Gerald Duhon is the Executive Director of the New Orleans Culinary & Hospitality Institute (NOCHI). We sit down with Gerald to talk about the Hospitality Investment Training (HIT) program which helps young adults in New Orleans access career pathways in the city’s most iconic industry. Gerald breaks down how the program addresses gaps in traditional hospitality training by focusing on functional skills, organizational values, and crucial soft skills like conflict resolution and financial literacy.

We also get into NOCHI’s innovative partnerships with Viking Cruises, Aramark, Sodexo Live, and Diageo, plus their upcoming subscription-based training model that makes professional development more accessible for local businesses. From workforce retention to redefining what hospitality really means, Gerald shares how NOCHI is investing in the people who make New Orleans a world-class destination.

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