The Hospitality Department of the Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School has embarked on a new initiative to publicly showcase the food preparation skills of its students.
Ms. Latoya Mathew, one of the school’s Hospitality and Culinary Teachers, spoke about the latest occasion: “It was a fund-raising event entitled ‘A Culinary Exhibition: Foundation for accomplishing gastronomic dreams,’ she told media representatives. “It was held on Friday evening, April 29, at Restaurant 54’ (my classroom) as we called it. Our proceeds were geared towards the purchase of new kitchen supplies, and tickets were sold at $45.00 for the four-course meal including beverage.”
Ms. Mathew explained that, in preparation for the culinary event, she had obtained food handlers’ permits for the students following lectures and other course work, she conducted towards that end. She further stated that she had arranged for the students to visit restaurants to experience international fine and casual cuisine, and had also brought in a chef for demonstrations of Asian foods.
“This time, I went above and beyond, a little bit, for the students to enjoy fine dining. I think it was hard on many of their parents because they were then registering and paying for their CSEC and CXC subjects,” she reflected.
The school’s culinary event was a successful undertaking and an encouragement to both the hospitality and culinary teachers and students. Ms. Mathew expressed gratitude to the Principal, Mrs. Joyce Webster-Stuart, and all other persons, for their support.
