FIVE outstanding students from the University of Technology (UTech), Jamaica’s School of Hospitality and Tourism Management are this year’s beneficiaries of the Jamaica Observer Table Talk Food Awards scholarship and bursaries.

With the awards now in its 18th year, the scholarship programme has grown from its initial offering of two scholarships valued at $250,000 to now being worth, cumulatively, over $1 million.

Adjudged on academic achievement and need, the five students were shortlisted from a large pool of qualified applicants.

Taneisha Wicombe, Shaniel Sherman, Damaine Beckford and Kristin Cee-Ann McKenzie have been awarded scholarships of one year’s tuition to UTech’s Bachelor of Science in Food Service Management along with book purchases and other school attendance support. Meanwhile, Tracy Ann Wray is the recipient of a $150,000 bursary. Each awardee has demonstrable scholastic achievement boasting average GPAs of 3.32 for the previous academic year.

Jamaica Observer Managing Director Danville Walker congratulated the awardees and charged them to use the financial help to “not only achieve academic excellence and make their families proud, but to pursue their dreams”. The programme’s conceptualiser, Novia McDonald-Whyte, added her own congratulations and challenged the students to strive for excellence in their culinary pursuits.

The selection panel was also served by UTech Head of Hospitality and Tourism Management Dr Gaunette Sinclair-Maragh; UTech Director of Student Financing Garcia Green-McLennon; and Scholarship Officer Pauline Madourie. All three had high praises for the

Observer initiative and thanked the newspaper for its continued dedication to excellence through education.

The 18th AnnualJamaica Observer Table Talk Food Awards takes place on Thursday, May, 26 at Devon House.