During the month of October and November, children of Dominion Faith Centre and their invited friends, ages 9 to 14, engaged in an Etiquette and Hospitality Seminar under the instruction of members, Erlene White and Jeannine Connor-Gittens. This 5-week experience covered the basics of how etiquette and hospitality are closely intertwined and how having a firm grasp on both principles can help to develop productive citizens within any community.
The Etiquette sessions focused on proper dining protocol such as dinnerware placement, silverware usage, table manners, formal ways to greet and bid farewell to others, and also touched on personal hygiene and the necessity of house chores. The Hospitality sessions outlined the impact of the industry on Anguilla,provided the young participants with in-depth look at global hospitality career possibilities, and discussions onhow hospitality is connected to scriptures found in the Bible. The initiative, which was fully supported by Pastors Dexter Welcome and wife, Natasha Welcome, was inspired by the church’s mission/vision, which is to empower and equip its members with the necessary holistic skills to become effective and exemplary members of society.
Each week, the eager students participated in role-playing exercises, completed group activities such as planning a complete dinner menu and setting tables, and learned Bible verses pertinent to the themes. The culmination of this informative programme was a formal dinner at E’s Oven. The youth group was asked to dress formally for their night out and had the opportunity to showcase their newly acquired skills during the evening. A tailored menu was created and presented to the team of children and instructors by the gracious E’s Oven staff. Culinary delights such as seafood cake with apple-cabbage slaw, sirloin steak with mushroom sauce, pan seared snapper and decadent desserts were thoroughly enjoyed by all. At the end of the blissful evening, owner and Executive Chef of E’s Oven, Vernon Hughes, humbly posed with the children and answered their animated questions about his path to entrepreneurship. Vernon Hughes stated, “It was an honor to be a part of this program and work with the DFC youth. When we take the time to mold and shape our youth, we do our part to contribute to a stable and successful future for our nation.”
On behalf of Pastors Dexter and Natasha Welcome and the Dominion Faith Centre family, a heartfelt thanks goes out to the management and staff of E’s Oven, and all parents, for their time, dedication and support of this remarkable endeavor.
– Press Release