Anguilla Hotel and Tourism Association "Strengthening Anguilla's Tourism through Association"
AHTA Conducts Youth Escape Culinary Programme
Press Release: ANGUILLA, BRITISH WEST INDIES, Tuesday, 1st September, 2009
The Anguilla Hotel and Tourism recently conducted a highly successful Youth Escape Culinary Programme with 22 participating children on the island. This programme lasted 5 days from Monday, 17 August to Friday, 21 August 2009 and was designed to keep children on school holidays occupied while building their interest in the Culinary Arts. They were exposed to various segments of the culinary field and met with some of Anguilla’s most noted chefs, farmers (poultry and agriculture) as well as the Anguilla Junior Culinary Team members, and of course, our very own Caribbean Chef of the Year, Mr. Glendon Carty of Ripples and Cap Juluca.
Students had the experience of hands-on cooking with Executive Sous Chef from Cap Juluca Mr. Dean Samuels, Ms. Bernice Fahie Richardson and Aunty B who taught them how to cook authentic Anguillian dishes in the lovely kitchen of E’s Oven. They were welcomed by Mr. Dale Carty of the world famous Tasty’s Restaurant where they had the pleasure of having a wonderful chat with Dale while having a special lunch prepared specifically prepared for them by Chef Carty.
They cooked in the beautiful kitchen at da’Vida Restaurant owned by David Lloyd and Vida Lloyd Richardson of Crocus Hill as well as the kitchen at CuisinArt Resort and Spa, where they were greeted by Chef Daniel Le Guenan and Food and Beverage Manager, Mr. Dennis James. At CuisinArt, they enjoyed a tour of the hotel’s famous herb garden prior to receiving an education and demonstration on fine wines and wine pairings from Mr. James. The youth cooked with Chef Daniel and were later served the dishes that they prepared at a wonderfully laid lunch table by Mr. Thomas Samuel, Food and Beverage Manager and the staff of Santorini Restaurant. In the words of one participant, “them people know how to set a table”. They also got to enjoy the grounds and some games at CuisinArt Resort and Spa.
The last day of the programme was highlighted with a “Pizza on the Rocks” day at the home of Mr. Chris and Mrs. Jo-Anne Mason on the Sea Rocks. This was one of the highlights and most anticipated days of the five-day programme, and they had a very hands-on session in making pizza dough, baking the pizzas and creating beautiful antipasto platters. The participants were treated to desserts of home made ice cream by Mr. Dean Samuels and banana nut cake by Ms. Gilda Gumbs-Samuel. Each member of the programme was presented with a certificate of completion and a picture was taken with Teacher Bernice Fahie Richardson during the closing ceremony.
Ms. Claire Devener of Anguilla Life magazine awarded special prize recognition to Mr. Neville Webster of Island Harbour in the form a best recipe cook-off of a goat curry dish between Neville and Chef Dale Carty. This event will take place on Saturday evening, September 5th, 7.00 pm at Tasty’s Restaurant.
Organizer of the event, Ms. Gilda Gumbs-Samuel, Membership and Events Manager of the Anguilla Hotel and Tourism Association said “this was one of the best projects that I have ever undertaken”. Gilda stated that she felt especially proud and was humbled to have been asked to participate and organize the programme for the youths of Anguilla. “It is another way of bringing the Tourism Sector and the community together”, she said and “I am always open to that”.
Special thanks to the following persons and companies for working with the Anguilla Hotel and Tourism Association in ensuring such a successful Culinary Programme: Department of Youth and Culture, Ministry of Social Development, Mr. Chris and Mrs. JoAnne Mason, Ms. Bernice Fahie Richardson, Aunty B., Chef Dean Samuels, Mr. Glendon Carty (Caribbean Chef of the Year), Mrs. Rhona Richardson Roydon, CuisinArt Resort and Spa Staff and Management, Da’Vida Restaurant Staff and Management, E’s Oven Restaurant Staff and Management, Mr. Arthur Ward and Rohan Petty of New Era Productions, Mr. Harrigan of Harry’s Bus Services, Mr. James (Sonny) Ruan of East End Poultry Farm, Tasty’s Restaurant Staff and Management, Junior Culinary Team of Anguilla, and Mr. Calvin Vanterpool. We would also like to thank the Anguilla Social Security Board and Anguilla Community Foundation for their financial contributions.
The AHTA membership comprises over 160 hotels, villas and allied members. It is Anguilla’s oldest and largest private Association and is wholly funded by membership subscriptions and fundraising events. It’s motto is ‘strengthening Anguilla’s tourism through association.