Behind The Counter: Shawn Townsend of RAMW

TheListAreYouOnIt.com is thrilled to have good friend & new RAMW President & CEO, Shawn Townsend contribute to this week’s Behind The Counter. No stranger to the restaurant world, Shawn grew up in the industry in his father’s restaurant. As he built his career, he spent more than a decade in the District of Columbia government, eventually appointed by Mayor Muriel Bowser as the inaugural Director of the Mayor’s Office of Nightlife and Culture. In that role, he advised the administration on the issues affecting much of the city’s hospitality industry, serving as a conduit to the business community while identifying engagement opportunities. He was integral in developing the District’s strategic hospitality engagement plan both before and during the COVID-19 pandemic and brings to his role at RAMW a wealth of knowledge and contemporary expertise. Shawn has incredible insights and brings best practices, and relationships to RAMW. One of Shawn’s biggest initiatives is the launch of FoodJobsDC.com. As we all know, the hospitality industry has struggled with staffing. Front of the house and back. RAMW & Shawn Townsend believe that FoodJobsDC can help: 

Paving the Way to Flourishing Culinary Careers in the DMV

It is with great enthusiasm that I introduce to you this exciting new venture that will undoubtedly elevate the DMV hospitality industry - FoodJobsDC.com. This innovative platform is more than just a job site; it is a focused investment, designed to bring together job seekers and local hospitality employers in a way that has never been done before.

FoodJobsDC.com represents a significant milestone for the DMV region, as it stands as the first-ever hospitality-only job site. We, the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington, have teamed up with Events DC and The J.Willard and Alice S. Marriott Foundation, acknowledging the pressing staffing challenges faced by our industry. Our collective vision gave rise to this employment-generating web portal, tailor-made exclusively for the DMV hospitality sector.

The concept behind FoodJobsDC.com is simple: to create a centralized platform that caters specifically to the unique needs of our vibrant hospitality community. We recognize that both job seekers and employers encounter specific challenges when seeking suitable opportunities or candidates, respectively. This inspired us to design FoodJobsDC.com as a solution that streamlines the process of connecting talent with opportunity.

We want to empower employers, and FoodJobsDC.com offers an unprecedented level of convenience and precision in the hiring process. Through this platform, you can effortlessly upload your available positions, connect with potential candidates, and extend offers of employment. We understand that finding the perfect addition to your team can be time-consuming and challenging, but with FoodJobsDC.com's cutting-edge matchmaking algorithms, you can rest assured that the candidates you encounter will be the best fit for your establishment.

Whether you're a bustling restaurant seeking skilled chefs, a trendy bar in need of experienced bartenders, or a top-notch distributor looking for a sales guru, FoodJobsDC.com is the gateway to a talent pool teeming with passion, expertise, and dedication.

AND, for you job seekers, FoodJobsDC.com is your passport to a world of exciting opportunities within the DMV hospitality industry. As the premier hospitality job site in the region, we offer a curated selection of positions that span the spectrum of our thriving culinary landscape. From entry-level positions to management roles, FoodJobsDC.com has it all.

Gone are the days of sifting through generic job boards unrelated to your specific field of interest. With FoodJobsDC.com, you can upload your resume, browse a thoughtfully curated selection of jobs, and apply directly online with ease. We understand that your culinary journey is unique, and that's why we've designed the platform to cater specifically to the hospitality sector, helping you find the perfect match for your skills, passion, and aspirations.

Moreover, we take immense pride in bridging the gap between our industry and the remarkable community-based training programs present in our region. FoodJobsDC.com serves as the bridge that connects talented graduates from these training programs with employers who are eager to welcome fresh talent into their establishments.

Need A little help navigating the platform? Allow me to walk you through the process of making the most of FoodJobsDC.com:

For Employers:

Step One: Simply click the link provided and select "Looking to hire.

Step Two: You'll see a conspicuous blue button on the top right of the screen saying "Post a Job" - click on it

Step Three: Create an account and proceed to fill out the "Job Post" form with all the essential details about the position

Step Four: Click "Post Job," and voilà! Your post will appear immediately for potential candidates to see.

For Job Seekers:

Step One: Start by searching for jobs that align with your interests, passion, and expertise.

Step Two: Don't forget to upload your resume and create an impressive profile that showcases your skills and experience.

Step Three: Manage your job search with ease and connect with potential employers right within the platform.

Step Four: Delve into a curated selection of job openings, ranging from local bars to restaurants and distributors, and more.

Step Five: Prepare yourself for exciting opportunities that will be delivered straight to your email, helping you choose the right fit for your culinary aspirations.

So easy! As you can see, FoodJobsDC.com is a powerful tool that brings together the DMV hospitality community, fostering a stronger, more vibrant industry. We, at RAMW, are immensely proud to unveil this platform, and we invite you all to embark on this journey with us. Together, we will forge new connections, amplify opportunities, and usher in a brighter future for the entire DMV hospitality industry. With FoodJobsDC.com, we are building bridges that connect talent with opportunity, empowering our members to thrive and succeed in an ever-changing world.

Here's to the growth, success, and unwavering passion that define our remarkable community.