Scarf

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Scarf

We’re a social enterprise which has been transforming young lives through hospitality since 2010.

Scarf is a not-for-profit social enterprise (and registered charity) which runs hospitality training, mentoring and paid work experience programs. For close to 15 years we’ve worked closely with the community sector and the hospitality industry to make employment more equitable for young people facing barriers to work. Scarf trainees are keen, resilient young people seeking protection, and those f

rom refugee and migrant backgrounds who have little to no work experience in Australia. Since 2010 we’ve partnered with over 100 awesome Melbourne restaurants to transform over 350 young lives. Scarf Dinners and events are a positive, supportive environment where participants thrive and gain real-world experience. Scarf graduates are part of a unique learning community and move on to jobs with new skills, knowledge, networks and tons of confidence.

04/09/2026

In the world's worst kept secret (because we're just too excited not to shout it from the rooftops), our next Scarf Dinners will run at Reed House.

Pinch us! 🧡

Reed House owners Rebecca and Mark (two of the biggest legends in the industry) have supported Scarf in so many ways over the past two years, from raising funds through crumpet sales, to donating epic prizes for gala auctions... Mark was even a guest chef at our 15th birthday party! 🥳 We're beyond excited to take things a step further and partner with them for seasonal dinners.

Tickets will include a two-course set menu with specially created dishes and classics from the talented Reed House kitchen team. Spring is always Scarf's busiest season, and as we're partnering with one of Melbourne's most talked-about restaurants, we have no doubt these events will book out quickly.

Scarf Dinners will be at Reed House on:
-Monday 9 November
-Monday 16 November
-Monday 23 November

They'll run as part of the Spring Scarf '26 program, with bookings opening in September. Register your interest if you want to be the first to receive the bookings link:
https://bit.ly/ScarfReedHouse

Photos Kate Shanasy and Linsey Rendell

03/09/2026

Last week, the legendary OpenTable Australia team welcomed us into their space for a very important seasonal program workshop!

Towards the end of any Scarf program, we put a lot of focus on preparing for interviews beyond the program. Interviews can be scary! So we create space to learn and practice interview skills, in a safe and supportive environment.

Huge thanks to the legendary folks who gave up their afternoon to help us run a round of ‘practice’ interviews with our ace Winter Scarf ‘26 trainees! Confidence grew in spades (and rumour has it, an interviewer even requested a CV because a trainee made such a strong impression 😉)

Thank you:
Zac from Lucy Liu
Fatima from Accor Workplace
Lucie and Natalie from Novotel & Ibis Melbourne Central
Valentina from Daje Pizza
Beth from Hellyers Road
Ellen from The Tourism Group
Ameen from Pullman & Mercure Melbourne Albert Park

Legends, the lot of you! 🧡🧣

Accor Group Accor Heartist Solidarity ALL Accor

01/09/2026

Do More Than Drink, the campaign which builds awareness and funds for Scarf through the power of delicious beverages, has begun!

Throughout September, over 25 of Melbourne’s most socially-conscious venues are turning drinks into opportunities 🍸🍻🍷🥃🍹

All funds raised will allow Scarf to continue transforming lives through hospitality, and help us create even more opportunities for young people facing barriers to work.

Find out more (including how & when our amazing campaign partners are donating to Scarf!)
www.domorethandrink.org

Campaign illustration: ‘Drinks & drinks’ by Marc Martin for Scarf
Campaign design: Madeleine Wiblin

28/08/2026

Scarf Graduates get jobs. Good jobs!

But our programs are about much more…

Please take a moment to make a cuppa and read our latest graduate Q&A with Hadia, who’s now working Dessous and Au79 café 🔗
https://www.scarfcommunity.org/hadia

Photos: Roger Ungers and Laura May Grogan

25/08/2026

Our next 10-week Seasonal Program is coming up! 📆

Spring Scarf ‘26 will run from late September through to early December, and we have 10 trainee positions available.

If you’re a young person (18–28 years old) from an asylum-seeker, refugee or migrant background, and keen to start your working life in Australia, then Scarf might be just the fit you’re looking for! Our seasonal programs include a combo of hands-on hospitality training and practical job-readiness workshops, all designed to help grow your skills, knowledge, networks and confidence 🍽️🍷☕️

Seasonal programs also include mentoring and paid work experience through Scarf Dinners, and with our amazing partner venues. So you’re not just learning about hospitality, you’re starting to *work* in the hospitality industry!

There’s heaps more information about our upcoming program, and eligibility, via the link below. We’re encouraging expressions of interest right now 📞
https://mailchi.mp/scarfcommunity/spring-scarf-26-trainee-opportunities

Photos: Linsey Rendell
A little trip down memory lane! These images are from the Autumn Scarf ‘19 seasonal program, which ran at 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐨𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐲 🧡

13/08/2026

CALLING ALL BARS*

*And pubs and breweries and other drinks-forward venues! 🍸🍻🍷🥃🍹

https://www.scarfcommunity.org/do-more-than-drink

This September, we’re turning drinks into opportunities...

‘Do More Than Drink’ is a fundraising and awareness-building campaign helping Scarf transform lives through hospitality. And it’s just around the corner!

So far, campaign partners include:
- Stomping Ground Brewery & Beer Hall - Collingwood
- Stomping Ground Brewing Co (Moorabbin)
- STARWARD
- The Pinnacle
- The Local Taphouse
- Neighbourhood Wine
- The Empress
- Dessous Melbourne
- Lilac Wine

Want to add your venue to this growing list?!

Shoot us a DM and we’ll share more info with you.

🎨 Marc Martin

12/08/2026

Legends being legends! Important PSA here from Winter Scarf ‘26 trainee Sonia and Lankan Tucker owner Nerissa.

Nerissa’s been running the pass for the last two Tuesday nights, making sure the dishes from the Lankan Tucker kitchen are hitting the tables super quickly! Sonia had it alllll under control at last night’s Scarf Dinner 💯

We’re already chockers next week (final Winter Scarf Dinner; Tuesday 18 August) but if you’re keen to join us, please share your details on the wait list and we will do our absolute best to fit you in!
https://www.scarfcommunity.org/Event/winter-26-pop-up-scarf-dinners-at-lankan-tucker

10/08/2026

May we open a bottle for you?! 🍷

As always, we’re serving some delicious drops from our wonderful wine partner Unico Zelo, during Winter Scarf Dinners at Lankan Tucker.
www.scarfcommunity.org/Event/winter-26-pop-up-scarf-dinners-at-lankan-tucker

On the list at the moment: ‘Fresh A.F’ Nero D’Avola & Zibibbo (Barmera, Riverland, South Australia), a super fresh and zippy red. This was a popular choice at last week’s Scarf Dinner!

We’ve also got plenty of other UZ faves on the current list, including ‘Jade and Jasper’ Fiano, ‘Esoterico’ 🍊, and ‘Troppo’ sparkling Chardonnay... a great choice if you’re celebrating! 🍾 🥂

It’s been 6 years since Unico Zelo began supporting Scarf and we’re so grateful that they keep us so well-stocked with cases upon cases of their incredible wine. Legends.

Photos: current trainee Naya during the Winter Scarf ‘26 wine training session at City Wine Shop. Snapped by Roger Ungers (www.rogerthatpictures.com.au).

06/08/2026

Want to support these legends to gain paid work experience?

It’s as easy as coming out for dinner!
www.scarfcommunity.org/Event/winter-26-pop-up-scarf-dinners-at-lankan-tucker

There are two more Winter Scarf Dinners Lankan Tucker left - Tuesday 11 and Tuesday 18 August. These events create awesome paid work experience opportunities for our current trainee cohort (Sonia, Ajouk, Naya, Robin, Mou, Freshta, Sarah Joy, Gopika and Shashi), who are a bunch of legends if we do say so ourselves! 🤩

If you haven’t been to a Scarf Dinner, professional chefs do the cooking while Scarf trainees run the front-of-house, with support from legendary Scarf mentors.

We had a stellar start to our Winter Scarf Dinners this Tuesday at Lankan Tucker, and everyone’s excited to do it all again next week.

Limited seats remaining, so book now (link above!) if you’re keen to join us 📆

Photos: Roger Ungers

Winter Scarf ‘26 trainees
Back row L to R: Naya, Robin, Mou, Freshta.
Front row L to R: Sarah Joy, Gopika, Shashi
(Not pictured: Sonia and Ajouk)

03/08/2026

Time to shake things up! 🍸

Scarf graduate Dis has put the finishing touches on the Winter Scarf Dinners cocktail list and we can’t wait too see it in action from tomorrow night!

All Lankan Tucker x Scarf Dinners are on the cusp of being fully booked, so grab your spot now if you want to join us for these special events!

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http://www.scarfcommunity.org/

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