Hotto Restaurant has officially announced a partnership with the British Butler Institute, a renowned leader in Butler and hospitality training, aimed at enhancing the skills and professionalism within Ethiopia’s hospitality industry. This collaboration seeks to address the shortage of skilled manpower in the sector, which has been a significant barrier to growth.
During the announcement, Daniel Birhanu, Executive Chef and Partner at Hotto Restaurant, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, “Today we are here to launch an exciting collaboration with one of the best institutes in the UK.” He emphasized that after 26 years in the industry, he recognized a gap in skills upon returning to Ethiopia to establish a high-standard restaurant.
Since opening 18 months ago, Hotto Restaurant has served over 60,000 guests and created employment for 94 individuals. The restaurant is committed to working with both local and international institutions to tackle challenges faced by the hospitality sector through comprehensive human resource training.
Sean Williams, lead trainer at the British Butler Institute, highlighted the significance of this collaboration, noting that it marks a pioneering effort in Africa. “We are privileged to partner with Hotto Restaurant as our first enterprise in the continent,” he said. Williams believes that this partnership will benefit not only Ethiopia but also neighboring countries like Kenya and Rwanda.
Chef Daniel urged other hotels and restaurants in Addis Ababa to invest in their staff, particularly with many new hotels under construction. “Opening a hotel is good, but providing an exceptional experience is essential,” he stressed.
This partnership between Hotto Restaurant and the British Butler Institute represents a significant step toward elevating Ethiopia’s hospitality industry standards and ensuring that it meets international benchmarks for service excellence.
