The Training High Five is your chance to celebrate and showcase the best in hospitality training! This recognition program highlights particularly effective training solutions developed and implemented by CHART members. These strategies have improved training, accelerated learning, and boosted employee performance. Now, it’s your turn to explore, adapt, and ignite your own success. Get inspired, borrow brilliance, and build something even better! #CHARTtrainers
T RA I N I NG HIGH 5
2025
An Association of Hospitality Trainers
Training High Five
The Training High Five is your chance to celebrate and showcase the best in hospitality training! This recognition program highlights particularly effective training solutions developed and implemented by CHART members. Winning solutions take center stage at the winter CHART conference and earn a spot in our annual compilation—a go-to resource for fresh, proven ideas. These strategies have improved training, accelerated learning, and boosted employee performance. Now, it’s your turn to explore, adapt, and ignite your own success. Get inspired, borrow brilliance, and build something even better! Share Your Success Got a training solution that made a real impact? Pay it forward! By sharing your success, you’ll be living CHART’s guiding principles of Learning, Sharing, Growing, and Caring and helping fellow trainers elevate their game. Whether it’s a quick, effective training game or a full-scale rollout strategy, if it moved the needle at your company (and isn’t proprietary), we want to hear about it! Submit your idea to CHART and be part of a community that thrives on innovation and collaboration. How to Submit Your Ideas Nominations are due by December 15th. Visit the CHART website (Membership & Community > Awards & Scholarships) for more details and the quick and easy online nomination form. The CHART Board will review ideas for originality, impact, and relevance. The top ideas submitted each year will be highlighted at the winter conference and then posted on the CHART website for members to see and use. The High Five winners will be contacted in late December, and you can look forward to seeing your ideas in another year-end compilation.
2025 WINNERS
Ask “The Delicious One” (TDO): AI-Powered Operations Support Submitted by: Matthew Steele, CHT, Manager of Training & Development, Galardi Group, Wienerschnitzel AI Doppelganger: Bringing Training to Life Submitted by: Jack Woznick, Director of Training & Development, Toro Toro Toro, BelAir Cantina From Strategy to Reality: The Scope of Work Method Submitted by: Angelina Sabatini, Manager of Training, Venue Nation- Live Nation Entertainment What’s in a Whataburger? The Secret Ingredient is YOU Submitted by: Nicole Jackson, Regional Training Manager, Whataburger Blowing Their Minds: Making Training Fun (and Funny) Again Submitted by: Dylan Bitticks, Director of Training, Dave’s Hot Chicken
Winner HIGH
2025 CHART Training
Ask “The Delicious One” (TDO): AI-Powered Operations Support Matthew Steele, CHT, Manager of Training & Development, Galardi Group, Wienerschnitzel
Objective
Restaurant staff often need quick, accurate answers about procedures, but traditional operations manuals are dense, technical, and not easily accessible in a busy kitchen. The goal was to provide instant, hands-free access to critical information—anytime, anywhere.
How it Works
Wienerschnitzel developed Ask TDO, an AI-powered chatbot trained on the company’s operations manual. Hosted on the franchisee information portal, it allows team members to ask any question in plain language—without sifting through pages of text.
Matthew Steele CHART 107 Louisville
Recognizing that kitchen staff can’t always pull out their phones mid-shift, the team took it a step further: integrating Ask TDO with Alexa-type functionality. Now, employees can verbally ask for information—like fryer temperatures or food prep procedures—without stopping their workflow. This hands-free solution ensures they get the right information exactly when they need it.
Both the chatbot and an integrated Alexa system are bilingual, providing Spanish speakers with an easy way to navigate and understand the English operations manual. This streamlined approach ensures accessibility and clarity for diverse teams.
Results
The chatbot has transformed the way information is accessed in Wienerschnitzel restaurants. Employees get immediate, clear, and accurate answers without disrupting their tasks, improving efficiency and reducing training gaps. The Alexa integration has further enhanced usability, allowing real-time, voice-activated support in fast-paced environments. By leveraging AI, Wienerschnitzel is
not only making operations manuals more user-friendly but also setting the stage for the future of in-restaurant training.
Winner HIGH
2025 CHART Training
AI Doppelganger: Bringing Training to Life Jack Woznick, Director of Training & Development, Toro Toro Toro, BelAir Cantina
Objective
Creating engaging training content can be challenging—especially when the most recognizable figure in your organization prefers to stay behind the scenes. At BelAir Cantina, Chef Noe Zamora is the face of the brand and the mastermind behind its menus, but he doesn’t prefer being filmed or recorded. The
Jack Woznick CHART 107 Louisville
challenge? How to feature his expertise in training materials without requiring him to step in front of a camera.
How it Works
Enter the AI doppelganger! Using ElevenLabs for AI-generated voice cloning and Studio DID for AI-driven avatars, BelAir created a virtual version of Chef Noe. By having the chef read a short script, Jack trained the AI to replicate his voice, allowing him to generate new audio clips on demand. The AI-powered avatar—modeled as a bitmoji to keep things lighthearted—delivers menu descriptions, cooking techniques, and operational training in Chef Noe’s exact voice and style. This solution enables quick updates to training materials, eliminates scheduling conflicts, and ensures that the restaurant’s most influential voice is always present—without requiring Chef Noe’s direct involvement.
Results
With an investment of about $25 a month and a simple workflow, the AI doppelganger has revolutionized training content at BelAir Cantina. Training videos can now be created in minutes, keeping up with frequent menu changes while maintaining consistency in communication. This technology not only saves time but also makes training more engaging, dynamic, and scalable—proving that AI can be a game-changer in restaurant learning and development.
Winner HIGH
2025 CHART Training
From Strategy to Reality: The Scope of Work Method Angelina Sabatini, Manager of Training, Venue Nation - Live Nation Entertainment
Objective
Big ideas often spark excitement, but turning strategy into action is where many teams get stuck. Without clear ownership, defined deliverables, or structured accountability, projects can stall, leaving great initiatives unfinished. The Scope of Work (SOW) Method provides a framework to bridge the gap between vision and execution, ensuring teams move from brainstorming to real-world impact.
How it Works
Drawing inspiration from live entertainment production, the SOW Method at Venue Nation structures project execution like a concert:
Angelina Sabatini CHART 107 Louisville
The Artist (Vision) – The big idea, whether it's a fresh initiative, a new training program, or an operational shift. Production Crew (Stakeholders) – The departments and individuals responsible for bringing the idea to life. Setlist (Timeline) – Key milestones and checkpoints to ensure alignment and accountability. Audience (End Users) – The employees, guests, or leadership team who will benefit from the project. The Stage (Project Manager) – Whoever is responsible for keeping everything on track. Encore (Post-Project Review) – A structured debrief to assess what worked, what didn’t, and how to improve for the next initiative. The training team uses a structured SOW template to define objectives, responsibilities, deliverables, success metrics, and resources. This process is supported by digital tracking tools like Asana and Trello, as well as interactive workshops where teams build their own SOWs.
Results
By implementing the SOW Method, Venue Nation training has seen significant improvements in project execution. The team reduced project timelines by 20% simply by clarifying deliverables and aligning stakeholders upfront. The method has also created a cultural shift—the team now approachs strategy execution proactively, reducing confusion and delays. With a clear roadmap, initiatives don’t just stay on paper—they become a reality, driving success across the organization.
2025 CHART Training Winner HIGH What’s in a Whataburger? The Secret Ingredient is YOU Nicole Jackson, Regional Training Manager, Whataburger (Presented Entirely in Song at CHART 107 Louisville!)
Objective
Training is more than just delivering information—it’s about making learning stick. But what truly makes a training session unforgettable? The secret ingredient: YOU! This high-energy, music-filled idea proves that authenticity, passion, and engagement are what transform a standard lesson into a memorable experience.
Nicole Jackson CHART 107 Louisville
How it Works
Through an interactive musical performance, Nicole Jackson taught the audience how to build a Whataburger—not just with mustard, lettuce, tomatoes, and pickles, but with the special “ah” that only an engaging trainer can bring. The song and movement-based approach demonstrated three key principles for impactful training: Own the Material – Even if you didn’t create it, make it yours. Bring the Energy – Enthusiasm is contagious,
1. 2. 3.
and passion keeps learners engaged. Make it Interactive – Use storytelling, questions, and creative delivery to captivate your audience. By physically engaging the audience—having them stand, clap, and sing along—this session embodied its own lesson: training isn’t just about what’s taught, but how it’s delivered.
Results
This unforgettable session proved that the best training programs don’t just follow a script—they bring flavor. Trainers walked away inspired to embrace their own style, energize their sessions, and create experiences that don’t just inform, but truly resonate. After all, anyone can follow a recipe, but it’s the trainer who brings the “ah” that makes learning delicious.
Winner HIGH
2025 CHART Training
Blowing Their Minds: Making Training Fun (and Funny) Again Dylan Bitticks, Director of Training, Dave’s Hot Chicken
Objective
Training in the restaurant is essential, but let’s be honest—traditional training materials can be boring. With Dave’s Hot Chicken growing at lightning speed, the challenge was clear: how do you engage a young, digital-native workforce and ensure training is consistent across 275+ locations? The answer? Transform training into an experience that’s as entertaining as it is educational.
How it Works
Enter YouTube-style, high-energy training videos. Partnering with acclaimed director Ben Hess (whose work includes projects with ESPN, Adidas, and Keke Palmer), Dave’s Hot Chicken developed a series of cinematic, humor-driven videos to replace outdated training PDFs. The 15-video series features: Hilarious Cameos – Founders, trainers, and actors play roles like a
Dylan Bitticks CHART 107 Louisville
Results The response? A total game-changer. Franchisees and team members love the videos, reporting increased engagement, reduced training time, and stronger cultural alignment. By ditching dull PDFs for cinematic storytelling, Dave’s Hot Chicken has set a new standard for restaurant training—one where learning is fun, retention is high, and team members actually look forward to training. members watch these dynamic 10-12 minute videos on in-store iPads, making training more accessible, trackable, and scalable. drill sergeant, a French chef, and a by-the-book health inspector. Over-the-Top Cinematics – Fast cuts, engaging narration, and eye-catching visuals keep learners hooked. A True Brand Fit – The videos capture Dave’s signature “blow their minds” energy, making training feel like part of the culture, not just a requirement. Hosted on PlayerLync, an intuitive LMS, team
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6Made with FlippingBook - Online Brochure Maker