Sodexo Live! and NOCHI Launch Groundbreaking Program to Empower Next Generation of Hospitality Professionals
Sodexo Live!, the hospitality partner to the world’s most iconic venues, has joined forces with the New Orleans Culinary & Hospitality Institute (NOCHI) to revitalize the city’s hospitality industry. This innovative partnership will focus on upskilling workers, expanding career opportunities, and preparing the next generation of industry professionals.
The multifaceted partnership will include professional development training at NOCHI for Sodexo Live! team members to help bolster their skill sets with specialized training courses such as knife skills, sauce making, front-of-house hospitality skills, and more. NOCHI students will also benefit from exclusive internships and on-the-job training opportunities at Sodexo Live! properties in the New Orleans area and around the world.
“The hospitality industry has faced significant challenges post-COVID, but finding and retaining qualified talent remains an issue,” said Belinda Oakley, CEO, Sodexo Live! North America. “Our partnership with NOCHI aims to tackle these pain points head-on by providing meaningful training and career advancement opportunities for both new and existing talent. We believe this program has the potential to not only strengthen the talent pipeline, but also serve as a catalyst for similar programs in cities across the country.”
“Upskilling and training for hospitality workers is an investment in New Orleans’ people, culture, and economy,” said Gerald Duhon, NOCHI Executive Director. “Working with an industry powerhouse like Sodexo Live!, who has overseen some of the most iconic global events like the Paris Olympics and the upcoming Super Bowl, will provide hospitality workers and our students with unmatched opportunities to learn and excel.”
To launch the partnership, Sodexo Live! and NOCHI are hosting two free, three-hour Taste of Hospitality trainings on Tuesday, December 3, and Wednesday, December 4 at NOCHI, 745 Howard Avenue, New Orleans. Open to all New Orleans hospitality workers, Sodexo Live! Experience Makers and NOCHI hospitality trainers will facilitate the workshops to help frontline staff prepare for the major events New Orleans will host in the coming months. The next training sessions will be announced later this month, and are open to all hospital industry professionals.
Benefits for NOCHI Students
·As a benefit of the Sodexo Live! partnership, NOCHI students can apply for paid internship opportunities and on-the-job rotations at Sodexo Live! properties like Caesars Superdome, the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, and the National WWII Museum where they’ll work closely with property staff to learn about all aspects of the culinary and hospitality industries, from mastering the supply chain to welcoming venue visitors.
In addition, two students each year will earn the chance to travel to Paris for a week-long immersive experience where they’ll visit and train with world-class chefs and hospitality professionals at Sodexo properties like the Michelin-starred Jules Verne and Madame Brasserie in the Eiffel Tower; the boats on the Seine; and The Lenôtre School of Culinary Arts, leaving with unparalleled knowledge that will set them apart in their careers.
“For our students, the partnership with Sodexo Live! offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to gain hands-on experience and develop industry-leading skills,” said Gerald Duhon, NOCHI executive director. “NOCHI’s Culinary Arts, Baking & Pastry Arts certificate programs, along with the Hospitality Investment Training (HIT) program and our collaboration with Sodexo Live!, will further elevate and reinforce New Orleans' reputation as a global leader in food and hospitality excellence,” added Duhon.
For more information on the Sodexo Live! and NOCHI partnership please visit the NOCHI website.
About Sodexo Live!
Sodexo Live! manages prestigious convention, cultural, and sporting venues and major events all over the world. With 40,000 employees and 500 sites, Sodexo Live! offers clients a range of bespoke catering, sales, and event management services, helping to transform the consumer experience into unforgettable memories. Sodexo Live! commits to unlocking customers’ full potential while favoring local communities. Sodexo Live! contributes to the success of prestigious events such as Royal Ascot, the Tour de France, the Rugby World Cup and soon the Paris 2024 Games, and showcases exceptional venues such as the Eiffel Tower Restaurants, Bateaux Parisiens, Yachts de Paris, the Royal Academy of Arts in London, the Museo del Prado in Madrid, Hard Rock Stadium, the Scottish National Gallery, and the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles.
About NOCHI
New Orleans Culinary & Hospitality Institute (NOCHI) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that educates a diverse community of learners to sustain an ever-evolving hospitality industry. We offer a platform for professional and personal growth, increasing access and minimizing barriers to career pathways while supporting the promotion and economic development of the culinary arts and hospitality industry.