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Negasi

Which Scarf program did you take part in?

Autumn Scarf ’15 at Park Street Dining. 

Why did you want to do Scarf?

I was looking for a job at the time.

What was the most beneficial part of the program?

Networking and getting experience.

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What did you enjoy most at Scarf? 

The best thing about Scarf was meeting different people from different backgrounds. Especially as English is my third language. Doing Scarf helped me develop my English.

Did you feel more confident to find a job after Scarf? 

Yes. Because of having experience from working in the restaurant, and having a mentor beside you.

English is my third language. Doing Scarf helped me develop my English.

Negasi and the Autumn Scarf '15 team of trainees learn about docket writing from Scarf mentor Christos, during the program at Park Street Dining. Photo: Peter Tarasiuk. 

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Have you been involved in any other Scarf events since you graduated?

I worked at the first Do More Than Dine fundraising dinner in 2016. I saw it as a chance to get good, paid experience at a big event. And to meet Matt Preston!

What hospitality industry experience did you have after graduating from Scarf?

I worked at Shebeen bar for almost one year [after connecting with them through a Scarf mentor], then at Garden State Hotel for almost two years as a bartender. I recently left Garden State to move to a full time bartending job at Siglo and City Wine Shop.

I worked as a bartender at Garden State Hotel for almost two years, then moved to Siglo and City Wine Shop. 

Negasi and Kevin at Garden State Hotel. Whilst working there in 2017, Negasi was nominated for the ‘Rookie of the Year’ in Bartender Magazine’s Australian Bar Awards and made it to finalist. Photo: Garden State Hotel.  

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In your hospitality roles, did you ever draw on anything you learned/experienced in the Scarf program?

So much of what I know was learned at Scarf. I got experience with a mentor beside me.

What else have you been up to since graduating?

I've come back to help out with a few things at Scarf, like mentoring during Autumn Scarf '18, running a bar training session during Tasting Plate '19, and working behind the bar during Scarf's 10th birthday party to support the new trainees. I’ve also been studying part time – a Certificate IV to become an Operating Theatre Technician.

What do you hope to be doing 5 years from now?

Hopefully I’ll be working in a hospital as an Operating Theatre Technician.

You were a mentor in the Autumn Scarf ’18 program at Stomping Ground Beer Hall – why did you decide to come back to Scarf to support new trainees?

To give back – it makes you feel good. I was doing it on my only day off, I could have be sleeping but I was volunteering!

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As well as mentoring, Negasi has also volunteered his time as a trainer during our Tasting Plate '19 program. Photo: Roger Ungers

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What is your advice to current and future Scarf trainees?

Be good at anything you do, if you want to improve just ask. Give a smile. Be positive.

What are you most excited about when you mentor new trainees in the program?

To see them get a job at the end of it. To help them to get that experience that they need.

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Negasi working the bar during Scarf Turns 10! at Worksmith in Collingwood. Photos: Kaniography. 

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Is there anything else you’d like to say?

I’m so happy to see Scarf growing. I tell people I’m mentoring on a Tuesday… they ask me “Oh, at Scarf?” So many people know about it now, it’s awesome.

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Update January 2021:

How are you Negasi, and what are you up to at the moment?

I'm really well. I'm working full time as an Operating Theatre Technician and I recently bought a house. 

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Negasi working at Do More Than Dine '16. Photo: Gareth Sobey

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NB: The above Q+A was conducted in person in April 2018, with updates made in mid-2020, and again in January 2021. Portrait Photo: Gareth Sobey

Published: 15th November, 2019

Updated: 11th April, 2022

Author: JENNIFER CONROY SMITH

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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.

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