What started as a single chic cafe in Joburg back in 2005 is now opening doors to the world for its South African staff — literally.
The Tashas Group, the stylish restaurant empire founded by Natasha Sideris, is doing more than just plating up beautiful food. It’s fast becoming one of South Africa’s most exciting gateways to global opportunities, sending employees to work in branches across London, Dubai and beyond — all while investing heavily in upskilling and personal growth, as first reported by BusinessTech.
With 39 locations spread across South Africa, the UAE, Saudi Arabia and the UK, the brand’s international footprint is rapidly expanding. But what truly sets it apart is its approach to human capital: staff aren’t just employees – they’re partners in the journey.
‘In the Middle East and London, where access to tech is far greater, we’ve built dynamic mobile training tools,’ says Sideris. ‘It’s interactive, hands-on, and keeps our teams constantly learning.’
But it’s not all apps and modules. The head office team flies out to meet new staff in person, providing deep brand immersion sessions, sharing stories from around the Tashas world, and igniting that spark of ambition that drives employees to grow beyond their initial roles.
According to Sideris, many of the group’s South African staff members have been identified by franchisees and managers as natural leaders. Loyalty and dedication, she says, are rewarded with opportunities to move abroad – a journey that’s as supported as it is ambitious.
More than half of Tashas’ Dubai-based workforce hails from South Africa, creating a tight-knit expat family that cushions new arrivals against the shock of relocation. From hotel accommodation on arrival to starter kits with SIM cards and essential supplies, the transition is carefully managed. Even guidance on where to shop or how to set up a new home is offered by fellow SA team members.
In colder climates like London, the Tashas team went as far as making sure new arrivals had warm scarves and jackets waiting – a small but thoughtful gesture that reflects the company’s deep care.
But perhaps the most impactful move has been in education. The group doesn’t just send staff abroad – it prepares them. Employees bound for the UK receive free after-hours English lessons to help them pass mandatory language exams for visa applications. And it doesn’t stop there.
Sideris is already in talks with schools to launch scholarship programmes for underprivileged students, with hopes of including both staff members and external candidates who can’t afford further education.
In kitchens across the Tashas network, many team members start their careers with no formal training – some without basic literacy. That’s changing fast. The group is working with hospitality schools to offer certification courses, and it’s funding short-term study programmes for head office staff aligned with their career paths.
For a company known for aesthetics, it’s the behind-the-scenes vision that’s truly beautiful. Tashas isn’t just serving gourmet meals – it’s serving up global opportunities and proving that homegrown talent can go global when nurtured right.
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Picture: Tashas / Facebook
