On Tuesday, November 6, students from John Mills Infant, Primary & Junior High School and their assistant vice-principal Marcia Ennis were invited to lunch by CEO and managing director of NCB Insurance Company Limited Vernon James. As the students filed into the clubhouse of the NCB Wellness and Recreational Centre they were greeted by James and his colleagues Tracy Spence, Christopher Vendryes, Desmond Johnson, Vivienne Brown and Anntonette Cowan-Palmer and Applaud It! conceptualiser and senior associate editor, lifestyle and social content, Jamaica Observer Limited Novia McDonald-Whyte.

The 10 students dined on a tasty three-course lunch prepared by Marlene Foster Gourmet Caterers around an M Style XP-decorated table. For the first course there was cream of pumpkin soup with rolls and butter. This was followed by a substantial main course which comprised chicken teriyaki, stir-fried fish and vegetables, honey-baked ham, yellow rice pilaf, macaroni and cheese, baked plantains with cinnamon and fresh garden salad with creamy Italian dressing. The meal was completed with a generous slice of strawberry cheesecake.

Applaud It! is a “week-long initiative that provides a unique opportunity for industry leaders to meet the next generation exactly where they are at and guide them through an awesome experience that exposes them to social and dining skills”. It was pleasing to see this group of youngsters embrace etiquette so well. They were willing to be instructed and enjoyed doing thing the “right way”. Some found it a relief to know that they could keep their napkins tucked inside the front of their collars. From the buttering of dinner rolls to the correct way to eat soup to balancing yellow rice pilaf on the back of their forks the students were eager to learn, demonstrate and practise.

Thursday Food has highlights.