The Community College Development Unit in Anguilla now has a functioning Zenaida Cafeteria which serves both as a training facility for its many hospitality students and as a competing place of good food on the island.

Staff members of Zenaida Cafeteria

Speaking at the launching ceremony on March 27, Project Director, Dawn Reid, said the training kitchen and cafeteria was a step in the concept of reality-based training, the foundation approach being used in the establishment of the Hospitality Training Institute of the Anguilla Community College. “This first step, though small, is significant as it epitomizes the old adage…A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Our journey of a thousand miles is in fact quite a realistic one not only in terms of the distance that we have to go, and what needs to be done, but in the vision…of establishing Zenaida Café as our dining and business plan,” she said.

Mrs. Reid said the goal of the cafeteria was “to become a leading restaurant, offering exemplary service, a one of a kind dining experience, exceeding the expectations of our clients and becoming a major marketing tool for our island’s tourism industry, thereby becoming a centre of excellence providing the optimum environment for training in superior quality food preparation and service.”

The Opening ceremony

She stated that by setting such high standards for the Training and Kitchen Cafeteria, it had set the correct ethos for the training environment and for the production of graduates of the Hospitality Training Institute of a very high standard comparable to any such training institute world-wide.
“Just over a year ago the Community College Development Unit was given the opportunity to relocate to new and larger accommodation to satisfy the growing needs and interest in the programmes we offer and also to facilitate the formalisation of the Anguilla Community College,” she went on. “One bonus and attraction for this particular location was that it provided the scope and potential for establishing a training kitchen and cafeteria.”
Noting that Zenaida refers to the turtle dove, Anguilla’s national bird, Mrs. Reid said that the naming of the cafeteria was aimed at developing the island’s national pride and to promote Anguilla’s culture and art. She added that the Chef de Partie/Trainer, Karimah Carty, who is responsible for the management of Zenaida Café, had already established a reputation for herself. So far, the café has catered for 100 guests at an event hosted by the Anguilla Tourist Board and for the Anguilla Beautification Club.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Chanelle Petty-Barrett, said the Ministry was proud of the work of the Community College Development Unit. “To my mind, the most gratifying accomplishment is simply the response and the level of interest of the public in the courses offered by the unit and the demand for more,” she said. “Our people are finally getting it. Personal and professional advancement are only possible if we properly equip ourselves. Anguilla’s development can only be beneficial to us if we are properly prepared. Our people are hungry for knowledge and the public response has been overwhelming.”

Mr. Banks cutting the ribbon assisted by Mrs. Dawn Reid and Mrs. Chanelle Petty - Barrette

Mrs. Petty-Barrett continued: “Late last year I had the opportunity to participate in a certificate ceremony organised by the unit for the unit for those persons who had successfully completed courses; and the pride on the faces of the recipients and the fact that their families turned out inn their numbers, really validates the work of the unit. It says to me that we have a serious obligation. The Good Book says when someone is hungry, feed them; when they are thirsty, give them drink and so we have to feed that hunger and thirst that our people have for knowledge and continue to provide opportunities for them to reach their goal. We often say to people: ‘dream big’. We have a duty to ensure that they have had the opportunity to equip themselves sufficiently to make those big dreams a reality.”

Speaking on behalf of the Minister of Social Development, Minister of Finance, Victor Banks, said the project was specifically geared to developing tourism skills and ensuring the development of the human resources to manage the island’s development. He congratulated the three women – Dawn Reid, Sharon Richardson, the Hospitality Coordinator and Bernice Edwards – for being at the foundation of the project.

Mr. Banks said the coming feasibility study on the college was aimed at formulating a strategy for the development of the project but there was a need for the determination it make it work and the commitment on the part of Government, the people of Anguilla and those who attend the college to ensure its success.

The ribbon was cut by Mr. Banks assisted by Mrs. Reid and Mrs. Petty-Barrett.

The chairperson for the ceremony was Sharon Richardson and the blessing of the cafeteria was performed by Reverend Careen White of the Methodist Church.

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