L-R: DoT’s Senior Tourism Training & Development Coordinator, Alma McKenzie, winners Beeko Smith and Danya Ebanks, Executive Chef, Jason Koppinger.

Two talented graduates of the Tourism Apprenticeship Training Programme (TATP) recently received bronze medals for their tasty creations in the Cayman Culinary Society’s annual culinary competition, which took place at the Ritz-Carlton on October 28-29.

After days of perfecting her rendition of Heavy Beef Soup, 2009 graduate Danya Ebanks wowed the judges with the distinctly local and Caribbean-flavoured dish. Using his uncle’s recipe, 2008 graduate Beeko Smith entered a Cayman Fish Stew, which ultimately captured his bronze medal, as well as a hot entrée of Island BBQ Steak.

Both Beeko and Danya are employed by The Westin Casuarina Resort & Spa and were encouraged to enter the competition by their mentor and Executive Chef, Jason Koppinger.

“Danya and Beeko have the job title of Line Cook, but that does not say enough for what they do and have accomplished here at the Westin,” Chef Koppinger said.

“Since being a part of the team, they have learned multiple facets of Culinary Arts; working in banquets, food preparation, various stations through brunch and more.” “As I told both of these young culinarians,” he continued, “this is just the start and they are prime examples of not only what the TATP can do, but they are role models for all young Caymanians who strive for a career in the
hospitality industry.”

“The Tourism Apprentice Training Advisory Council and I regard the TATP students as we would our own children. We watch them go through the programme, building their skill sets and excelling in a career that they love, and it’s with this parental pride that we congratulate Danya and Beeko on attaining their awards,” stated Alma McKenzie, Senior Tourism Training & Development Coordinator for the Department of Tourism, on behalf of the TATP Council.

“They competed against other well-established chefs and proved that their creativity and talent were on par with some of the best chefs in the Cayman Islands,” she noted.

General Manager of The Westin Casuarina Resort & Spa, Dan Szydlowski said, “We are pleased to have been the property that both Beeko and Danya completed their work experience at and we are thrilled that they have both accepted full-time employment with us. We hope to produce many more shining stars through our partnership with the Apprenticeship Programme.”

The Ministry of Tourism’s Tourism Apprenticeship Training Programme (TATP) is designed to create a cadre of Caymanian hospitality professionals in occupations traditionally under-represented by Caymanians but with respectable compensation levels and career potential.

The TATP is built on a partnership between the Ministry and Department of Tourism, the University College of the Cayman Islands, International College of the Cayman Islands and the Cayman Islands Tourism Association. Based on the philosophy of learning by doing, the TATP provides participants with vocational skills and combines on-the-job training with classroom learning. The TATP is a full-time course lasting 38 weeks and successful students walk away with the recognized CARIBCERT Certification.

The TATP is predominantly aimed at high school seniors and graduates interested in tourism/hospitality, as well as workers in the industry trying to advance their career; however, any Caymanians interested in a career in the hospitality industry are invited to apply.