May is Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month in the U.S. To shine a light on AANHPI heritage and accomplishments, Aramark and the company’s AMPLIFY employee resource group (ERG) coordinated a series of events to engage, inform, celebrate, and raise awareness about AANHPI culture and issues.
“I firmly believe that cultivating a diverse workforce creates a stronger organization,” said Bart Kaericher, President and CEO, Aramark Healthcare+ and AMPLIFY executive sponsor. “As an ERG leader, I have the privilege of collaborating with AMPLIFY colleagues from distinct cultural backgrounds—and learning how AANHPI traditions, family experiences, and the achievements of others have shaped their Aramark careers.”
AANHPI Heritage Event Highlights
For professional development, awareness, educational, and networking opportunities, AMPLIFY members powered a series of companywide events designed to educate, engage, and shine a spotlight on AANHPI culture for employees, clients, and customers.
Chef Spotlight Series
Aramark continues its popular Chef Spotlight Series, highlighting several chefs of AANHPI heritage and their dishes to customers and clients throughout Aramark lines of business.
Virtual Cooking Demo
Aramark Chef Rakesh Francis Master demonstrates how to prepare a delicious South Asian dish, Pork Vindaloo, paired with a Mango Rum Lassi.
Cultural Panel Discussion
This virtual event, called “Embracing and Navigating Cultural Identities in the Workplace,” delves into the intersection of personal and professional lives in which Asian-Americans navigate their cultural heritage in the workplace. The panel features AMPLIFY members.
Spicy Time: Chef Chat
AMPLIFY Canada hosts a special edition of the ERG’s Spicy Time series with a discussion from an Executive Chef who has nearly four decades in foodservice experience from top kitchens across Canada.
Art History Lesson
AMPLIFY leader Brandon Mathias, an art history major, presents a class on the life and work of artist Martin Wong, a trailblazing Chinese-American and queer painter. This virtual discussion closes out AANHPI Heritage Month and kicks off LGBTQ+ Pride Month in June.
New Partnership
Aramark recently became a supporter of Ascend, the largest global network advancing Pan-Asian professionals in the workplace. Through this corporate partnership, Aramark employees now have access to career and cross-industry leadership programs and networks that foster community and engagement.
