Historically marginalized and under-resourced public high school students face substantial challenges in accessing career opportunities within the culinary and hospitality industry. These students often lack the financial and professional support required to explore, understand, and network within these fields. To address these challenges, TAO Group Hospitality in partnership with Mohari launched the ‘Tao Culinary Youth Development Summer Program’, an 8-week paid summer program specifically for high school culinary students. The program covers culinary fundamentals, with participants gaining exposure to various roles and responsibilities in a professional kitchen, as well as insight into various career pathways, including opportunities in restaurants, catering, hospitality, food media and culinary education. The program launched in NYC, in partnership with the Food Education Fund (FEF), a non-profit playing a pivotal role bridging the gap between public high schools, the culinary and hospitality industries, and students. The first edition of the program invited five FEF students from across NYC to gain experience inside the kitchens of Cathédrale, TAO Downtown, and Sake No Hana. The program plans to expand to other major cities with Tao Group Hospitality venues in 2025 and beyond.
Doing good for others and the community through volunteering not only impacts the people and projects we volunteer for it can also provide a healthy boost to our self-confidence, self-esteem, sense of purpose, and well-being. TAO Cares and Mohari have teamed up to provide support and encourage all TAO hourly team members to participate in volunteering opportunities for good causes in their local community.
Mohari teamed up with its partner Riviera Dining Group to raise awareness and money for Lotus House Women’s Shelter in Miami throughout Women’s History Month. Chef Michaelidis and his culinary team created a limited-edition Lavender Olive Oil Cake which made a special appearance on the menus of MILA Restaurant, MILA Lounge, MM and AVA MediterrAegean. A total of 913 desserts were sold with 100% of the proceeds donated to Lotus House with a donation match from Mohari. Lotus House is the largest women’s shelter in the US, supporting 1,550+ women, youth and children annually. Lotus House provides a sanctuary, supportive wrap-around services and comprehensive multi-faceted programming that help its clients heal, learn, grow, thrive and successfully exit the shelter system. The funds donated by RDG and Mohari will be used to support emergency shelter, services and programming for women, youth and children at Lotus House.
For over 20 years Easterseals Culinary Arts High School has uniquely addressed the needs for high-quality, developmentally appropriate, culturally competent education and vocational training to help students aged 14-22 with autism and other disabilities in Miami-Dade County. The programme improves the life and financial literary skills and expands the employment opportunities for the 30 students enrolled annually. Students participate in both academic classroom instruction and a vocational skills programme, which includes both back of house and front of house tasks and providing meals to 140 students every day. Students also participate in special events and activities that provide real world experience. Easterseals wants every child to reach his/her full potential and every adult to live the fullest and most dignified life possible. Mohari is proud to be providing funding towards the overheads of the programme.
Mohari and Riviera Dining Group (RDG) are collaborating with Casa Valentina to provide meaningful career development opportunities to former foster care youth. During a 3-week period, 6 of Casa Valentina’s residents (aged 18-23 years) will be spending time with RDG’s HR, Marketing, and Reservations/Group Sales departments to gain knowledge and experience of these back of house functions within the hospitality sector to see if they wish to pursue a career in any of these fields.
