Elveta Chalmers, Ag Dir Tourism
Three weeks ago on November 8, Twenty-five (25) persons completed a two-week food and beverage operations workshop, which was once again, took place at the Windsor Restaurant.
There were 23 females and 2 males received certificates following their successful completion of the course, which is part of the skills training, this time in the area of food and beverage operations. The skills training project includes training in various disciplines, including house keeping, customer care, customer service, food and beverage preparation and Tour and Taxi drivers training.
The workshop was organised by the Montserrat Tourist Board (MTB) as part of its ongoing Skills Training Programme. This was one of several such workshops hosted by the MTB and at this closing graduation ceremony, Culture director Herman ‘Cupid’ Francis was the chairman, while the Windsor Restaurant owner/manager opened the event with prayers.
The food and beverage operations workshop exposed participants to both food preparation and presentation as well as restaurant and bar service.
Acting Director of the MTB Elveta Chalmers described the occasion as an important milestone for the organization and Montserrat as a whole. “Over the past four years the Montserrat Tourist Boars has trained 187 participants in the various disciplines,” she informed, pointing out that the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) through the Caribbean Technological Consultancy Services (CTCS) provided funding for the course.
She thanked CDB for the ongoing support and informed that they provided two very effective facilitators in Mrs. Rosemary Lucas-Reefer and Mr. Carl Rice, both well qualified in the areas they serviced.
Mrs. Chalmers after describing the qualifications and the achievements of the two facilitators, spoke to the participants and challenged them to practice what they have learnt. “They should not let what they learnt this past few weeks fall by the wayside…as it is important that we ready ourselves now and in the future, we must be aware that the discerning traveler expects a certain standard of service that we must be ready to deliver that service,” she told them.
Both facilitators spoke of the course and their time in Montserrat, addressing and encouraging the students to make the best of their training. (read the story online at The Montserrat Reporter’s website: www.themontserratreporter.com and listen to the addresses)
After receiving their certificates, a vote of thanks followed, preceded by impressions of one the participants. They invited their guests and supporters at the ceremony, to sample and taste some of the goodies they learnt to prepare during the course.
