Students of EPI and University present:
‘Eat to Educate @Aruba’s Global Culinary Experience’
ORANJESTAD — Dean John Wardlaw of the University of Aruba, faculty FHTMS, has a perfect way to describe the upcoming event to Aruba Today: “This is to the benefit of the Horeca students of College EPI and the Faculty of Hospitality and Tourism Management Studies (FHTMS). Thanks to our sponsors the students will be guided to prepare an exquisite taster station experience. The partners within the tourism industry acknowledge the importance of educating the next generation, their future employees.” Wardlaw is referring to the ‘Eat to Educate’ event, taking place tomorrow evening at the University of Aruba.
Following last year’s very successful Al Fresco Fund Raising Dinner, the students of EPI HORECA and the Faculty of Hospitality and Tourism Management Studies (FHTMS) are again, under the initiative and guidance of Marin Bijl and the Food and Beverage staff of Divi and Tamarijn All Inclusive Resort along with new participating partners, preparing another wonderful evening for the Aruban community.
This event will be slightly different, instead of the five-course paired dinner, this year there will be taster stations, introducing the guest to the delicate tastes of a variety of global culinary regions. The foods will be paired with an assortment of wines and other beverages that will titillate the taste buds.
The event will take place in the spectacular garden of the university, the building is housed in the historic and beautiful de La Salle Building. The students will prepare a wonderful night for 200 guests where a world of culinary experiences is offered. There are tasting stations with typical dishes from Aruba, The Netherlands, Asia, Italy and the Mediterranean. Paired wines are to enjoy and a mixologist will present more sophisticated drinks during the evening.
As Wardlaw explained, this event has a dual goal. In the first place it means an opportunity to the students to practice their skills and experience how to organize an event from the beginning to the end. The set-up of the menu, the groceries, the preparing of the dishes, the set-up of the tables, the serving and the break-down are all included into the process they will go through and this experience will only take them further in their study. The second goal of the event is to get funding for the faculty’s field trips and culinary activities of both EPI and the university to comply with the concept ‘experiential learning’. Within the global industry there are many examples of projects like these, like South Beach Food & Wine Festival organized by Florida International University (FIU).
“The first event turned out to be a hit where the students learned a lot and the result was more participation of partners within the industry. In the long term events like these result in a closer collaboration between partners and educational institutes so both sides are in benefit.” The organization is grateful to Marin Bijl, GM of Divi & Tamarijn for the visión and endless support to make this event again happen. Also the staff of the resort has done a tremendous job in assisting. Sponsors of this evening are: Eventions, Angelo Koolman, Sharp Productions, Sunny Ray Aruba, Arion Wine, Tropical Bottling, Divio Pepia Est, Gianni’s Group, La Cava, Vibrations PR, Romar Trading y Aruba Trading.
Students and staff of EPI Horeca and UA FHTMS invite the community to experience a culinary trip in a great ambiance while at the same time supporting the education on the island. The evening will start at 7 PM and last until 10.30 PM. You will be welcomed with a cocktail and hors d’oeuvres as well as music by Angelo Koolman featuring Bamboo Band. Tickets are available through Dean John Wardlaw email: jjwardlaw@hotmail.com, john.wardlaw@ua.aw (+297 526-2240) or Mrs. Jo-Anne Croes email: jo-anne.croes@ua.aw or WhatsApp (+297 592-1274).
