A Scarf Dinner is a top-quality dining experience which changes lives. It’s similar to a night out in a great restaurant, except that by dining with Scarf, you’re making a real difference to the lives of young people who have faced barriers to work. The chefs from our partner restaurant design and cook a set menu, and Scarf trainees and mentors take care of the front of house. Scarf Dinners have run at some of Melbourne's best restaurants, like Uncle, Ladro, Higher Ground, Stomping Ground Brewery & Beer Hall, Bhang and Copperpot Seddon.

Sponsorship from some of the most legendary booze-makers means we can also offer a fantastic drinks list - think Unico Zelo wine, Four Pillars gin, Stomping Ground beer, Starward whisky and more! 

If you’re booking in to 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. 

If you dine early in the season, nerves might be high and there may not be a perfect reciting of the menu! Towards the end of the season you’ll probably see the trainees owning the floor while the mentors step into the background. Some people like to dine early and late in the season, to see the huge progress made throughout the program. 

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But hey, don’t just listen to us! Here are some words from regular Scarf diners*:

“People are helping and having a wonderful experience at the same time. 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.” 

“Scarf Dinners happen in great restaurants so the participants - diners and trainee waiters - benefit from the ambience and resources of an established restaurant. As a diner you can see that there is really good and supportive training.”

“Scarf Dinners actually give refugees an opportunity for skills and work placement.” 

“It's a social enterprise that people (ie. paying customers) actually want to engage with. It provides a realistic work environment for trainees that leads to actual job opportunities. Everyone wins; the diners get a great meal too.” 

“I love coming to Scarf Dinners because they’re a great example of 'shared value' - the restaurants do good while advancing their business at the same time. It also makes it very easy for diners to make a positive contribution to the community - win, win!”

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*diner quotes were collected during a 2017 evaluation which saw us surveying trainees, mentors and regular attendees of Scarf Dinners

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Sounds like a great night out?

Get on the list to be the first to know about Spring Scarf Dinners '22. And, we recommend you sign up to our newsletter to make sure you find out about all of our upcoming events.  

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Cover Image: Autumn Scarf Dinner at The Rochey in action. Photo: Linsey Rendell