Networking Academies

The James Beard Foundation Scholarship Program

The Rhone Rangers Professional Study/Travel Grant

Our Missions: Rhone Rangers: Advancing the knowledge and enjoyment of Rhone wines produced in America The James Beard Foundation: To celebrate, nurture, and honor America’s diverse culinary heritage through programs that educate and inspire.

The James Beard Foundation and the Rhone Rangers offer this professional study/travel grant to enable working sommeliers or chefs to learn about American Rhone varietal wines by visiting several notable wineries and meeting the winemakers. The amount of the grant will be based on the time and expense needed to complete a specific itinerary. Covered expenses (up to $5,000) are: air and ground travel, lodging, and meals. Receipts must be submitted for reimbursement.

This opportunity allows the recipient to visit Rhone Ranger winery members to get a better understanding of where in the US the Rhone varietal grapes are grown, how the wines are made, and to get a sense of their vineyard terroir. The goal will be to provide a greater understanding and appreciation of the quality, diversity, and food-friendliness of American Rhone wines. Recipients are required to submit a plan at the conclusion of their trip, drawing on what they have learned and stating how they plan to demonstrate their new knowledge as part of their wine program at their workplace. (For example, building American Rhone flights to be paired with small plates at their restaurant or wine bar). If timing is appropriate the recipient should coordinate their trip to coincide with a Rhone Rangers national or chapter event to meet the producers and maximize their experience.

The Rhone Rangers association will work with the awardee to arrange visits to the applicant’s preferred list of wineries (for a list of members see: http://www.rhonerangers.org/wineries/list.php). A sample travel itinerary could include the following winery destinations: Los Olivos for a meeting with Qupe & Zaca Mesa, Paso Robles to visit Tablas Creek & Villa Creek, Santa Cruz to visit Bonny Doon Vineyard & Big Basin, Geyserville to visit Ridge Vineyard’s Lytton Springs facility and Quivira Vineyards, Napa to visit Lagier-Meredith, and finally to Jacksonville OR to visit Quady North & Folin Cellars. The Rhone Rangers will work with the award winner to organize the winery visits; his/her final itinerary is subject to availability of winemakers and the logistics of travel. Applicants must:  Be age 21 or older  Be US citizens  Have at least three (3) years of experience as a wine director, sommelier, or chef

Applicants are required to submit by the postmark deadline date of June 15, 2016:  The Rhone Rangers Professional Study/Travel Grant application  An essay explaining why the applicant desires to expand his/her education through this grant  An estimate of travel expenses  Three (3) letters of recommendation from wine/food professionals, including name, company, position and relationship to the applicant  Proposed itinerary and study plan (to be finalized with the cooperation of Rhone Rangers)

The program must be completed and all receipts submitted for reimbursement on or before June 15, 2017. 2/16

The Rhone Rangers Professional Study/Travel Grant

TYPE OR PRINT ALL INFORMATION EXCEPT SIGNATURES Completeness and neatness ensure your application will be reviewed properly. Application postmark deadline June 15, 2016

APPLICANT Last Name First Middle Initial DATA Permanent Home Mailing Address Apartment #

City State/Province ZIP/Postal Code Country

Telephone ( ) Date of Birth: Month Day Year

Email Address

EDUCATIONAL Name of High School you attended HISTORY City State Country

High School Graduation Date: Month Year Date Received GED (if applicable) Month Year

Name all postsecondary schools you previously attended (if any). Use official school name. Do not use abbreviations.

School: City State

Dates Attended: From To Total Credits Earned: Degree/Certificate Earned (if any):

School: City State

Dates Attended: From To Total Credits Earned: Degree/Certificate Earned (if any):

School: City State

Dates Attended: From To Total Credits Earned: Degree/Certificate Earned (if any):

Sending a resumé does not replace any part of this application. If space provided in any section is inadequate, you may continue on additional sheets. Attachments must follow the same format. DO NOT repeat information already reported on the application form. Your name, address and name of this scholarship program should be included on all attachments.

WORK Describe your work experience as a chef or sommelier in a restaurant or hotel situation. Indicate dates of employment for each job. EXPERIENCE Employer Responsibilities From - Mo/Yr To - Mo/Yr

ESTIMATED Provide an estimate of applicable expenses that will be incurred during the internship. BUDGET Lodging: ……………………………………..…….$

Travel: Meals: …………………………………………..….$

Mileage: miles @ $.55 per mile: …$ Other:

Airfare: ……………………………………...$ …….$

Car Rental: ………………………………...$ …….$

Gasoline for rental: ….…………….. $ …….$

Local Transportation: ……………………..$

Tolls/Parking: ………………………………$

ESSAY Attach a double-spaced, typewritten essay (no more than 500 words) describing your interest in food and wine pairings, and your desire to know more about the wines made from Rhone varietal grapes grown in America. Applicants are encouraged to attach a wine list from their current place of employment.

LETTERS OF Attach three letters of recommendation from food professionals. Their letters should include their name, company, position they hold RECOMMENDATION and relationship to you.

APPLICATION The student is responsible for submitting all materials to Scholarship Management Services on time. Incomplete applications will not be CHECKLIST evaluated. This application becomes complete and valid only when all of the following materials have been received:

 Rhone Rangers Professional Study/Travel Grant Application All materials must be addressed to:  Essay The Rhone Rangers Study/Travel Grant  Three Letters of Recommendation Scholarship Management Services  Proposed itinerary (subject to availability at host wineries) One Scholarship Way Saint Peter, MN 56082 U.S.A.

Postmark deadline June 15, 2016

CERTIFICATION The James Beard Foundation and the Rhone Rangers have the sole responsibility for selecting recipients based on criteria as set forth in the program’s description. This application becomes the property of the James Beard Foundation. (It is recommended you keep a copy for your files.)

I acknowledge decisions are final. I certify I meet eligibility requirements of the program as described in the guidelines and the information provided is complete and accurate to the best of my knowledge. Falsification of information may result in termination of any award granted. If selected as a recipient, I will provide a summary of my experience to the James Beard Foundation.

Applicant’s Signature Date