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.