Empowering the Next Generation of Culinary Leaders

Toast.org is working towards cultivating a diverse, thriving workforce of restaurant operators and employees by empowering the next generation of culinary talent. Rooted in the core belief that hospitality is all about people, Toast.org committed $500,000 to C•CAP (Culinary Careers Program) in 2024 as part of a two-year partnership. C•CAP is a nonprofit that provides culinary training and career-readiness skills, primarily to historically underserved middle and high school students, with 90% of students identifying as people of color.

Beyond the financial contribution, Toast and C•CAP are working together to equip these future leaders with practical skills that will help them thrive in the workforce. This includes donating Toast point-of-sale (POS) systems, handheld devices, and kitchen display systems to select C•CAP classrooms, allowing students to gain hands-on experience with the same industry-leading technology they’ll encounter in top restaurants.

Additionally, Toast employees volunteer their time, offering mentorship, resume reviews, and mock interviews, helping address the industry’s labor challenges by strengthening the pipeline of skilled workers and fostering a more diverse, inclusive, and enduring restaurant community.