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YUTE and Restaurant Week 2011: Catering to job creation

Published:Thursday | March 15, 2012 | 12:00 AM
From left: Stephanie Scott, executive director of The Gleaner-sponsored Restaurant Week, Shavon Thompson, YUTE participant employed at The Terrace, and Sean Smiekle, participant employed at Cuddy'z, proudly show their certificates as Norician Anderson, the organisation's senior project officer, shares the occasion.

Fourteen Youth Upliftment Through Employment (YUTE) participants have secured jobs after the seventh annual Gleaner-sponsored Restaurant Week that was held from November 11-19 last year.

Thirty participants were assigned to selected participating restaurants in St Andrew, including: Caffe da Vinci, Susie's Bakery & Coffee Bar, Prendy's on the Beach, Cuddy'z, Alhambra Inn, Chaser's, The Terrace, Melting Pot, Starapples and Guilt Trip.

The participants worked as prep-chefs, bartenders and waiters during the week of culinary festivities. YUTE participants assigned to Cuddy'z Sports Bar & Restaurant recounted how much they enjoyed the opportunity to meet new people and mix drinks in the bar. They also shared their experiences of partaking in staff celebrations and feeling a sense of belonging to the team.

Food and beverage supervisor of The Melting Pot Restaurant & Lounge, Giselle Lobban, has since sent several commendations about their YUTE participant. "He was a breath of fresh air and brought light to any table he visited," she said.

The Gleaner-sponsored Restaurant Week executive director, Stephanie Scott, met with the YUTE programme management's team to begin discussions to add more spice to this year's Restaurant Week & YUTE partnership, in a bid to enhance social awareness, boost civic pride, and champion the cause for increased job creation.