Rachel Diehl

RHI on Access City Council: Hope on the Menu at The Blooming Bistro

Mark Steele, Owner of RHI and Co-Owner of The Blooming Bistro, recently joined program participant Scarlett Turner and Councilman Brian Knudsen for an interview with David Riggleman on Access City Council.

In this engaging conversation, Mark shares the vision and mission behind The Blooming Bistro, while Scarlett offers a heartfelt message about the hope and opportunity the restaurant brings to its participants. And yes—you’ll finally learn the story behind the now-famous Councilman Knudsen Bowl (though we highly recommend tasting it in person).

We extend our gratitude to the City of Las Vegas for believing in this dream from the very beginning and amplifying our message to the community and beyond.

Learn more about The Blooming Bistro.

Elevating Hospitality at The Trail Hotel – Bardstown, Kentucky

When The Trail Hotel—an iconic property along the Kentucky Bourbon Trail—was restored and reopened, it wasn’t just about preserving history. It was about creating a world-class guest experience. Recently featured in Travel + Leisure, the hotel has quickly become the crown jewel of the “Bourbon Capital of the World.”

RHI played a key role in this success. Mark Steele led a three-week intensive training with 60 employees, focused on food & beverage service and operational excellence across the property’s diverse outlets: a three-meal restaurant with raw bar, bourbon and cigar lounge, speakeasy, tiki bar, private dining room, and outdoor event space.

To ensure consistency long after the doors opened, he also produced customized training videos, giving The Trail Hotel a scalable tool to onboard and develop future hires.

This project is a powerful example of how RHI helps hospitality leaders transform iconic properties into unforgettable destinations.

Want to transform your venue into a destination? Contact Mark to start the conversation.

Meet Carlos – An RHI Success Story

Meet Carlos, a shining example of growth at The Blooming Bistro—a restaurant offering second chances for people in recovery through careers in hospitality. Thanks to RHI’s hospitality training program, Carlos has flourished into a confident, engaging team member.

His journey is especially inspiring: his mother is an RHI alum, making him a proud second-generation graduate. When Mark first met Carlos, he wasn’t sure Carlos would even speak. Today, he connects with everyone he meets and has a bright future ahead.

Watch his story, featured by EmployNV, and join us in celebrating Carlos’ success—we can’t wait to see what’s next for him!

Are you looking to make a change to a culinary career or level up your skills? Check out our courses!

Celebrating Food Allergy Awareness Month with ACF Chefs Las Vegas

May is Food Allergy Awareness Month, and what better way to honor it than by sharing knowledge that keeps our industry safer and more inclusive? At Restaurant Hospitality Institute (RHI), we hit the ground running—bringing our passion for food safety straight to the community with free training on our newest certification: the Food Allergen Safety Techniques (FAST) card!

We were thrilled to partner with the American Culinary Federation (ACF) Chefs Las Vegas chapter for their May meeting, where we helped provide a top-notch continuing education experience for their members. Did you know RHI offers in-person training and exam proctoring for groups? Yep—we’re all about making learning accessible, flexible, and tailored to your needs.

Since ACF meetings are always packed with great content, the group opted for a hybrid learning experience. Members received a special access code to take the FAST course online—on their own schedule and at their own pace—before the big meeting. Then, our amazing co-founder and Chief Operations Officer, Cara Huey Steele, joined them in person to proctor the final exam and share the scoop on all the other professional development courses available at RHI.

People take the RHI FAST Card Test
ACF Chefs Las Vegas member takes a test
Cara-Steele from Restaurant Hospitality Institute Addresses Crowd

We had such a blast connecting with culinary professionals and empowering them with tools that keep kitchens safer for everyone.

Big congratulations to the newest FAST card holders! You’re not only taking allergen safety seriously—you’re adding a stellar credential to your resume. Way to go!

RHI on City Beat: Behind the Scenes at The Blooming Bistro

Fresh Food. Fresh Starts. City Beat Las Vegas recently went behind the scenes at The Blooming Bistro to uncover what makes this restaurant such a standout in the community.

At The Blooming Bistro, the menu isn’t the only thing that’s fresh—the mission is, too. This unique dining concept pairs exceptional food with life-changing opportunities, creating a space where young adults gain the skills, confidence, and hands-on experience they need to succeed in the hospitality industry.

Through our partnership with The Blooming Bistro, RHI is proud to provide structured hospitality training that opens doors to meaningful careers. From front-of-house service to back-of-house operations, participants aren’t just learning—they’re launching their futures in one of the most dynamic industries in the world.

With every plate served, The Blooming Bistro proves that restaurants can be more than dining destinations; they can be platforms for growth, empowerment, and lasting community impact.

Learn more about The Blooming Bistro.

Learn more about RHI’s Hospitality Training Programs.