A spirits fellowship for a lifelong career.

Diageo Learning Skills for Life (LSFL) Fellowship at NOCHI provides specialized spirits industry skills and develops life skills to help program graduates land high-quality industry jobs within NOCHI and Diageo’s large network of employer partners. There is no cost to participate.

Participants receive hands-on training that covers basic spirits and industry skills, food safety, and other bartending fundamentals. They also receive job readiness training, including a range of important professional skills such as interview preparation and conflict resolution. Fellows can use this program as a launchpad to build careers in the New Orleans food industry and beyond.

This class takes place Monday - Friday, 9am - 2pm. Lunch is included.

Classes currently accepting applications:

Jan 13 - 17, 2025
Jan 27 - 31, 2025
Feb 24 - 28, 2025 | PM CLASS - 3:30 - 8:30 pm
March 24 - 28, 2025 | PM CLASS - 3:30 - 8:30 pm

Details Apply Now

Program details & Requirements

Additionally, you must:

Be available to attend each day scheduled for the duration of the program
Have an interest in bartending and the intention to work in the bartending industry
Be comfortable using a computer
Attend every training session in person (~25 hours/week)
Commit to at-home coursework (7-10 hours/week)

LSFL applicants must be:

Age 18 and older
Residents of the Greater New Orleans area
Authorized to work in the United States
Able to communicate (read, write, speak) in basic English
Able to arrive on time
Able to lift 50 pounds (22kg) and stand on your feet for 8 hours

Apply Now

Course Information

+ Who is this for?

This program is designed for anyone who would like to secure an initial bartending job or those looking to up their skills in bartending.

+ Course Content

The Learning Skills for Life fellowship involves a week of onsite instruction at NOCHI. Training will cover topics including:

Introduction to Spirits and Spirits Production
The Essentials of Bartending
Bartending Fundamentals
Responsible Vendor Certification
Life Skills and Job Readiness (such as Interview Preparation, Conflict Resolution, Budgeting)

+ Upcoming Deadlines & Dates

Jan 13 - 17, 2025
Jan 27 - 31, 2025
Feb 24 - 28, 2025 | PM CLASS - 3:30 - 8:30 pm
March 24 - 28, 2025 | PM CLASS - 3:30 - 8:30 pm
April 21 - 25, 2025
May 19 - 23, 2025
June 23 - 27, 2025
July 28 - Aug 1, 2025
Aug 25 - 29, 2025
Sept 22 - 26, 2025
Oct 27 - 31, 2025
Nov 10 - 14, 2025

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. If your desired class is full, we will work with you to find an alternate date.

Please email us with any questions about the application process.

+ Application

There are no fees or tuition associated with this grant-funded program. You can spply here.

+ Learning Objectives

Upon completion of the bar history, skills, tasting, and active practice, participants should be able to formulate their own drinks, recommend alcoholic beverages, utilize time management, and competently step foot behind any bar.

Participants will also leave the program with the following:

Louisiana Responsible Vendor License
Bar kit (tools)
Recipe Quick Reference
The Oxford Companion to Spirits & Cocktails

+ Course Requirements and Materials

NOCHI provides all course materials, a bar tool kit, recipe book, and shirt.

Participants are expected to attend every training session in person (~25 hours over one week) and commit to at-home coursework (7-10 hours/week). Students are required to maintain a final passing grade of 70% or higher in order to pass and receive their certificate.

+ Dress Code

Please wear business casual clothes with closed-toe, non-slip shoes. Clothes with explicit language and jeans or pants with holes or fraying are not permitted.

+ Final Assignments

Prior to graduating from the Learning Skills for Life fellowship, participants must complete the following assignments:

Create Your Own Cocktail
Practical Exam (30 minutes): Consists of a blind tasting
Written Exam (2 hours): Multiple choice exam + four short-answer questions

Meet the instructor.

Jeanette Gauthier, Spirits Instructor

Jeanette Gauthier, or Jet to her friends, is a born and raised local New Orleanian from a family that owned the CBD restaurant, Allegro Bistro. With over 2 decades of experience, Jet began managing restaurants and bartending after obtaining her biochemistry degree and has found a way to use ‘chemistry’ in making cocktails. Bar consulting for restaurants, making menus, inventing recipes, and working with spirits has led her to competing. Competing then led her to television, where she could be found crafting cocktails for News with a Twist, WDSU as the official LSU Bartender. Jet was the Tales of the Cocktail Tasting Room Coordinator for over 12 years, while also managing Allegro Bistro. Jet got the opportunity to really spread her wings in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. She transformed an historic train station into a fine dining restaurant, where it was named Restaurant of the Year. Jet helped open and was the General Manager of Miss River and the Chandelier bar at the Four Seasons. Jet enjoys traveling with her family and friends, while studying what’s trending for bars and restaurants. She has a thirst for knowledge of this industry that just can’t be quenched!

Jet’s first love is her husband, Joshua Gauthier. Her second love is the city of New Orleans. Nothing pleases her more then to send visitors to local haunts and classic Grand Dames of the restaurant industry with her first hand extensive knowledge of this city and surrounding areas. This industry is not Jet’s career, it’s her life!

Apply Now

LSFL in the News

Featured

A Closer Look at Learning Skills for Life

“The point of this program is to help people who have been struggling to get jobs because they don’t have the funds or access to training programs to get jobs in the industry.”

Read the Article

The Inaugural Learning Skills for Life Kicks Off!

Learn about our first class, special guest instructors, and industry partners.

Read the Article

Our Exciting New Partnership with Diageo: Learning Skills for Life!

We’re thrilled to partner with Diageo North America to launch a free 4-week “bartender bootcamp” for our community.

read the article

Schedule & Application

We are currently accepting applications for 2025 but dates have not been announced yet. The fellowship is offered free of charge to eligible participants, and we ask that you review the course info before applying.

Want to learn more?

Drop us a line and a member of the Learning Skills for Life team will get back to you soon.

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