Multiple Jamaica Food Awards winners Andrea and Axel Wichterich of the boutique hotel Marblue Villa Suites in Treasure Beach, St Elizabeth, introduce their cooking classes for teens scheduled to begin this month.

Marblue, well known for its exotic fare and breathtaking views, will be home to the cooking class challenge, and in an interview with Thursday Food, owner Axel Wichterich explained the concept designed to open teenagers’ awareness to the culinary arts: “The idea was born out of my interest to educate young people who have a desire to learn more about the culinary arts. I think that it is vital that we train these young people so that they are able to not only work in Jamaica but to compete with culinary chefs globally.”

Wichterich decided on the food challenge to provide some form of incentive for the participants: “It is important that we challenge and motivate our young people, so what better way than to make the cooking class be in the form of a challenge?”

The teenagers will be instructed in the art of preparing a four-course meal.

The best from each team over a four-week period will be chosen to present a four-course menu to parents and specially invited guests from the hotel industry at the grand finals. Wichterich hopes that the course will encourage and motivate teenagers’ appreciation for the food industry and even hopes to introduce an internship programme at Marblue: “I hope to keep on at least one of the students from the cooking course challenge for training at Marblue.” The Cooking Course for Teens is free of cost.

Interested persons can contact Axel and Andrea Wichterich at 965-3408 or 840-5772 or e-mail: info@marblue.com for more details.