Redefining Hospitality Standards
RHI is a family-owned and operated education institute dedicated to elevating hospitality and service experiences for all through education and empowerment. We are based in the hospitality capital of the world, Las Vegas, and are licensed to operate by the State of Nevada’s Commission of Postsecondary Education. Our Alcohol Awareness Course meets all state requirements for distance education.
Our Services
Restaurant Coaching
Employee & Manager Training
Career Development Training
Alcohol Awareness Cards
Libation Education
Group Events
RHI 101
Restaurant Hospitality Institute (RHI) is an academy dedicated to redefining hospitality standards through our mission to elevate hospitality and service experiences for all through education and empowerment. We challenge the current antiquated perceptions of front-of-house staff, inclusive of roles within the brand, importance to business vitality, and value of knowledge by providing students with the technical and customer service skills necessary to be a successful asset to restaurants at all levels.
Las Vegas born and based, RHI was the first institute to be approved by the State of Nevada’s Commission on Postsecondary Education to teach our original effective curriculums. Additionally, RHI is an Eligible Training Provider for Southern Nevada Workforce Connections’ funded partners. These agencies may provide funding for education and training if you qualify through their programs. Our team regularly works with non-profit organizations and rehabilitation centers to train individuals with a disadvantage for a new career in hospitality. We can help your organization navigate the system to obtain funding.
Hospitality Trailblazers
RHI was established in 2014 by husband and wife duo Mark Steele and Cara Huey Steele. They combine their decades of experience in the hospitality industry, business analytics and operations to create innovative programs targeted for everyone from the average guest to servers and top level management. The full team includes top-notch educators to help teach our effective curriculums that raise the standards and exceed guest expectations for venues at all levels.
Founder & Chief Education Officer
Mark Steele
Mark Steele is a Las Vegas native and fourth generation restaurateur who was born and raised in the restaurant business. He started working at an early age at the Steele’s family restaurants including The Aristocrat, and always had a hand in helping with the family business.
His professional career took off 1998 while working alongside the Wynn’s and Maccioni’s to open Circo in Bellagio. Since then, he has worked with more than 100 restaurants across the globe in both internal management and external coaching capacities. He is a mentor in the industry who leads by example to foster a sincere work ethic and five star guest service amongst everyone he meets. For Mark, exceptional service in hospitality is his life’s passion. Through his work at Restaurant Hospitality Institute, he strives to redefine hospitality standards and continually elevate the food service industry, by empowering and educating those who work in it.
Throughout his career he has trained and coached thousands of restaurant professionals in the capital of hospitality, Las Vegas, across the country, and overseas, picking up quite a few certifications and awards throughout the years.
Co-Founder & Chief Operations Officer
Cara Huey Steele
Cara Huey Steele is a successful business analyst in her own right. She boasts a robust 20+ year history serving in several analytical positions for Caesars Entertainment in many gaming markets around the country including her current role as VP of Compensation and HR Analytics. Just like casinos and the hospitality industry work hand in hand to maximize the customer experience while growing revenue, Cara and Mark work together to bring world-class hospitality training to students around the world.
As Chief Operations Officer of Restaurant Hospitality Institute (RHI), Cara utilizes her experience to leverage analytics and increase operational performance at RHI. She helps develop the operational systems within the company, utilizing technology to streamline the education process, and assists with developing all teaching and training materials.
Cara earned her BBA of Economics and Finance from Loyola University and MBA, Quantitative Marketing and Competitive Strategy from The University of Chicago Booth School of Business. When not working at RHI or Caesars Entertainment, Cara also lends her skills to the local nonprofit community by serving on the Board of Directors at St. Jude’s Ranch for Children.