NEW ORLEANS (press release) – New Orleans Culinary & Hospitality Institute (NOCHI) and New Orleans & Company announced the launch of Serving Up Hospitality, a free five-part training series designed to strengthen both careers and customer experiences throughout the region.
Open exclusively to employees of New Orleans & Company member businesses, the organizations share that Serving Up Hospitality is built to support personal and professional growth for workers across the hospitality ecosystem. The program offers expert instruction at no cost to participants or employers. The New Orleans tourism and hospitality industry employs over 80,000 people in thousands of restaurants and attractions, as well as hundreds of hotels.
“Our city’s identity is deeply tied to hospitality, and our reputation depends on the people who bring that experience to life every day,” said Gerald Duhon, executive director of NOCHI. “Through this training, we’re investing directly in those professionals, offering them real tools to grow in their careers while enriching the guest experience that sets New Orleans apart.”
The five seminars, each offered on multiple dates throughout September and October, cover essential industry and life skills:
- Functional Skills I: Food & beverage fundamentals, steps of service, art of anticipation
- Hospitality Fundamentals I: Guest experience, professional conduct, service recovery
- Life Skills: Time management, goal setting, financial literacy
- Functional Skills II: Workplace communication, employee retention strategies, road to management
- Hospitality Fundamentals II: Body language, guest interaction, creating memorable moments
Seminars will take place from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. at NOCHI’s campus at 725 Howard Ave. in downtown New Orleans. Participants may attend sessions in any order and are not required to complete them consecutively. Once all five seminars are completed, attendees will receive a certificate of completion to demonstrate their commitment to hospitality excellence.
“We are pleased to partner with NOCHI, one of our incredible learning institutions in New Orleans, who inspires and supports our next generation of culinary and hospitality stars,” said Kevin Ferguson, vice president of External Affairs and Membership for New Orleans & Company. “New Orleans is known worldwide for superior hospitality, and it is our honor to continue to invest in the professionals who deliver that exceptional service to guests of our city. ‘Serving Up Hospitality’ is another way that we are fulfilling our strategic goal of making New Orleans a great place to live, work and visit.”
Registration is now open. Participants will receive additional details, including parking and logistics, upon confirmation. For more information or to register, visit www.nochi.org/serving-up-hospitality or call 504-635-0025.
