#Providenciales, July 10, 2019 – Turks and Caicos – The Turks
& Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association’s (TCHTA) Hospitality Adventure Camp
Alumni Wilkiens Martin, Wayne Gardiner Jr., Kevin Missick, Robinangel Simons
and Christin Greene are making waves as they continue to excel while receiving praises
and accolades from top organizations for their continuous strides in the
industry.
They have
represented the destination at several top international culinary events and
continue to serve as inspiration for many aspiring young local chefs across the
islands.
“Wilkiens,
Robin, Wayne, Kevin and Christin are all products of our TCI Hospitality Adventure
Culinary Camp which we run through the TCHTA with support from our members and
the public,” said CEO of the association, Stacy Cox. “We have had so many
success stories from this program which has created so many avenues to allow their
talents to shine on the international stage. I am so proud of them all, and the
many that have used this program as a tool to achieve their dreams.”
Wilkiens
Martin has represented Turks & Caicos in over 10 competitions and events
with Taste of the Caribbean being among the most recent. He has accrued over seven medals, trophies
and accolades during his time in the culinary field and has earned the respect
of his peers, mentors and, most of all, the industry.
“The
Culinary Camps have changed my life and led me to a path where I found my true
passion,” said Martin. “I’ve always known I wanted to be a chef, but I wasn’t
sure how to make that dream happen. After being encouraged by my high school Food
& Nutrition teacher to join, I discovered a whole new world that provided
endless possibilities and access to amazing mentors that have helped me get to
where I am today.”
Martin
credits his success to his hard work and perseverance and to the team of
supporters that believe in him. He said that his seven-year journey was not an
easy one as it took tremendous commitment to stay on the path and he encourages
all aspiring junior chefs to take advantage of the programs that are available.
“To all aspiring young chefs, my advice is to be patient with yourself, accept
that you will make plenty of mistakes, people may even laugh at you. But be strong, ask questions and take notes. Also,
strive to think outside the box and be prepared to represent your country
internationally.”
Wayne
Gardiner, Jr. is another prominent up and coming chef who represented the
island at the Rum and Rhythm Extravaganza in New York last month. Gardiner credits his success to the Hospitality
Adventure Lit’l Chefs Camp along with the list of mentors that have helped him
along the way.
Kevin
Missick represented TCI at the World Gourmet Summit in Singapore in May
alongside top chefs such as TCI Culinary Ambassador, Nikita Skippings, Chef
Lorraine Kenlock and fellow Junior Chef Alumni Robinangel Simons. Missick said that being allowed to showcase
his skills in Singapore has not only built his confidence but has also
introduced him to a new style of cooking.
“I have always been fascinated with cooking and the Lit’l Chefs Camp has
solidified my love and passion for the profession.” said Missick.
He too
credits his success to hard work, determination and also taking advantage of
the programs that are available to help young people develop their talents. “It
took a lot of hard work, interning, studying, training and being mentored by
some of the TCI’s best chefs. Because of this, I was able to represent the
country internationally at the World Gourmet Summit in Singapore and win my
first medal at the Taste of the Caribbean event last month.
Robinangel
Simons has come through the Lit’l Chefs Camp and has gone on to continue her
culinary studies in the United Kingdom, having now completed her Bachelor’s
degree and intent on continuing to her Master’s. Just last week, she led a faction of Team TCI
to a gold win in Antigua at the Antigua & Barbuda Grandprix Invitational.
Christin
Greene is also pursuing her studies in Hospitality Management and Culinary Arts
at the Florida International University (FIU), now in her Junior year. She has
successfully competed for Team TCI at the Junior Duelling Challenge in
Barbados, and now prepares to mentor the Jr. Lit’l Chef campers this year while
she is at home on her summer break.
These are
just a few of the many success stories from the TCHTA’s Hospitality Adventure
Camps. This year, the camps have added
some exciting changes welcoming not only aspiring chefs, but also boat captains
and cosmetologists from across the islands.
Cox
congratulated Martin, Gardiner, Simons, Missick and Greene and hopes that
aspiring young professionals will hear these success stories and take advantage
of the opportunities that are made available through these programs. “Hats off
to all of them. I have watched them develop since the beginning, and their accolades
and accomplishments speak to their growth. With the Hospitality Adventure
Camps, we aim to spark interest and develop talents that will turn into a
lifelong passion and career. Our goal is to provide programs and activities
that lead to complete development and empowerment of our country’s talented
youth.”
This
year’s camps kicked off on July 8th with the Jr. Lit’l Chefs camp for students
aged 12 to 14 years. The Lit’l Chefs Camp (a stay-over camp) takes place from
July 14th to 20th. This is an advanced segment of the Jr. Lit’l Chefs program
aimed at providing young cooks between the ages of 15 to 19 with an in-depth
look into the culinary field and offer one-on-one coaching and a sleep-in camp
experience. The Cosmetology camp rounds out this season’s events from July 22nd
to 26th and will give students ages 15 to 19 an opportunity to learn about the
beauty, spa, wellness and cosmetic industry.
The TCI
Hospitality Adventure program has long been supported by members of the TCHTA.
The organization has hosted three major annual fundraising events to help
finance the initiative; the annual Taste of Tapas, Chefs on the Beach and the
Golf Scramble all assist the TCHTA with covering the expenses of the camp, its
continued development, and the costs associated with traveling to competitions.
Interested
applicants are encouraged to visit the TCHTA Office. Prospective campers and
parents will be required to sign a consent form and all camps are subject to an
entry fee which will be paid by all applicants.
The TCHTA
is also looking for interested chefs to join the award-winning culinary team.
For more information about the TCI Hospitality Adventure Camps or to learn how you can become a part of TEAM TCI, interested persons and organizations are encouraged to call the TCHTA office on 331-5787 or visit their social media pages.
Remanded until July, but her attorney Leanna Brooks-Campbell is likely to make application for bail as the matter is now transfered to the Supreme Court.
American tourist from Orlando, Florida Shanita Shinee Giree, 45, who was arrested Monday, after two bullets were allegedly found in her baggage is the newest defendant facing the stiff penalties associated with breaching the Turks & Caicos Firearms Ordinance.
Giree was exiting TCI at the Providenciales International Airport with her daughter when the ammunition was detected, ending her Mother’s Day trip to the islands on an unexpectedly sour note.
Today, the chief magistrate remanded her to prison until July 5, 2024, however that can change.
She is facing charges of unlawful possession of ammunition; a crime punishable with a minimum 12 year sentence except in the case of a judge ruling that the case falls in the category of “exceptional.”
Then, and only then would it warrant a different sentence by a judge.
Support for the Floridian was impressive; Bryan Hagerich and Ryan Watson and their relatives filled the Magistrate’s Court on Old Airport Road informs Court Correspondent, Wilkie Arthur.
It was a show of patriotic solidarity on an issue which has elicited emotive views on all sides for Americans who are hoping to prove they were tourists on holiday and nothing more.
Bryan Hagerich of Pennsylvanian and Ryan Watson of Oklahoma also charged in two separate instances for being in possession of ammunition while wrapping up their TCI vacations in April and May respectively.
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – May 14th, 2024 – The Turks and Caicos Islands Government and Molo Hotel Group reached a pivotal juncture on Monday, May 13th, 2024, with the ceremonial signing of a development agreement at the Premier’s Office on Providenciales. The agreement, which received official Cabinet approval on March 13th, 2024, signifies a steadfast commitment to advancing the economic landscape of the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Molo Hotel Group is a family-owned business, renowned for its distinguished portfolio of high-quality hotels worldwide. The development initiative encompasses the construction of three distinct IHG branded hotels: InterContinental Turks and Caicos, Kimpton Turks and Caicos and Hotel Indigo Turks and Caicos. Scheduled for completion by 2027, each resort boasts a distinctive design from luxury to laidback sophistication spanning across the shores of Grace Bay Beach.
Kimpton Turks and Caicos – an epitome of luxury lifestyle living, will feature 192 guest rooms including three outdoor pools, a luxury spa and a fitness center. Additionally, seven dining options ranging from a beachfront restaurant to a rooftop bar.
Adjacent to the Kimpton, InterContinental Turks and Caicos will offer 59 classic luxury suites with panoramic ocean views. Mirroring its counterpart, this resort will offer an array of dining options and upscale facilities.
Steps away from the Intercontinental and Kimpton resorts, Hotel Indigo Turks and Caicos will embrace a sense of community and contemporary elegance, offering 56 bedrooms. The resort will feature an onsite restaurant, lobby bar, outdoor pool, and fitness room.
Beyond the realm of hospitality, this development agreement underscores the government’s commitment to fostering economic growth and enhancing employment opportunities in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Molo is partnering with the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College (TCICC) to actively promote hospitality as a career choice and support in developing training programs, career fairs, seminars, workshops, and events to raise awareness about hospitality careers. Molo has committed to provide employment and apprentice opportunities to TCICC students and provide mentoring and practical on property training to students.
The signing event was graced by Hon. Charles Washington Missick, Premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands, Hon. Jamell Robinson, Deputy Premier, Hon. Kyle Knowles, Minister of Public Safety and Utilities, Hon. Rachel Taylor, Minister of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture, Łukasz and Marcin Slominski, Owners of Molo, Ross Morrow, Managing Director Molo, Arik Kono, Vice President Upscale Development for IHG, Dr. Candice Williams, President and CEO of the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College, Angela Musgrove, InvestTCI CEO, Dr. Barbara Ambrister, Chairperson of the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College, Dr. Delores Stapleton- Harris, Vice President of Academic, Vocational and Student Affairs for the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College, Mr. Kevin Baxter, Dean of Technical Vocational Education Training (TVET) and Sheryl McLaughlin, InvestTCI Investment Services Executive.
Commenting on the development agreement, Premier, Hon. Misick, stated “The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signing of IHG/Molo Hotels is a significant step towards a sustainable future for hospitality in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Three hotels, Kimpton, Intercontinental, and Hotel Indigo, will be introduced, enhancing our tourism product and creating employment opportunities.”
He further added, “Partnerships with the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College and Turks and Caicos Islands Sports Commission are underway, demonstrating the Government’s commitment to developing human capital and elevating tourism offerings. This project will bring economic growth, embrace local talent, and enrich our economy.”
Additionally, Mrs. Angela Musgrove, CEO of Invest Turks and Caicos Islands, emphasized “This collaboration confirms our commitment to fostering economic growth and prosperity within our country. We have worked closely with Molo Hotel Group, and we are confident that this transformative project will further position the Turks and Caicos Islands as a premier destination for travel and investment. Much to our delight, it will also provide opportunities for engagement with our Community College and small business community.”
The Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands, operating through its primary Investment Promotion
Agency, Invest Turks and Caicos Islands, remains committed to attracting and facilitating Foreign Direct Investments to the country by providing a comprehensive suite of services. Through strategic initiatives and targeted promotion, the agency catalyzes sustainable development, driving innovation and small business opportunities across various sectors of the economy.
A DAUGHTER reportedly brought her mother to the Turks and Caicos for Mother’s Day, and both were allegedly arrested, leaving the Turks and Caicos Islands today (Monday 13th, May,2024).
Officials say they were found with two rounds of ammunition in their luggage.
Police have confirmed the arrest to Magnetic Media after inquiries.
Turks & Caicos residents are already reacting to this latest report, “dumbfounded” by the mistake which keeps being repeated despite all of the high profile attention the matter has received in leading news organizations and the warning the US Embassy has issued. There is also the well publicized stance of the TCI Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions that these individuals must be punished according to the law.
In this newest case, the daughter was released, and the mother remains in police custody pending charge and court appearance later this week.