By Van Anh Nguyen | Partnership Relations Staff
This report provides a summary of progress and achievements of the 3 trainees from KOTO Class 45 (K45) for the first six months of their studies (November 2024 to April 2025).
Significant improvement and transformation has already been seen and recognized in those young spirits as they began to gain skills and knowledge and become more confident in their practice at the Training Center as well as the Training Restaurant.
1. KOTO Class 45 Theoretical and Practical Training Component
Since the commencement of their training in November 2024, the trainees from K45 have demonstrated remarkable dedication and enthusiasm in their studies and practical work at the restaurant.
a. Theoretical Training Component
K45 front-of-house (FOH) trainees received training in a range of subjects including serving food and beverages, taking orders from customers, setting up tables, understanding about menu, and making coffee. Overall, K45's initial performance makes a good impression for their willingness and activeness in learning. “The class has a serious attitude and attentiveness to study. Especially, even though they are still new and young, they have shown their activeness and keen-on-learning attitude; hence, lots of trainees in this class can absorb and apply well the knowledge they learn into practice. However, they still lack teamwork spirit and haven’t yet known how to communicate well as a team. The class needs to learn better how to support and pull up the spirit of those who are a bit behind”, shares Ms. Thuan, K45’s FOH teacher.
Meanwhile, K45 back-of-house (BOH) trainees learned the cookery techniques, mastering the preparation of dishes including entree, snacks and salads. “The class has a good attitude in learning and catches up very well with what the trainer delivered in the class. Yet, it is expected that the trainees should do further research beyond the given knowledge in the class and grasp the opportunity to practice more in order to increase their speed in preparing and cooking”, shares Mr. Hung, K45’s BOH teacher.
To round out their studies, both FOH and BOH trainees also received training in workplace safety, including hygienic practices, proper use of equipment, and adherence to safe work protocols. Additionally, trainees began to learn stock management techniques like FIFO (First In, First Out) to prevent spoilage and waste as well as green practices in reducing the usage of plastic. This emphasis on minimizing waste is reflected in skills assessments, ensuring that sustainability practices are ingrained in their culinary habits, both in the kitchen and beyond.
In the life skills classes which is an essential part of the holistic training program, trainees learned about adaptation, self-awareness, self-motivation, teamwork and communication skills and many other topics related to managing their well-being and planning for their future.
The life skills program is instrumental to the personal and professional development of KOTO trainees. Its benefits are intended to reach well beyond the classroom and future workplace, as its key intended outcome is to build strong & resilient individuals and communities that are capable of deciding and thriving for betterment in life. We were pleased to share the following statement from one of the K45 trainees: “I used to be very timid and shy when doing public speaking, but through life skill class, I have begun to learn how to be calm and confident when I need to present an idea in front of lots of people”. Ms. Linh, K45’s life skills teacher said she was impressed with the spirit of learning and the activeness of the K45’s members that have led them to be able to complete most of the given tasks excellently.
In addition to the vocational and life skills training, the trainees have also studied both General English and English for Hospitality. The curriculum focused on vocabulary related to food and beverage (F&B), menus, ingredients, customer communication during F&B service, recipes, and providing clear instructions.
The trainees have really shown their interest and have made strong improvements which can be seen through their practical training sessions at the restaurants. Within just 6 months of training, FOH trainees have been able to welcome guests in the restaurant and take orders.
Ms. Phuong, K45’s English teacher shares: “Despite their limited ability in specifically listening and understanding, the class is very enthusiastic in participating in activities and hardworking. Most of the class are eager to learn and active in class. The individual learning spirit is strong but we still need to pay attention to collective development and make an effort to support one another to be better as a team”.
Computer literacy is also incorporated into the comprehensive training program. So far, the trainees have developed essential skills, including email writing and basic proficiency in MS Word, PowerPoint, and Excel, equipping them with practical tools for their future careers.
"The trainees are responsible with their study and conscious of doing their homework. Team spirit is there, peer-to-peer support can be seen, and this needs to be maintained consistently”, says Mr. Vinh, K45’s Computer Skills teacher.
b. Practical Training Component
One of the most valuable parts of KOTO’s training program is the opportunity that the trainees have to put the skills they learn in the classroom to the test. Under the guidance of the KOTO restaurant staff, most of whom are KOTO graduates themselves, their skills and teamwork flourish as they have real life experience in an active, commercial restaurant that caters to international tourists and the expatriate community in Hanoi. Over the past 6 months, the FOH trainees have practiced guest greeting and seating, table service, while BOH trainees have worked in the hot and cold section and bakery, acquiring specialized expertise in these areas.
The trainees have been gaining practical work experience at KOTO training restaurant, where they not only refined their technical skills but also learned the importance of teamwork, customer service, and professionalism in a real-world setting.
“The fact that we can have KOTO training restaurant as a place to practice is beneficial. It offers me a great chance to further improve my skills through on-the-job training, and apply theoretical knowledge that I learned in class. The thing that I like the most about my major is I get to serve the customers who are mostly foreigners. This has given me plenty of opportunities to improve my English and communication, increase my confidence and help me to overcome the fear of speaking with strangers.”
2. Key Highlights and Events
Several significant events and milestones has marked the journey of KOTO Class 45 Trainees and focused both on their professional and personal development. These are the instrumental factors to the success of the program, offering our trainees great opportunities to learn beyond the class.
KOTO provides various opportunities for the trainees to develop their professional skills which not only enhance their expertise but also bring joy and memorable learning experience.
During their very first steps at KOTO, K45’s trainees go through an orientation period in order to get to know the environment, rules and regulations, and most importantly, the majors that they will choose from for their 24-months training program. This plays a crucial role in their decision making as most of the trainees haven’t been exposed to the idea of FOH and BOH, and they mostly chose cooking as the first registered major in their application without knowing that this is beyond a cooking course. The introductory period brought new perspectives and opened the mindset of the trainees to rethink and assess carefully under the mentorship of trainers, teachers, and their seniors to know which major is suitable for them and their future path.
Aside from participating in training from KOTO’s trainers, the trainees also got the chance to learn from external experts who work in the hospitality industry that can add-on valuable knowledge for the trainees and open up their horizons by observing new skills, knowing new recipes and methods to improve their performance.
A special class conducted by KOTO alumni in advanced western cuisine has leveraged the knowledge and skills of the trainees in this chapter. Specifically, the BOH trainees of K45 were trained on making sauce, which is considered as the key component to the success of a western dish. The class was filled with warmth and laughter as this meant more than just a training, but a pass-on of knowledge from a senior to a junior in one big family of KOTO.
In the same month, KOTO trainees were offered to join in a study tour with Monin which is an extremely successful & important player in the beverage industry in Vietnam. For K45 FOH trainees, participating in the Monin Open House was a knowledgeable experience and a new way of learning to expand their understanding of beverages through reading, listening and observing the performances of top experts in the bartending and coffee industry.
In addition to honing their skills outside the KOTO’s campus, at the end of March, the BOH trainees of K45 were granted an excellent playground to participate in Hanoi Salon Culinaire Competition 2025 within the framework of Food & Hospitality Hanoi Exhibition. Even though they are relatively young and lack professional experiences in their field, this is a great chance for them to explore and exchange learning from peers and from young chefs across Hanoi. K45 trainees have showcased their great skills and creative ideas through the dishes that they made.
In addition, KOTO organizes a range of meaningful activities to enhance trainees’ personal and interpersonal development. These activities play a crucial role in helping trainees build confidence, resilience, and foster meaningful relationships both within and beyond the classroom. By participating in such events, trainees gain the necessary skills to navigate diverse social environments, which are essential for their personal growth and future success in the workplace and the community.
First aid skill is one of the top-survival skills that are essential and basic in life that could help trainees save their life and people surrounding them. Especially when working in the hospitality industry, they need to deal with lots of potentially risky situations from the kitchen (burn, cut, fire, etc) to the front area of the restaurant (customer allergy, choke, etc). This workshop has given them basic knowledge and guidance on how to tackle those challenges with clear steps and hands-on actual practice.
K45 hosted a study tour session with international students from Melbourne Grammar School (MGS) and organized some bonding activities for students between both schools. They had the opportunity to introduce themselves in English and to interact with the students through singing and playing some sports games. Such opportunities are valuable as they get to know new peers, practice their English, and expand their connection.
Besides activities and events that boost trainees’ professional, personal and interpersonal development, KOTO also organizes a variety of recreation and celebration activities for its trainees that offer both joy and relaxation. These experiences are vital to promoting trainees’ overall well-being and fostering a strong sense of community, demonstrating the KOTO family’s “We Are One” spirit.
At the end of 2024, K45 along with staff and members of KOTO had a memorable traditional missionary trip together known as Winter Appeal with the aim of bringing warmth and joy to the people of ethnic minorities and rural areas of Xin Man and Huong Son in Ha Giang region. The essence of “Once helped, help others” as the guiding moral throughout the trip has inspired and brought up the sense of responsibility to the community of the trainees, who experienced similar difficult circumstances but now have the opportunity to overcome them and serve other people in-need. For the trainees of K45, as they just arrived in KOTO, this was their very first trip outside of the campus that brought memories, experiences and learnings to the newbees, strengthening their connection as a class by engaging in teamwork missions, as member of KOTO by contributing greats works and performances for the event, and as people in the community by serving 2,500 hot bowls of Pho, delivering 1,000 gift packages to in-need households. Notably, they have brought the knowledge that they have learned at school and support cooking class for 40 ethnic minorities women who run local homestays, carrying on the spirit of KOTO - “Know one, Teach one”. Furthermore, K45 contributed mainly to hand-washing awareness raising activity for children at primary school through the form of dancing which made it vibrant and more appealing for the kids.
After a long Lunar New Year Holiday, KOTO has organized an internal cultural Spring Festival for all trainees and staff members of KOTO. All classes joined in the fair and prepared a booth for each class selling specialities that they had brought back to campus from their region. K45 has impressed everyone with how well they prepared from the decoration to the products they choose to sell, which are very appealing and appetizing for people participating in the fair. They also took part in several fun traditional community games and activities which brought out lots of laughter and special bonding moments for all of the participants.
Part of a meaningful experience of studying in KOTO is that a work-life balance is always regarded and short-escape from tiring days of working and learning is equally important for the development of the trainees. It is even more valuable as it is hosted and organized by KOTO Founder - Jimmy Pham. This gave the trainees a better understanding of the concept of KOTO as a family, not just a school and the fact that every single member of KOTO truly considers them as family, as brothers and sisters. Through fun games and activities along with some enjoyable moments to have a meal around the table where sharings and thoughts are opened and heard.
3. Looking Ahead
The key goals for the next half year for K45 will be focused on completion of first year vocational basic training and prepare for their departure to do internship in a five-stars resort by the end of November. In order to give them a practical overview of hospitality industry and a vivid picture of what it is like to work in a high-class environment, KOTO will conduct 5-7 days Dream Trip for K45 in September in which trainees will have the opportunity to travel and learn from experience by position themselves as customer, exploring culture and cuisine, while attending a workshop conducted by a five-stars hospitality partner of KOTO. Most importantly, K45 will need to complete their exam in November. With the evaluation extracted from the result of the 6 months test, KOTO set out a clear plan of development for each trainee and area that needs improvement to enhance their knowledge, skills and readiness for the assessment as well as real-world practice.
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