Ben’s Original Supports Black Hospitality Workers
Published 26 August 2022
While 17% of the UK’s hospitality workers are ethnically diverse (Resolution Foundation, 2020), Black employees are among the least likely to be in the highest-paid roles. To combat this, Mars-owned Ben’s Original has launched its Seat at the Table Fund, seeking to promote equity in the UK hospitality industry.
The fund will offer 15 Black hospitality workers – eager to advance their careers – places on selected courses at London’s Leiths School of Food and Wine. Successful applicants can opt for short, specialised classes like Food Styling and Knife Skills, or attend longer accredited professional courses, such as Chef Skills, Plant-Based Essential Cooking and Nutrition in Culinary Practice.
Originally launched in the US in 2020, the fund seeks to inspire Black hospitality workers to reach their career goals – like becoming a professional chef or running a food business. With £50,000 ($58,950) invested by Ben’s Original, the first year of the programme will continue until early 2023.
Additionally, UK non-profit Be Inclusive Hospitality will facilitate three hours of mentorship over three months – providing support and personal development to the selected workers.
“Everyone deserves equal access to opportunities, so we can all develop, progress and succeed in a career we love,” says Mars Food Europe president Dave Dusangh. “However, sadly, there are still barriers that exist within society that mean this isn’t always the case for everyone.”
For an earlier example of how brands are supporting Black workers in the hospitality industry, see Uber Eats’ Black Business Fund.
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Ben’s Original