Provide 15 women in Vietnam with chef training

The Graduation Ceremony is one of our most important and special events at KOTO, where we recognise the hard work, commitments and dedication of our trainees. Two years is not a long time for someone to transform from a vulnerable background and low self-esteem to become an employable, confident young adult ready to pursue their next dream in the hospitality world, yet they all made it possible. We were beyond proud to present 97 young hospitality professionals from Class 34, 35, 36 and HER TURN: Women Economic Empowerment Class 5 at the KOTO Graduation Ceremony this year on the 21st of June, 2022. The beautiful event venue was fully sponsored by JW Marriot, alongside Box Hill Institute and other sponsors providing cash and donations in kind.

The event was attended by over 800 guests, who travel from afar to Hanoi to witness the achievements of our graduates. The theme of our Graduation Ceremony this year was RESILIENCE, the concept is built on a mosaic art that always finds ways to rise in balance and stillness, through challenges and storms, while still being resilient. This theme not only reflects our persistence throughout the most challenging years of COVID but also reminds us how resilient our trainees are to stay with us through thick and thin, and the sponsors and partners who have resiliently supported our vision despite all the challenges brought by the global pandemic. The event is a great opportunity for us to thank them gracefully for walking with us on this journey.

We would like to thank the H.E. Pilar Mendez Jimenez – Ambassador of Spain to Vietnam, H.E. Mark Tattersall – Deputy Ambassador, Embassy of Australia, Laura Macpherson – Representative of the President at Box Hill Institute, Mark van der Wielen – General Manager at JW Marriott Hanoi Hotel, and over 500 representatives from other embassies, businesses and community partners, sponsors, KOTO alumni, as well as the families of graduates for joining us to celebrate this special milestone of our graduates.

We would also like to especially, congratulate the 95 KOTO graduates!

Additional to training sessions and praticing hours at restaurants, KOTO also focuses on creating extra curriculum activities to bring our trainees a comprehensive development:

On June, our class 40 trainees joined a workshop on reproductive health organized by MSI Reproductive Choices in Viet Nam. With funding from the Australian Government, MSI Reproductive Choices in Vietnam (MSV) collaborated with IPPF (International Planned Parenthood Federation) to implement the RESPOND project over the period of 2 years to ensure communities affected by the COVID-19 pandemic in the Asia Pacific region understand more about sexual, reproductive health and rights.

The RESPOND project aims to promote equitable and high-quality reproductive health information and services for vulnerable groups, with an innovative approach to restoring services impacted by COVID-19, including groups of female workers and rural women in the provinces and cities.

KOTO is very fortunate to be selected as the organization receiving this kind of support from MSI. With the information, our trainees gain the knowledge to protect the health of themselves as well as their community. We would like to thank our partner MSI for their work in supporting us.

The Dream Trip 2022 ended with laughs, wonderful experiences and appreciation. After 2 years delayed by the Covid 19, the KOTO team was excited to bring back this annual week-long adventure to our trainees class 40.

It is a chance for our trainees to experience vacation and explore different parts of Vietnam and take part in team-building activities, for many KOTO trainees, it is the first time they are on holiday and seeing the beach. In 5 days, the trainees had the opportunity to visit Vietnam's scenic spots such as Hue Imperial City, Hoi An Ancient Town, Bay Mau coconut forest and My Khe Beach (the most beautiful beach in Da Nang). Besides, this is also a worthful occasion for the trainees in class 40 to observe and understand the professional service of several famous restaurants and hotels.

Massive thanks to our sponsors for Dream Trip 2022 because without you, our trainees could not have such a wonderful trip for their lifetime memories during the study period at KOTO.

Local not-for-profit social enterprise KOTO (Know One, Teach One) reopened its flagship restaurant in Dong Da, KOTO Van Mieu in the beginning of April 2022. 

KOTO Founder Jimmy Pham was also eager to reopen a smaller, more refined restaurant at the popular location which is where so many trainees got their start.

“It’s been a long journey but the support from the local and international community has made it all possible. We’re excited to have brought our mission and impact back to where it all began,” he said.

After 21 years of operating beside Hanoi’s Temple of Literature, KOTO’s first restaurant at 59 Van Mieu closed in August 2020 as the tourist clientele disappeared due to COVID-19. Though disappointing, this also created an opportunity and ‘KOTO Villa’ in Tay Ho was born. In addition to high quality dishes, the restaurant has expanded into catering services further propelling the skillset of KOTO graduates. The restaurant in Tay Ho, will continue to remain in operation largely targeting the expat community. 

“I never received the chance to work at KOTO Van Mieu but it's where all my brothers and sisters have worked so I am very excited! Also, I want to practice speaking English to people who come to visit Vietnam”. -Lan Anh, Class 37

KOTO Van Mieu is once again located next to the Temple of Literature and features traditional Vietnamese set menus with long-term serving Head Chef Phong and Sous Chef Hau running the establishment and staffed exclusively by KOTO’s best trainees. 

On 13 April, KOTO trainees Class 34 & 36 successfully passed their final assessment at five star resort in Dai Lai. They managed to run a dinner which hosted nearly 50 guests including managers at professional hotels and famous chefs in Vietnam. By their teamwork spirit and advanced skills, the trainees were appreciated by the guests as well as KOTO trainers. Congratulations to our talented trainees who have taken their all efforts to run the event despite the challenges caused by the covid19. Class 34 and 36 were trainees who went with KOTO during the most difficult time. They witnessed the closure of KOTO Van Mieu restaurant in 2020, the moving of KOTO training center in 2021 and had to disrupt their internships during a 4 months lockdown in Vietnam.

We would like to say thank you to them for their patience, for their understanding and for never giving up. After everything, what they receive is the recognition of all KOTO staff as well as other participants, the opportunity to have job placement at professional hotels and restaurants, and the belief in their future. 

And as annual, KOTO will have a graduation ceremony to celebrate our trainees ending their two year course at KOTO. The ceremony will be held this June with the participation of our supporters, partners, trainees and their family. It has been 2 years since we organized our last graduation ceremony as a result of Covid19 so this year we look forward to bringing a memorable event to all of our “family” and friends. 

Thanks to GlobalGiving and our sponsors for helping us to get over the most difficult time. Everything seems to be better these days and we hope that good news will come to all of you also.