If the culinary and hospitality students at the Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School were to be given the opportunity, they would be among the most excellent chefs, bartenders and tourism promoters now serving at our various posh hotels and restaurants – and even at the level of the Ministry and the Anguilla Tourist Board.
The well-groomed students, led by their buoyant Hospitality Instructor at the school, Ms. Latoya Matthew, demonstrated their exceptional culinary skills at the luxury villa, Alegria, at Cul-de-Sac, overlooking the Blowing Point harbour and the seascape adjoining Anguilla and St. Martin. The villa is owned by Mr. Niel and Mrs. Wendy Freeman, developers on the island.
The event, called “A Hospitality Mixer”, held on Saturday evening, July 7, attracted a large number of guests who were served a variety of delicacies and cocktails by the students. They included Chief Minister and Minister of Tourism, Mr. Victor Banks; Parliamentary Secretary, Mr. Cardigan Connor; Permanent Secretary, Education, Mrs. Chanelle Petty Barrett; Principal-designate of the Comprehensive School, Mrs. Rita Celestine-Carty; former Chief Minister, Mr. Hubert Hughes; and various persons from the tourism sector and the general public. It was a delightful evening, further enhanced with musical entertainment by Omalie 360.
Mrs. Petty Barrett, one of those who enjoyed the event, told The Anguillian newspaper: “I am enjoying it very much. I want to congratulate the Hospitality Division at the Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School, in particular Ms. Latoya Matthew, the Teacher, on an excellent event. I think the students are doing quite well. I thoroughly enjoyed the service that they provided from the time you walked in. The welcome was exceptional and the students, in terms of their service were excellent, and the hors d’oeuves they served were of a very high quality.
“I think we are really on the right track where they are concerned, and I want to encourage them to continue to do their very best. It really bodes well for the future of the hospitality industry, because some of these students will end up there, and we can see that good training is being provided for them – as well as exposure to ensure that they can excel. I just want to congratulate them.”
Mr. Connor, the Parliamentary Secretary, Tourism, Youth and Culture, commented: “I think these students are contributing to our tourism industry in a big way. Our main industry is tourism and a number of our people have felt that, for quite some time, we haven’t been able to elevate to the very top. It is great to see, from an educational standpoint, that the Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School understands that the way, in order for our people to grow, is through education. I have been overly impressed by the greeting, the service and the food. Everything has been absolutely superb. The fact that we have young people who want to get into the industry says a lot about where we want to take them. We have to give them the platform and they have the desire. When you put both together, we cannot expect anything else but the best.”
The students’ Instructor, Ms. Matthew, told The Anguillian newspaper: “It was the Year 5 Hospitality Mixer third annual production event hosted by the hospitality and culinary students. It really was to showcase the students’ skills and abilities – an experience that will certainly equip them for the work industry and provide that positive exposure they so need, and to build and improve their confidence.
“It is so often remarked that secondary school leavers lack the basic fundamentals and necessary experience for entering the work industry. Over the past years the students, and I, have staged two culinary exhibits – 4-course tasting menu in April 2016, and a Caribbean buffet special in March 2017. Annual events, such as these, cannot only prepare and train our students, but can encourage our industry professionals and others to consistently provide world class service. If our students can put their best forward, like now, there is no excuse that we cannot provide that service.”
Ms. Matthew said that, in preparation for the event, the students underwent two weeks of intense service training by Mr. Jerdell Lake, Property Manager of Villa Belle Nori at Shoal Bay. “Mr. Lake was very instrumental in the success of the first food production event in preparing the students for the 4-course menu, and certainly has a way with the students, so I felt the need to bring him back again for this third annual event,” she acknowledged. “He has had fourteen years of industry training and experience.”
The students also had a session in food handling conducted by the Department of Health Protection.
Ms. Matthew continued: “It has indeed been an exciting and rewarding journey to this third event, and that would not have been possible without the kind support extended to us by Mr. and Mrs. Freeman, owners of Villa Alegria, and their wonderful management team: the Property Manager, Mrs. Michelle Owen-Vasilis, and Angelina Frank, the Villa Attendant. I really appreciate the support given by them.”
The Hospitality Instructor said that formerly the events were held at the school, but this year the food production event was taken to Villa Alegria to provide a luxurious and more fitting environment for the high profile school function.
She was also grateful to Chief Minister Banks, Mr. Cardigan Connor, Mrs. Petty Barrett, Mrs. Rita Celestine-Carty, Principal-designate of the Comprehensive School, former Chief Minister, Mr. Hubert Hughes, and Mr. Sutcliffe Hodge, for their support; Mr. Neil and Wendy Freeman owners of Villa Alegria and Mrs. Michelle Owen-Vasilis, Property Manager and Angelina Frank-Villa attendant for providing such an amazing property to host our event;
Black orchid florist for the use of the cocktail tables, linens and other items;Natalie at Grand Vins de France for her wine contribution;Honourable Curtis Love Richardson, Mrs. Janine Edwards, Sunset Homes and Ira Bloom of Ani Villas for their monetary donations; Melinda Goddard- Chamber of commerce and Merchants Market for their contribution; Omalie360 Music for providing the awesome entertainment; Jerdell Lake, Property Manager and Georgia Mathew-Durand, SweetSpot Gourmet for both their time and dedication in preparing the students for the event; Nat Hodge of The Anguillian Newspaper for providing media coverage;
And a very special thank you to the wonderful and supportive guests, parents, relatives and well wishers who supported the Year 5 Hospitality and Culinary students of Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School – the future of our hospitality industry.
