What's a Scarf Dinner? By attending a Scarf Dinner or event, you’re making a real difference to the lives of young people who have faced barriers to work. Professionals do the cooking and Scarf trainees and mentors take care of the front of house. Scarf Dinners take place in different venues each season, and have run at the likes of Capitano, Liminal, Rumi, Stomping Ground Brewery & Beer Hall and Bhang. If you’re booking a Scarf Dinner, you can expect delicious food, a top-notch drinks list, attentive service, a fun and buzzy atmosphere and the opportunity to provide valuable feedback as the trainees build their confidence. . Our next Scarf Dinners will run on Tuesday 4th, 11th and 18th August, as part of our Winter Scarf '26 program. Find out more and book your spot! To see what's been happening, view the Scarf Calendar. . . What's a Scarf Dinner? Scarf Dinners are a core part of our model, enabling Seasonal Program trainees to gain paid front-of-house work experience in a top-notch Melbourne venue. We typically run 2 or 3 Scarf Dinners each seasonal program, at a partner venue. Scarf Dinners allow the seasonal cohort of trainees to put their newly learned skills and knowledge into play in a hands-on, supportive work environment, whilst working alongside Scarf mentors (hospitality professionals who volunteer with us). Whilst we provide "real-world" work experience, Scarf staff, mentors and trainers work within a Trauma-Informed Framework with a strong focus on Trainee Wellbeing and Boosting Job-Readiness. Our parter venues are a key part of Scarf's model, and we proudly pay them to cater Scarf Dinners. . Trainees Scarf trainees are resilient young people seeking protection and those from refugee and migrant backgrounds who are facing barriers to work. Many have experienced long-term unemployment and for most trainees, Scarf is their first taste of paid employment in Australia. Following their involvement in a Scarf program, graduates are provided with up to six months of post-program support from Scarf in order to give them the best chance at securing employment beyond the program. We're proud that 72% of participants from our 10-week Seasonal Programs are in employment within six months of graduating.. . Winter Scarf '25 Trainees, photographed by Roger Ungers at Bhang.. . Mentors Scarf mentors are hospitality professionals who volunteer their time to play a crucial role during Scarf Dinners. They are paired up with a trainee (generally in a one-to-one ratio) and give guidance and support as the trainees build their skills and confidence serving you, our wonderful guests. Mentors also provide networks into the hospitality industry. Mentoring in action during a Spring Scarf '25 dinner at Molli, photographed by Laura May Grogan. . Accessibility All Scarf Partner venues are fully wheelchair accessible. If you have any queries regarding accessibility, please get in touch with us via [email protected]. . Drinks A fantastic drinks list is offered at Scarf Events thanks to generous support from our Hospitality Partners including Unico Zelo Wine, NON, Stomping Ground Brewing Co, Starward Whisky, Bathtub Gin Co, Daylesford & Hepburn Mineral Springs Co, Archie Rose, Maidenii, Marionette, Campari, Five Senses Coffee and more. Lately, we've been doing some really fun cocktail cocktail collaborations which provide professional development (and additional paid work experience) to Scarf Graduates. Learn about our co-created cocktail lists from graduates Rose and Kimiya. . . Trainee Wages Scarf is committed to remunerating our participants for all work undertaken during Scarf Dinners and events, and partner work experience shifts. Our trainees and graduates are paid Restaurant Industry Award wages, directly by Scarf, and in doing this we show our trainees and graduates that they are valued, and demonstrate what fair working conditions look like in Australia. . Spring Scarf '25 dinner at Molli, photographed by Laura May Grogan. . Bookings Policy As per Scarf's booking policy, prepaid tickets to Scarf Events are non-refundable. This policy was put in place to protect us from last minute cancellations which compromise Scarf's viability as a sustainable social enterprise. If you’re unable to honour your booking, you’re welcome to pass on your ticket/s to a friend. . . Regular Scarf diners say: “When people see the hope and happiness on the trainees' faces they begin to understand what is possible, and that they can be agents for change. It is positive and empowering for both diners and trainees.” “There's nothing but good vibes and respect in the room.” “Scarf Dinners happen in great restaurants... and as a diner you can see that there is really good and supportive training.” . . Sounds like a great night out? We recommend you sign up to our newsletter to make sure you find out about all of our upcoming events and news. You can find us on Instagram and Facebook too. Check out past and upcoming Scarf Events on our calendar here. . . . Cover Image: Spring Scarf '25 at Molli, photographed by Laura May Grogan.