Our mission is to invest in the skills of food service and hospitality workers.

Our Story

As of January 1, 2021, the Food & Beverage Workers Union Local 23 & Employers Benefits Fund merged into the STEP Fund to provide continuing training and education benefits to eligible and qualified individuals. The STEP Fund is a joint labor/management program, and it is funded through contributions negotiated between UNITE-HERE Local 23 (and other locals/unions) and contributing employers, such as Sodexo, Aramark, CompassGroup, and I.L. Creations, in collective bargaining agreements.

The purpose of the STEP Fund’s training and education program is to train individuals (present and prospective employees) in work, professional skills, and safety. The STEP Fund also seek to retrain individuals to improve their present skills and/or develop new skills. The goal of the Fund is to support an adequate and competent supply of skilled workers to the Fund’s contributing employers and to individual employers so that the employees can provide sound, safe, and efficient services to the public. The STEP Fund’s training and education program offers a wide range of free courses and seminars that help eligible individuals gain the expertise needed to move up culinary job ladders and excel in customer service.

Jobs With Dignity

We believe that all hospitality and food service workers are skilled. From dishwasher to lead cook, they deserve recognition for the hard work that they do and rewards for pursuing further education.

The STEP Fund’s contributing employers provide honest wages, good benefits, and invest in their workers’ skill development.

Community Partnerships

STEP accepts referrals into its Job Seekers programs from local refugee support groups, English language schools, work readiness programs, and vocational counselors.

We work side by side with these organizations to ensure our students’ continued success.

Industry Excellence

The Washington, DC area has one of the most exciting culinary scenes in the country.

The STEP Fund is proud to contribute to this local culture through high standards, industry partnerships, and wonderful students.

Classes Include:

Culinary courses for union members
Job seeker classes for under-employed community members seeking union jobs in the food service industry
English classes
Computer classes
Leadership and customer service workshops
And many more!

Through training and education, the STEP Fund also builds pathways into unionized food service jobs for students, so that workers can support themselves and their families with dignity.

The STEP Fund also offers unique scholarship and tuition assistance for individuals who qualify. The purpose of these programs is to make undergraduate and trade school education more accessible to employees and their dependents.

Click here to download a copy of the STEP Fund’s Plan Document. The Plan Document contains the official rules for the Plan, along with any Summary of Material Modification Amendment that may be issued in the future. If there is any inconsistency between this site and the Plan Document, the Plan Document controls. If you have any questions about the Plan, please contact [email protected] or text or call 301-876-4419.

The Board of Trustees

The STEP Fund is sponsored by a joint Board of Trustees which includes Union and Employer Trustees that have equal voting power.

Charles Hendricks

UNITE HERE

Scott Hochfelder

Compass Group USA

Oliver Zeidler

Aramark

Harold Taegel

Sodexo

Margaret Sharp

UNITE HERE

Marlene Patrick-Cooper

UNITE HERE

The Leadership Team

The STEP Fund’s leadership team has over 50 years combined experience in Education, Hospitality, and the Culinary Arts. Each person brings a unique perspective to the STEP Fund, but together they are committed to the mission and growth of the fund and to the continued success of each of our students.