Introducing the Wayfinding Destination Education Series, See Monterey’s new training and education program, designed to connect and support the local hospitality industry. Just as wayfinding helps to guide people along a path, this series is designed to help guide our local industry members through trainings and workshops to update and educate on best practices and new […]

Richard Yarnold has enough stories to fill a book. In fact, he’s filled six. The 73-year-old Fishwife bartender is circulating his seventh personal guest book, expanding a collection of sketches, poems and heartfelt stories penned by his Pacific Grove customers. He started the tradition while working at Monterey’s Chart House, creating a simple record of […]

An event at the Monterey Conference Center on Wednesday lived up to its theme by providing two “magical moments” for one of the day’s award winners. Richard Yarnold of the Fishwife Restaurant in Pacific Grove, won the coveted “Papa Vince Award” in addition to the “Focus on Guest Experience Award” at the Monterey County Hospitality […]

A new Monterey Hospitality Association and California Restaurant Association partnership adds value-oriented benefits to better serve its members and local hospitality industry Monterey County Hospitality Association, the region’s advocacy trade-based organization for the local hospitality industry, announces a reciprocal partnership with the California Restaurant Association to bring value-oriented benefits to MCHA members. New extended benefits […]

– Building Business Back is thrilled to announce its collaboration with Platinum Tax, Payroll, & Bookkeeping for its second annual Business Basics Series. This collaborative endeavor aims to empower entrepreneurs and small business owners with essential knowledge and skills to navigate the intricacies of financial management and business operations. The series consists of four comprehensive […]

MCHA is proud to announce a new partnership with the California Restaurant Association, offering numerous benefits to local Monterey County MCHA member restaurants. As of September 1, 2023, Monterey County Hospitality Association has joined in a reciprocal partnership with the California Restaurant Association to bring value-oriented benefits to our members including discounts on everyday products […]

Monterey Peninsula College Fall Hospitality Courses are Open NOW! Visit www.mpc.edu/hospitality to see a list of all Fall semester hospitality courses or EMAIL ReadyToWork@mpc.edu — preview classes below.

Special pricing brought to you by MCHA — TPO's signature trainings are presented to supervisors, managers, executives and HR staff. Employee sessions are also available.

Hardworking hospitality professionals will enjoy a well-deserved celebration on June 14, when Employee Appreciation Day events return after a three-year pandemic pause. The Monterey County Hospitality Association (MCHA) hosts this annual gathering that features food, fun and friendly competitions for cooks, dishwashers, hotel housekeepers, retail clerks, and other guest-facing tourism professionals and their families. About […]

Restaurants Care is a nonprofit fund that provides direct relief grants to food and beverage workers in California. Grants cover basic needs like groceries and rent while people recover from illness, injury, natural disaster, death in the family, and more.  Restaurants Care provides up to $2,500 directly to F+B workers experiencing illness, injury, natural disaster, […]

Leading employers guide local Rancho Cielo, high school and college culinary students to explore careers in hospitality.  More than twenty leading hospitality employers welcomed Rancho Cielo and local area students on May 16 for Monterey County Hospitality Association’s (MCHA) Hospitality Career Fair at the Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa. The Career Fair marked the culmination […]

For more than two decades, Franco Vásquez has made career moves that might surprise his teenage self. He’d considered working in digital design, but a high school dishwashing job led to bussing and serving opportunities. Those roles sparked a management interest. Vásquez steadily climbed the ranks, diversifying with restaurant and housekeeping leadership positions before landing […]

More than 21,600 people work in Monterey County's hospitality industry, creating unforgettable experiences for the guests who make a $2.5 billion annual economic impact. And each year, the Monterey County Hospitality Association (MCHA) honors one outstanding industry member as its Hospitality Professional of the Year.  For four decades, the honor has recognized ongoing service and […]

Monterey County Hospitality Association (MCHA) will honor the Hospitality Professional of the Year on Friday, March 31st at their Annual Awards Gala at Portola Hotel & Spa. This year’s honoree, Chef Bert Cutino, CMC, Cofounder/C.O.O. of The Sardine Factory Restaurant will be recognized for his on-going service and commitment to the local hospitality industry.

Kris Markus launched Illusions of Grandeur, her Monterey Peninsula event design and custom rental business, 38 years ago. She’s employed several team members for 15 years or more, and one has been with the company for nearly three decades. In addition to a overseeing a full-time staff of 10, Markus engages a network of part-time […]

Congressman Jimmy Panetta, the U.S. House of Representatives member for California’s 20th district, landed his first hospitality job in the seventh grade. Panetta rode his BMX bike to work at the Velvet Fox, a former Carmel Valley restaurant where he bussed tables. “I was a busboy until I spilled tartar sauce on a lady's dress, […]

Susanna Hoffman’s journey to a tourism degree began at Noodle Bar, in her hometown of Marina. The restaurant job she started at age 16 sparked an interest in hospitality, and she gained additional industry experience as a Monterey Bay Aquarium volunteer. Then, a high school counselor told Hoffman about hospitality and event planning courses at […]