Megan H.

Employer Brand Co-op

At Toast, we’re serving up more than just technology—we’re investing in the future of culinary education through our partnership with Culinary Careers Program (C•CAP), a U.S.-based nonprofit organization providing culinary training and career readiness skills primarily to underserved middle and high school students.

Toast is proud to be in the second-year of its two year partnership with C•CAP, working to empower the next generation of culinary talent. In addition to providing philanthropic support, Toast is piloting a program to provide donated Toast POS systems to select schools that partner with C•CAP in New York, Phoenix, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Chicago, and the D.C. area. 

We caught up with Toaster Xevious S. who played a key role in helping get John Dewey High School - a C•CAP school in Brooklyn, NY - set up with Toast equipment for their experiential restaurant learning lab, JD’s Place. Hear more about his role at Toast and involvement in C•CAP: 

What led you to Toast? And how did you get involved with C•CAP?

I joined Toast in October 2021 after several years in the industry, including time at a competitor from 2015 to 2020, which gave me a strong foundation. After exploring new opportunities, I was drawn to Toast’s mission and reached out about available roles. True to Toast’s culture, the team was welcoming and supportive throughout the process. Since joining, it’s been a rewarding experience, and I’m grateful to be part of such a dynamic company.

I got involved with C•CAP after looking for opportunities to contribute beyond my role. I connected with Sarah D., the Onboarding Director for Supplier & Accounting, who was helping lead the initiative. After speaking with her, I felt it was exactly what I was looking for—a meaningful way to apply my skills while gaining exposure to areas outside of my usual work as an Onboarding Consultant. It’s been such a rewarding experience so far, and ultimately, it just felt like the right next step in my Toast journey.

What does it mean to you to be able to help high schoolers get a jump start in their culinary careers?

Seeing young people explore and learn more about the culinary and hospitality industry is something that really resonates with me, especially since I’ve worked in it myself. I believe it's an incredibly valuable field that teaches practical, real-world skills—but often doesn’t get the recognition it deserves.

Helping students discover new paths to success can truly impact the course of their lives. Not every student dreams of becoming an accountant, some are creatives or passionate individuals with untapped potential. C•CAP creates a space where they can feel comfortable expressing that side of themselves.

Whether they’re learning management skills, teamwork, or even getting hands-on with meal preparation, these experiences can open doors to future careers as chefs, restaurant owners, or operators. Some of the most successful people I know today started out as bartenders, servers, or chefs, and have gone on to become leaders and entrepreneurs in the industry.

How do you think empowering high school students can create a ripple effect in their communities?

I truly believe that empowering people to follow their passions and develop their skills will always lead to positive outcomes. For students especially, there are so many paths and expectations placed on them, but not everyone fits neatly into those molds. Sometimes, students don’t feel like they fit in anywhere, which can lead to feelings of isolation or a lack of social acceptance.

That’s why helping young people find a space where they feel seen, confident, and comfortable is so important. It gives them the confidence to show up, participate, and engage with the world around them. Honestly, the same goes for adults—but for teenage students in particular, programs like this can really lift them up and give them a sense of pride and purpose.

I saw this firsthand during my time with John Dewey High School in Brooklyn at our first go-live for the program. The students were so engaged and proud of the work they were doing. They took real pride in the way they handled customers and in the food they prepared. It was one of those moments that confirmed for me just how powerful the partnership between Toast and C•CAP is.