RHI Founder Mark Steele and his sister Samantha Steele, both Co-Owners of The Blooming Bistro, join Host Jaime Cruz on the WC Podcast. The powerhouse siblings talk about the mission behind The Blooming Bistro and how they’re helping to develop future generations of hospitality workers while uplifting the lives of youth at the same time.
Learn more about The Blooming Bistro.
At Restaurant Hospitality Institute (RHI), we believe hospitality is more than a job—it’s a pathway to confidence, purpose, and lasting opportunity. This holiday season, we’re proud to highlight our partnership with The Blooming Bistro, where training, community impact, and heart come together.
The Blooming Bistro is a Las Vegas restaurant and workforce training hub serving opportune and at-risk youth across Southern Nevada. Together, RHI and The Blooming Bistro provide real-world hospitality education that prepares students not just to work in restaurants—but to thrive in life.
The Blooming Bistro is offering Bites & Boards, available for order through December 19, with pickup or delivery by December 22. The $125 charcuterie board feeds 10–12 people and features premium cheeses, artisanal meats, seasonal fruits, gourmet crackers, and festive bites—perfect for gatherings, gifts, or office celebrations.
Each board is hand-crafted by students currently training at The Blooming Bistro as part of a specialized back-of-house program. Along with hands-on culinary and operational experience, every board includes a cheerful handwritten note of thanks—making each order both personal and impactful.
Net proceeds from Bites & Boards benefit St. Jude’s Ranch for Children, helping older foster youth and young adults who have aged out of care participate in The Blooming Bistro’s workforce development program.
Hospitality training is provided by Restaurant Hospitality Institute, led by renowned hospitality expert Mark Steele, brother of The Blooming Bistro founder Samantha Steele. Students receive front-of-house and back-of-house instruction, on-the-job coaching in a real restaurant setting, and support transitioning into employment. The next cohort begins training in mid-December, with on-the-job experience starting in January.
This collaboration is deeply personal for RHI. Co-Founders Mark and Cara Huey-Steele have been long-time supporters of St. Jude’s Ranch for Children, driven by a shared commitment to helping young people build stable, independent futures. Cara currently serves as Treasurer and Secretary on St. Jude’s Ranch for Children’s Board of Directors, further strengthening the connection between education, advocacy, and opportunity.
As a licensed postsecondary institution through the State of Nevada’s Commission of Postsecondary Education, RHI is proud to partner with organizations like The Blooming Bistro—where training today helps open doors for tomorrow.
Together, we’re not just teaching hospitality.
We’re creating pathways, strengthening community, and changing lives—one skill, one board, and one opportunity at a time.
Make a difference this holiday season and order your holiday board by calling 702-888-0592.
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.
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, 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!