Restaurant work is a passion-driven labor of love, where every meal served creates moments of joy and connection for guests. But behind the scenes, hospitality workers often face high stress and long hours. These challenges can lead to mental and physical health struggles. In fact, half of adults aged 18-34—a group that makes up 60% of the industry’s workforce—report experiencing mental illness, according to the American Psychological Association.
That’s where Southern Smoke Foundation steps in. As a champion of well-being in the restaurant industry, the nonprofit provides F&B workers access to vital counseling and support resources at no cost. Additionally, they offer emergency relief funding to restaurants when it’s needed most.
This summer, Southern Smoke Foundation has taken its mission on the road with a series of roundtable discussions in partnership with OpenTable. The free series kicked off in Napa last month, with additional stops throughout August and September. Featuring industry experts and mental health professionals, the events will dive into the state of the industry and local trends and offer practical strategies for creating a healthier workplace.
Learn more and grab a seat for the Houston event below, or stay tuned for more dates added soon.
