Johnson & Wales University Donates Culinary Laboratory Equipment To South Haitian Hospitality & Tourism Institute
Today, in a busy culinary lab at Johnson & Wales University - North Miami Campus, (JWU) the Dean, Bruce Ozga, University President, Loreen Chant, Vice President, Dr. Larry Rice and CHTAEducation Foundation -Team Haiti Junior Chef 2012, Kyle Boursiquot, handed over the majority of equipment necessary to equip a culinary teaching lab to Consul General of the Republic of Haiti, Hon. Francois Guillaume II. Mayor Andre Pierre, City of North Miami was present.
The Consul General was delighted to receive the generous gift on behalf of Stephanie Balmir-Villedrouin, Minister of Tourism, and he restated the Minister's plan to develop the beautiful unknown South of Haiti, full of pristine beaches and amazing historic sites, as a leading tourist destination. The Haitian government is investing in the critical infrastructure of roads, airports and utilities but is also focusing on the redevelopment of a government building to become the Haitian regional center of practical hospitality & tourism excellence, (INFORHT Sud) Institut National de Formation Hoteliere et Touristique du Sud. This institute is key to delivering solid standards-based training to potential industry workers and will ensure sustainability of service quality for tourism investors in the region.
Dean Bruce Ozga gave remarks from Chris Wagner, Director of Culinary Arts, JWU, at his pleasure in continuing the action-based relationship with CHTAEF-Haiti Project in donating re-used kitchen equipment to equip the majority of a culinary teaching laboratory at INFORHT Sud. "I am sure it will be a great start to a bright educational future and I am honored that I was able to become a part of such a worthy cause. I would love to spend time with the students at INFORHT Sud to cook and speak with them about our amazing trade," he said. Chef Wagner plans to travel to Haiti later this year.
Kyle Boursiquot, JWU student, 2012 Team Haiti silver-medal winning Caribbean Junior Chef of the Year and CHTAEF-Haiti representative, is thrilled for the cooperation and continued strengthening of the JWU-CHTAEF partnership through this extremely generous donation and promised inspirational teaching follow-up. Kyle commented on behalf of CHTAEF saying, "Since its inception in 1987, the CHTAEF has positively impacted hundreds of young Caribbean hospitality professionals lives by spending over $1.6 million in education & mentoring scholarships; 2-years ago CHTAEF stepped into Haiti after the Earthquake and through the generosity of regional hospitality professionals, delivered a unique, dynamic, international skills-based hospitality & English program for survivors of the Port-au-Prince Hotel School. 10 Haitians are currently studying for their Associates Degree in Antigua. The continuation of this program through the incredible donation from JWU today is a testament to the partners of CHTAEF and their genuine belief in the brilliance of the regions youth."
Loreen Chant, President, JWU-North Miami & Dr. Larry Rice, Vice President and long-time service advocate for Haiti, were pleased to continue JWU's commitment to the Haitian community and be part of the regeneration of tourism within the country. They hoped the development of the South will give many Americans an alternative Caribbean vacation destination in years to come. Loreen Chant also thanked CHTAEF for giving the University and its Caribbean student body opportunities to partner for the betterment of young Haitian professionals through a fundraiser at the Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa & preparation of Team Haiti for their first entry to the Caribbean culinary Olympics, TASTE OF THE CARIBBEAN, in 2012, and looks forward to continuing the dynamic partnership with CHTAEF.
Mayor Andre Pierre, City of North Miami, was delighted to be present in what he sees as the continuum of JWU's strong community spirit and a great celebration of June 26, 2012 that was declared 'Culinary Team Haiti Day' by the City of North Miami to recognize the success of the first national culinary team from Haiti and the support given to the team by JWU and CHTAEF.
Dean Bruce Ozga gave remarks from Chris Wagner, Director of Culinary Arts, JWU, at his pleasure in continuing the action-based relationship with CHTAEF-Haiti Project in donating re-used kitchen equipment to equip the majority of a culinary teaching laboratory at INFORHT Sud. "I am sure it will be a great start to a bright educational future and I am honored that I was able to become a part of such a worthy cause. I would love to spend time with the students at INFORHT Sud to cook and speak with them about our amazing trade," he said. Chef Wagner plans to travel to Haiti later this year.
Kyle Boursiquot, JWU student, 2012 Team Haiti silver-medal winning Caribbean Junior Chef of the Year and CHTAEF-Haiti representative, is thrilled for the cooperation and continued strengthening of the JWU-CHTAEF partnership through this extremely generous donation and promised inspirational teaching follow-up. Kyle commented on behalf of CHTAEF saying, "Since its inception in 1987, the CHTAEF has positively impacted hundreds of young Caribbean hospitality professionals lives by spending over $1.6 million in education & mentoring scholarships; 2-years ago CHTAEF stepped into Haiti after the Earthquake and through the generosity of regional hospitality professionals, delivered a unique, dynamic, international skills-based hospitality & English program for survivors of the Port-au-Prince Hotel School. 10 Haitians are currently studying for their Associates Degree in Antigua. The continuation of this program through the incredible donation from JWU today is a testament to the partners of CHTAEF and their genuine belief in the brilliance of the regions youth."
Loreen Chant, President, JWU-North Miami & Dr. Larry Rice, Vice President and long-time service advocate for Haiti, were pleased to continue JWU's commitment to the Haitian community and be part of the regeneration of tourism within the country. They hoped the development of the South will give many Americans an alternative Caribbean vacation destination in years to come. Loreen Chant also thanked CHTAEF for giving the University and its Caribbean student body opportunities to partner for the betterment of young Haitian professionals through a fundraiser at the Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa & preparation of Team Haiti for their first entry to the Caribbean culinary Olympics, TASTE OF THE CARIBBEAN, in 2012, and looks forward to continuing the dynamic partnership with CHTAEF.
Mayor Andre Pierre, City of North Miami, was delighted to be present in what he sees as the continuum of JWU's strong community spirit and a great celebration of June 26, 2012 that was declared 'Culinary Team Haiti Day' by the City of North Miami to recognize the success of the first national culinary team from Haiti and the support given to the team by JWU and CHTAEF.
