Setting The Stage For Opportunity
Setting The Stage For Opportunity
Turning Tables is a workforce development arm of a multi-pronged approach to systemic change. Founded in New Orleans, we work in tandem to create a generative and expanding ecosystem and transform the world into a more equitable future. Through our partnerships and community that we have built in solidarity, we are building a legacy of black and brown faces leading the hospitality and spirits industry. Here are the stories from the past cohort that define the experience of program and the community that makes it happen.
We are grateful for all of those in our community both locally and nationally that make it happen. We could not do this without you!
Touissant & Tommy: Hotel Chloe
Tommy Linville was one of the first early stage mentors of Turning Tables, working behind the bar with Cohort 3 alum, Brittany Taylor at Will & The Way (the bar formerly known as Longway Tavern). After taking a brief hiatus from the industry, Tommy has returned in the mix to mentor Touissant Trahan of Cohort 7 at Hotel Chloe.
“Working at the Chloe has really stepped up my bartending game to a whole new level,” Touissant says. Tommy says, “Taking Touissant on not only has been a pleasure to handover skills to the next generation, but also sparked and re-awakened a passion for me to be a person who teaches in this field.” The two meet twice a week as a part of his externship to hone in on helping gain more confidence behind the bar. “Being able to interact with guests from all over the world while serving delicious drinks has been a dream come true.”
Ty DaSilva & Andrew Lohfield: Roulaison Distilling
Roulaison Distillery has been an integral piece of the Turning Tables curriculum during rum week since the very beginning. This year owner, Andrew Lohfield took it a step even further, taking extern Ty DaSilva and opening up the opportunity for a career pathway in Distillation and Production.
“It's very exciting to have a groups of folks that are so excited about the process here and bringing a diverse community into the distilling world, says Lohfield.”
“I love the education piece. For me. it's, it's all about expanding everyone's knowledge. And I think it's a great opportunity just to be able to to have that information be more widely known.”
A Community of Support Making Systemic Change
“As the cohorts grow and change so does the curriculum. As the industry shifts and makes changes
it’s been pleasant to watch Turning Tables respond to those changes in real time.”
- Deniseea Head aka Chicken & Champagne
Black woman owned, business owner, storyteller - Her story, her mentorship, her inspiration.
Mrs. Deniseea Head brings to the table a masterful use of social media to educate, advocate, and shine authentically as herself! As she partners with brands on collaborations, her breadth and depth of flavorful exploration continues to expand. Denisia’s valuable input has helped shape our curriculum and the career pathways we direct our cohorts to pursue. We need expanders like her to pave the way for up and coming talent, to disrupt the systems we inherited, and to collaboratively define the new way of the industry.