos Aires and Line in Athens, plus $1,365 (£1,000) per two-week stage.
From the hundreds of enthusiastic applicants, just 25 have been chosen to advance to the second round. From these 25, five will be selected to advance to the final interview stage. The final three will travel to The World's 50 Best Bars 2026 events in Milan this October, where the singular winner of the programme will be revealed live on stage at the awards ceremony.
Meet the shortlisted candidates.
Name: Aidan Lawrence-Devine
Age: 26
From: US
Currently working at: Cat Bite Club
Follow Aidan on Instagram: @itsaidanduh
What drew me to the world of bartending? I sought out a professional bartending gig during a teaching break, and I was instantly hooked by the joy of hospitality. By the end of the summer, I'd started bartending full-time and haven't looked back.
Name: Amitayush Chakrabarti
Age: 22
From: Australia
Currently working at: Devil You Don't
Follow Amitayush on Instagram: @aaymth
Favourite drink to make: Hotel nacional especial
Favourite thing to do when I'm not in the bar: Designing and hand making clothes.
Name: Andrii Kulachynskyi
Age: 23
From: Ukraine
Follow Andrii on Instagram: @treemanula
Currently working at: The Barbershop Bar
The moment I fell in love with bartending: The first time a guest told me I made their day better.
Career highlight so far: Hosting a charity guest shift where we raised more than €1,000 ($1,170) in donations for an underground school supporting children in the village of Mala Danylivka.
Name: Beatriz Silva
Age: 26
From: Brazil
Currently working at: Jass
Follow Beatriz on Instagram: @obiaviamente
Favourite drink to make: Rabo de galo
Career highlight so far: Being the main character in my friend's short movie called Rata (rat) about my career as a bartender so far.
Name: Chau Nguyen
Age: 24
From: Vietnam
Currently working at: Barson
Follow Chau on Instagram: @_chow.mink_
Favourite thing to do when I'm not in the bar: Taking photos and finding inspiration in everyday moments.
One surprising fact about me: When I discover a new edible ingredient, I taste every usable part: from the leaves and stems to the flesh and peel, to understand its potential in cocktails.
Name: Damian Ceka
Age: 28
From: Poland
Currently working at: Lot 51
Follow Damian on Instagram: @damian_ceka
What drew me to the world of bartending? I was a chef for about seven years. I liked the hospitality industry from the beginning, but I realised that being directly connected to people was more my thing.
What the five key skills required of an exceptional modern bartender are: Adaptability, rhythm, patience, comprehension and consistency.
Name: Dinash Turkebayeva
Age: 29
From: Kazakhstan
Currently working at: Cece
Follow Dinash on Instagram: @zhangyryq
An industry figure who inspires me: Tracia Chan. She is a chef, barista, coffee judge, bartender, artist – and she does all of it incredibly well. What inspires me most is her fearlessness and how she is never afraid to try something new.
Name: Geoffrey Masse
Age: 34
From: France
Currently working at: Dragon
Follow Geoffrey on Instagram: @moscowmullet
Favourite drink to make: A tailor-made cocktail depending on the guest's desires, allowing for constant re-creation. Or a freezer martini if I'm tired.
The moment I fell in love with bartending: Seeing how I can change the atmosphere of a party that was starting to get dull, because I brought my shakers and a big bag of cubes.
Name: Isa Mejia
Age: 32
From: Ecuador
Currently working at: Plural Drinks
Follow Isa on Instagram: @isa.poison.slinger
Favourite drink to make: Negroni. I love dialling in the perfect dilution so it's enjoyable from the very first sip, allowing each ingredient to express itself.
One surprising fact about me: I graduated with honours from Tisch School of the Arts at NYU on a full scholarship, earning a BFA in Photography. That background continues to influence the way I approach cocktails through storytelling, design and visual composition to create meaningful experiences.
Name: Kas Płotka
Age: 23
From: Poland
Currently working at: William Rabbit
Follow Kas on Instagram: @kas.plotka
Favourite drink to make: Any twist on a dry Manhattan.
One surprising fact about me: As a model I was (unknowingly) in Turkish soap operas.
Name: Khulekani Kawenda
Age: 23
From: Zimbabwe
Currently working at: Zumbane Lodges
Follow Khulekani on Instagram: @khule_ka
Favourite drink to make: Whiskey sour
The moment I fell in love with bartending: Drinking alone in Bar Cillin in Foshan, China, looking at the chemical formulas of the infusions on the walls.
Name: Lauren Park
Age: 27
From: South Korea
Currently working at: Nomo Nomo
Follow Lauren on Instagram: @l.aurenpark
Why should I win the scholarship? Thanks to this industry, I've found a sense of community like never before. I want to continue to foster inclusivity in this space. I'd love a chance to keep learning and showcase how women can dominate behind the bar.
Favourite thing to do when I'm not in the bar: Travelling. I believe food is often the ultimate cultural archive and it's been an absolute privilege to experience it around the world firsthand.
Name: Leon Sittisart
Age: 22
From: New Zealand
Currently working at: Panacea
Follow Leon on Instagram: @Leonstar555
Favourite drink to make: A daiquiri.
Favourite thing to do when I'm not in the bar: Thinking about fun and weird drinks, karaoke, gaming and playing badminton.
Name: Lucas Ian Lopez
Age: 25
From: Argentina
Currently working at: Hot Tamale
Follow Lucas on Instagram: @_lucasianlopez
One surprising fact about me: I had never worked behind a bar before moving to Australia. Everything I've achieved in hospitality has happened in less than a year, starting completely from scratch.
The moment I fell in love with bartending: When I realised bartending wasn't just about making cocktails, it was about making people feel welcome. Moving from Argentina to Australia, hospitality became my second language, and behind the bar I found a place where genuine connection speaks louder than words.
Name: Luis Vazquez-Vega
Age: 26
From: US
Currently working at: Lola's Cocktails and Kitchen
Follow Luis on Instagram: @polluxteca
Favourite drink to make: Daiquiris all day, especially if someone asks for a funky version.
The moment I fell in love with bartending: I'd have to say the first time I made a flaming tiki cocktail. I loved the drink itself, but when I handed marshmallows on sticks to an older couple and sprinkled cinnamon on top, their eyes and smiles lit up as bright as the sparks. Wonder is timeless and the couple became some of my favourite regulars.
Name: Marine Capanni
Age: 29
From: France
Currently working at: Himkok
Follow Marine on Instagram: @marine.cpni
One surprising fact about me: Before moving to Norway, I worked as a social worker in France for nearly five years. One trip to Norway completely changed my life. I fell in love with bartending, quit my career, packed up my life within six months and moved to start over.
Career highlight so far: Joining the team at Himkok after less than two years of bartending. It was an incredible opportunity and a milestone I never imagined reaching so early in my journey.
Name: Matthew Dzoan
Age: 25
From: US
Currently working at: Bar Crenn
Follow Matthew on Instagram: @mattdzdz
An industry figure who inspires me: If I had to choose one, it would have to be San Diego's Andrew Cordero. Since becoming the beverage director of the largest restaurant group in the city, he has continued to provide great beverage programmes and even greater hospitality, on his way to open his own bar in the city that raised him.
Career highlight so far: Managing the non-alcoholic drinks programme at Jeune et Jolie.
Name: Melissa Vargas
Age: 30
From: Paraguay
Currently working at: Segundo
Follow Melissa on Instagram: @meluvg
Favourite drink to make: My Spicy Sour. I love taking people out of their comfort zone and introducing them to unexpected flavours they never thought they could enjoy.
Career highlight so far: Creating and launching Suckerpunch, a signature cocktail that became an iconic favourite among my friends and guests that inspired me to turn it into my own ready-to-drink canned cocktail.
Name: Michael Kinyanjui
Age: 33
From: Kenya
Currently working at: Salty Squid Bar
Follow Michael on Instagram: @Mikkyeh
Favourite drink to make: A modern gin sour inspired by Kenyan ingredients. I enjoy combining locally sourced citrus, baobab, tropical fruits and house-made syrups to create cocktails that tell the story of Kenya while maintaining balance and elegance.
Favourite thing to do when I'm not in the bar: I enjoy exploring nature, visiting local markets, experimenting with new ingredients and researching modern cocktail techniques to keep improving my craft.
Name: Robert Proppe
Age: 22
From: Iceland
Currently working at: Drykk
Follow Robert on Instagram: @bobo.and.the.booze
An industry figure who inspires me: The biggest influence on me is Monica Berg. Not only is she a multi-award-winning bartender and co-owner of Tayēr + Elementary, but she has also devoted her time into making the bar world better through non-profits and education. That speaks to me and inspires me to make the industry where I live better for the people working in it.
One surprising fact about me: I love tearing things apart to see how they work and then trying to fix them. My newest venture is restoring old typewriters.
Name: Sean Teague
Age: 25
From: US
Currently working at: Rada
Follow Sean on Instagram: @seanjteague
Favourite drink to make: Army and navy or mezcal negroni
The moment I fell in love with bartending: When I realised I could apply my chemistry and fermentation sciences background to develop cocktails and still have a large creative input. The interaction with guests and industry goers alike and getting to be hospitable towards them in a way that provides memorable experiences is why I fell in love with the industry.
Name: Soma Fukuta
Age: 24
From: US
Currently working at: Mamani
Follow Soma on Instagram: @soma_fukuta
An industry figure who inspires me: Although I tend to favour modern cocktails with intricate designs and complicated components, I cannot deny the importance of classics and the people that have perfected their techniques. The person I look towards for that is Takuma Watanabe of Martiny's. His dedication to technique is inspiring and something I strive to improve every time I step into the bar.
One surprising fact about me: I've never been to a dive bar.
Name: Spencer Leigh
Age: 29
From: US
Currently working at: Heaven & Earth
Follow Spencer on Instagram: @cer.spence
Favourite drink to make: A mojito. I know the cleanup is a nightmare, and the minute one goes out, 10 more people want one, but I genuinely love making them.
The moment I fell in love with bartending: When I got my first regular. Every Saturday, I'd see them walk past the window and I'd have their drink waiting by the time they reached the bar. The surprised look on their face is still cemented in my mind, and it was the start of our friendship.
Name: Takeshi Moriguchi
Age: 27
From: Japan
Currently working at: Grace Note
Follow Takeshi on Instagram: @takebou_stroll
Favourite drink to make: Pisco sour
Why should I win the scholarship? I want to create unforgettable moments for guests from around the world. Although the time we spend with guests is short, I believe great hospitality can remain in their hearts for a lifetime.
Name: Teresa Palmeirim
Age: 23
From: Portugal
Currently working at: Rossio Gastrobar
Follow Teresa on Instagram: @_.teresaa._02
An industry figure who inspires me: Ada Coleman.. She became the head bartender at the Savoy at a time when leadership roles for women in hospitality were extremely rare. Beyond creating the Hanky Panky, what inspires me most is her determination and impact. She proved that talent, hard work and personality can break barriers and create opportunities.
What the five key skills required of an exceptional modern bartender are:
Intellectual curiosity, emotional intelligence, sensory skills, disciplined organisation and respect.
The top three finalists of 50 Best Bars Scholarship 2026 will be revealed ahead of The World's 50 Best Bars 2026 in Milan this October.
