Last Word Hospitality Launches Tuition-Free Hospitality Industry Training Program

Last Word AcademyLos Angeles-based Last Word Hospitality has launched Last Word Academy, a tuition-free education program focused on improving leadership within the hospitality industry. The innovative program addresses the open-ended challenges of managing a hospitality operation, encouraging attendees to form their own creative solutions to problems in a collaborative team environment. Born from industry vets and LWH partners Adam Weisblatt’s and Holly Fox’s desire to create a comfortable environment for hospitality workers to share their challenges, attend management-level training, and connect with potential employers, Last Word Academy is committed to advancing hospitality by investing in its most important asset – people.

Each class is led by Weisblatt or Fox, alongside special guests. Classes will be offered three days per month, and each topic will have two 14-seat sessions. Encouraging conversation and interaction through a series of discussion topics and case studies, the 90-minute classes will be conducted around a conference table, followed by a 30-minute Q&A session

“It is often difficult to determine a clear path of advancement in the hospitality industry. Inexperienced managers and owners often finding themselves in sink or swim situations, with little or no support, and we want to change this,” states Weisblatt, who first started working in restaurants at the age of 16. “We believe that hospitality has the potential to grow at an exponential level, and we want to help the next generation continue to push forward.”

“Our goal is to teach attendees about the topics they think are off-limits for them to know about because it is not directly in their job description,” adds Fox, who was a Zagat 30 Under 30 in 2016 and has worked in the hospitality industry for over 10 years. “We want to empower people. Everyone from busboys to line cooks to bartenders should feel like they can climb up the ladder and master the ins and outs of the hospitality world.”

Having recently completed beta testing and their first round of classes, Last Word Academy is now taking applications for their March and April sessions. Interested attendees can learn more about upcoming topics or apply for a spot on the Last Word Hospitality website. Forthcoming subjects include:

Financials: Learn What all the Numbers Mean. Hint: No Math is Involved
Emphasis: Understanding a Profit & Loss Statement, Translating Financials to Operations, and Effecting the Bottom Line
March 6th: session one 11am | session two 2pm

Operations: Be the Dependable Professional
Emphasis: Creating a Managerial “Mis en Place,” The Importance of Recruiting & Training, and Maintenance is a Virtue
April 2nd: session one 11am | session two 2pm

Concept & Menu Development: Matching Passion with Strategy
Emphasis: Concept and Strategy Development, Building Cohesive Brands, Programming, and Being Honest with Yourself
April 3rd: session one 11am | session two 2pm