Mixer brand Double Dutch has selected 14 recipients for its 2026 Female Bartending Scholarship, a programme launched by co-founders Joyce and Raissa de Haas in 2021 to boost women’s leadership in hospitality, featuring mentorship, training and career development.
The scholarship marked its sixth year and expanded beyond the UK after growing interest; applications rose 35% year on year in 2026. Winners will join an expanded schedule of virtual and in-person workshops covering drinks education, confidence building, personal branding and professional development, with sessions hosted at Swingers West End, 58 & Co Distillery and The Chancery Rosewood.
Graduates will join an alumni network with lifetime invites to networking events, helping women access industry roles and leadership pathways and reflecting a broader trend toward targeted upskilling and diversity-driven talent pipelines in hospitality.
Image Credit: Maksym Fesenko / Shutterstock
Why This Trend Is Growing
- Diversity-driven Talent Pipelines
- Targeted scholarship programs and alumni networks are reshaping recruitment funnels to prioritize underrepresented leaders, creating new pathways for talent sourcing and retention.
- Hybrid Upskilling Programs
- The blend of virtual workshops and in-person experiential sessions is redefining professional development models by enabling scalable, mixed-modality learning for service roles.
- Brand-led Professional Education
- Consumer brands are increasingly operating as education providers, leveraging credibility and venues to deliver industry-specific training and shape workforce standards.
Industries Being Reshaped
- Hospitality and Foodservice
- Growing investment in leadership-focused training signals a shift toward internal talent development that could alter hiring practices and career progression frameworks.
- Beverage and Mixer Brands
- Mixer companies acting as program sponsors and hosts are extending their role into talent development and community building, which may influence product positioning and brand loyalty.
- Professional Training and Edtech
- Platforms combining virtual learning with experiential partnerships are emerging to meet niche vocational needs, potentially disrupting traditional hospitality training providers.
