Skip over main navigation
  • Log in
  • Basket: (0 items)
Scarf Community

 Donate  Shop  Become a Trainee  Become a Mentor 

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
Menu
  • About
    • What We Do
    • Our Approach
      • Hands-On Hospitality Training
      • Trainee & Graduate Wellbeing
      • Boosting Job Readiness
      • Trauma-Informed Approach
    • The Scarf Story
    • Vision, Mission & Values
    • Meet The Team
      • The Scarf Team
      • Trainees
      • Mentors
      • The Scarf Board
  • Programs
    • Program Overview
    • Who We Work With
    • 10-Week Seasonal Program
    • Skill Up with Scarf
    • Scarf Tasting Plate
    • Tasting Plate for Women
    • Graduate Focus Group
  • Scarf Dinners
    • Scarf Dinners 2023
    • What's a Scarf Dinner?
    • Partner Restaurants
    • Bookings/Refund Policy
  • Shop
  • Social Impact
    • The Difference We Make
    • Facts & Figures
    • Graduate Q & A
      • Wesley
      • Liz
      • Mel
      • Hayuran
      • Rawan
      • Danny
      • Diana
      • Negasi
      • Emma
      • Thelma
      • Mir
  • Supporters
    • Diners
    • Partners
    • Funders
    • Scarf Ambassadors
  • Get Involved
    • Hospitality Mentoring
    • Become a Partner Restaurant
  • Give
    • Donate
    • Scarf's Charity Status
    • Workplace Giving
    • Corporate Partnerships
    • 2022 Mid-year fundraising campaign
  • What's Happening
    • Scarf Dinners 2023
    • Our News
    • Events & Fundraising
    • Media Mentions
    • Scarf Campaigns
      • Do More Than Dine
      • Do More Than Drink
    • Stay Home with Scarf
  • Say Hello
  • Admin
    • Log in
  • Basket: (0 items)

Liz

This Scarf graduate Q & A is part of our 'Stay Home with Scarf' campaign. Find out more here. .


.

Which Scarf program did you take part in?

Winter Scarf '19 at Uncle.

Which country were you born in?

Mauritius.

Why did you apply for the Scarf program?

I wanted to meet new friends and learn the best skills in hospitality.

.

What was your experience of job-hunting/applying for jobs before you came to Scarf?

Very often I did not get a response and I did not have a good reference for guiding me in sending my resume. I feel a low confidence and sad.

.

The Winter Scarf '19 team at Uncle. L to R: Wafaa, Rosetta, Bronya, Liz, Josie, Helen & Don. Photo: Peter Tarasiuk

.

How did you hear about Scarf?

I heard about it through social media and Scarf's website.

What what you were expecting at Scarf? What surprised you most?

I did the Scarf program with an openness to learn and it was successful. I was surprised to feel the happiness, lots of fun and love besides the learning parts of the program.

.

   

Liz gained weekly paid work experience during Scarf Dinners at Uncle during our Winter Scarf '19 season. Photo: Peter Tarasiuk

.

What was the most valuable thing you got from participating in Scarf?

Learning to be more confident and always do things well, on time and with love.

I did the Scarf program with an openness to learn and it was successful. My mentors were very professional, caring and helped me a lot to gain my confidence.

.

   

Training during Winter Scarf '19 - hands-on coffee sessions with Adrian from Five Senses

.

Do you think working with a mentor is a positive thing? If so, why?

Yes. My mentors were very professional, caring and helped me a lot to gain my confidence.

Did the Scarf program help to increase your confidence? If so, why?

Yes, the Scarf program makes me believes in myself and become a better hospitality staff in my workplace.

.  

Bar training at Garden State Hotel with Scarf mentor (and Sandhill Road Group legend) Kevin. Photo: Sanjay Productions.

.

Tell us about the first job you got after you finished Scarf. 

I started working as a catering assistant at Chefs On the Run. I was employed casually for 30 hours a week. I loved working with the chefs and discovering the different style of cooking. I worked there for five months. My career goal is to become a Chef.

It is very special to work every day [at FareShare] and serve the most needy community during the difficult time at the moment. Everything is provided to keep all the employees safe at the moment. I love my job. 

.

Winter Scarf '19 team after a hotel tour and "mocktail" training session with Holly and Tom at Pullman Melbourne on The Park

.

Have you been involved in anything else at Scarf since you graduated? 

I always stay in touch with Scarf social events and fundraising. I was a waitress at Melbourne Women's Fund end of year dinner at Uncle restaurant last November. In February 2020, I was in the merchandise and ticket raffle team at the Scarf Turns 10! awesome party. Being a Scarf graduate is very special. It is always fun, happy and caring when graduates, trainees and mentors meet for an event or a dinner.

.

   

Liz and some of the Winter Scarf '19 graduates working at the Melbourne Women's Fund end-of-year dinner at Uncle. Cameo appearances by Uncle co-owner and head chef Dai (left) and Uncle front-of-house manager and Scarf mentor Alix (right)

..

Where are you working right now? 

In June I started a new full time kitchen attendant position within a food rescue and charitable organisation: FareShare, after connecting with them through Scarf. I am working in the pastry and packing section. I am very happy to get the opportunity and to be part of the awesome kitchen team at FareShare. 

What's the best thing about your job? 

It is very special to work every day and serve the most needy community during the difficult time at the moment. Everything is provided to keep all the employees safe at the moment. I love my job. I’ll soon be able to move into a private studio for myself, pay all my bills with my next pay. I’m so grateful for that. 

.

   

Liz hard at work in the FareShare kitchen. Photos: Josie Hayden for Leader Newspaper

.

Would you like to become a mentor or trainer at Scarf in the future? 

Yes, I would like to help other trainees and share my experience.

Do you have any words of advice for other young people who are interested in participating in Scarf?

Scarf is a special, caring and loving community. Just be yourself and happy to learn.

.

Winter Scarf '19 team of trainees and mentors at Uncle. Photo: Sanjay Productions.

.

.
.
.
Photo: Bronya and Liz relax after gaining paid work experience at Scarf Turns 10! at Worksmith Collingwood. Photo: Kaniography
Portrait photo: Sanjay Productions

NB: The above Q+A was conducted via email in July 2020.

Published: 4th August, 2020

Updated: 8th October, 2020

Author: Hannah Brennan

Share this page
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Latest

  • Scarf Dinners 2023

    Scarf Dinners 2023

    We're planning to run plenty of Scarf Dinners in 2023, with Autumn Scarf '23 kicking off in March in Melbourne's inner west. Find out more and get ready to dine with us!

  • Spring Scarf Dinners '22

    Spring Scarf Dinners '22

    Spring Scarf Dinners will run in partnership with The Mulberry Group on Wednesday nights from 12 October - 30 November. Dinners will be held at Liminal with food by Hazel and service from Scarf trainees and mentors. Book now!

  • Programs

    Programs

    At Scarf, we run a range of hands-on hospitality and job-readiness programs for young people seeking protection and those from refugee or migrant backgrounds who are facing barriers to employment. Find out more.

  • Scarf 2022 Mid-year fundraising campaign

    Scarf 2022 Mid-year fundraising campaign

    We need your help to raise $25K in 25 days so that Scarf can continue transforming lives through hospitality. With the help of some of Scarf's wonderful partners and friends, we'll be able to double it!

Most read

  • Winter Scarf Dinners '22

    Winter Scarf Dinners '22

    Scarf Dinners will kick off in 2022 in partnership with Pipis Kiosk and Perry's: A Refreshment Club. Join us and support recent Scarf graduates to gain paid work experience while enjoying a seriously delicious set menu.

  • Spring Scarf Dinners '22

    Spring Scarf Dinners '22

    Spring Scarf Dinners will run in partnership with The Mulberry Group on Wednesday nights from 12 October - 30 November. Dinners will be held at Liminal with food by Hazel and service from Scarf trainees and mentors. Book now!

  • Scarf 2021 Mid-year fundraising appeal

    Scarf 2021 Mid-year fundraising appeal

    Help us provide training, mentoring, paid work experience and job readiness support to 50 young people this year!

  • Winter Scarf Dinners

    Winter Scarf Dinners

    Dine with us and help our new cohort of trainees gain awesome training, mentoring and paid work experience at one of Melbourne's best venues!

  • What We Do

    What We Do

  • What's a Scarf Dinner?

    What's a Scarf Dinner?

  • The Scarf Team

    The Scarf team comprises a bunch of passionate staff members and volunteers who are committed to Scarf's Vision, Mission and Values.

  • Scarf 2022 Mid-year fundraising campaign

    Scarf 2022 Mid-year fundraising campaign

    We need your help to raise $25K in 25 days so that Scarf can continue transforming lives through hospitality. With the help of some of Scarf's wonderful partners and friends, we'll be able to double it!

  • The Scarf Board

    We're thrilled to welcome five new board members in the second half of 2022 and beginning of 2023. Meet the Scarf board here!

  • Our Vision, Mission and Values

    Our Vision, Mission and Values

    Vision: A society which embraces diversity, celebrates connected communities, and has equitable employment opportunities for all. Mission: To create a nourishing, supportive and inclusive space for trainees to gain confidence, skills, knowledge and networks. To foster connections in the hospitality industry to create equitable employment opportunities.

Sign up for our newsletter

Please enter your first name
Please enter your last name
Please enter your email address Please enter a valid email address (e.g. [email protected])

Find us


Worksmith
450 Smith St
Collingwood
VIC 3066


[email protected]

Links

  • Sitemap
  • Accessibility
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy

Scarf respectfully acknowledges the traditional owners of the land where we work and meet, the Boon wurrung and Woiwurrung (Wurundjeri) peoples of the Kulin nation. We acknowledge that this land was never ceded and we pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.

Follow us

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram

© Copyright 2019 Scarf Community Organisation Melbourne