New workshops stress entry-level skills

On Monday morning, an elaborately set dinner table was positioned in the middle of the conference room at the Department of Youth Affairs and Sports.

On top of a white linen tablecloth were two glasses, a red cloth napkin neatly folded into each one.

The place setting modeled the experience participants would find at the upscale restaurants and resorts that employ hundreds of people across the Virgin Islands. And that was the point.

Malcia Smith-Hamilton, a consultant conducting the “Art of Food Service” workshop, told the 21 young adults in attendance that learning basic hospitality skills could help them get their foot in the door of the industry.

“As you go out to service a guest, you have to know how to set tables, to make sure all of the salt and pepper shakers are out there, so we’re going to talk about that,” she said.

The workshop focused on fundamentals such as giving a good first impression, the importance of knowing a restaurant’s specials and menu, and teamwork.

See the April 3, 2014 edition for full coverage.

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