The students of Iris Gelly Primary School made lasting impressions as they were hosted by the team from Rainforest Caribbean on Tuesday, November 19, on day three of the Jamaica Observer Applaud It! series at their Slipe Road corporate office in Kingston.

Twelve students from grades one to six and their teachers were guided into the conference room where the table was expertly set for the guests, ready to perfect their fine dining etiquette and social skills courtesy of a three-course meal created by Chef Kara Pessoa.

After the guests took their seats, Rainforest Caribbean Marketing Manager Denise Byfield Dixon welcomed them and introduced them to members of the Rainforest Caribbean executive team, which included Director of Corporate Affairs and Strategic Partnerships Roger Lyn, Business Development Manager Ben Jardim, Group Head of People Services Karlene Sutherland, and Group Corporate Communications Manager Bethany Young.

Lyn delivered opening remarks to the students and teachers, congratulating the school on its consistent performance. He then encouraged the students to make the most of their unique opportunity.

“Don’t be intimidated. Be bold. It is a learning process. We all were at your stage. Today we are going to have fun, relax, and ask all the questions. No question is a dumb question. That is how we learn,” Lyn said. It is important that you guys stay focused, it doesn’t matter how young you are. You can achieve great things.”

Grade two teacher Sharnette Thompson-Coburn blessed the proceedings and the guests began their first course, cream of pumpkin soup with coconut cream. Jamaica Observer Senior Associate Editor Lifestyle & Social Content Novia McDonald-Whyte demonstrated the proper method of eating the soup which the students were eager to try.

The discussion highlighted the academic success of the students but also the increased support of their parents who are more involved. Special mention was given to the fathers who have become active and sustaining influences for their children, which was celebrated by the Rainforest team. Lyn then asked the students how familiar they are with Rainforest Caribbean and what they produce, garnering a response from grade four student Travares Martin who correctly answered seafood.

Lyn proceeded to explain how they have now expanded beyond selling seafood products.

“Seafood is what we initially started with. So we were known for Rainforest Seafoods but we are doing so much more now than seafood and that is why we changed the name to Rainforest Caribbean,” Lyn said. “We are not just selling seafood, we are selling frozen foods, we are doing canned vegetables, you name it. We are a total food company so we are selling frozen goods and we are selling dry goods on the shelves.”

The discussion was not one-sided as the students asked questions of the Rainforest Caribbean team, particularly grade five student Lemar Dunbar who was interested in knowing the difference between a male and a female lobster, one of the company’s offerings. Jardim was eager to address his question noting the different fins which differentiate them.

Jamaica Observer Digital Media Manager Gavay Watt, past student of Iris Gelly shared his experience with the students, noting that learning these essential skills will be a strong foundation in their later lives.

“At Iris Gelly, you will learn a lot of the skills that you will need and experiences like this will prepare you later in life. When you go to high school and you start having the functions, you will be the ones teaching your friends,” Watt said

The main course arrived soon after as the guests enjoyed their parmesan-crusted snapper with jasmine rice and sauteed market vegetables. As McDonald-Whyte assisted students in using their knives and forks to eat their entree, Chef Pessoa introduced the meal, highlighting the importance of eating healthy.

“It doesn’t have to be bland. We eat with our eyes and colours are healthy. So the more colourful your plate is, the healthier it is. They say you eat the rainbow because (the vegetables) have a lot of nutrients,” Pessoa said.

The meal drew approval from the students and sparked questions from Dunbar who inquired about the meal as well as her journey into cooking. Pessoa commented while it was difficult going through culinary school, she embraced the challenge.

The afternoon ended with a unique dessert, a sorbet crafted by Rainforest Fruit Bars, their new product along with chocolate and vanilla cake. Smiles and selfies brought another successful lunch to a close.

Applaud It! continues today with the NCB Foundation.

Photographer: Joseph Wellington

Grade two teacher at Iris Gelly Primary School Sharnette Thompson-Coburn shares with the group as grade five student Lacania Powell (left), grade four student Kaillie Brown (third right), Rainforest Caribbean Business Development Manager Ben Jardim (second right), and grade five student Lemar Dunbar listen intently.

Rainforest Caribbean Director of Corporate Affairs and Strategic Partnerships Roger Lyn imparts wisdom to the students of Iris Gelly Primary.

Rainforest Caribbean Marketing Manager Denise Byfield Dixon opens the third day of ApplaudIt! at the Rainforestconference room.

Rainforest Caribbean Business Development Manager Ben Jardim shows Iris Gelly Primary grade five student Lemar Dunbar the menu.

Rainforest Caribbean Business Development Manager Ben Jardim takes a selfie with the students of Iris Gelly Primary after their Applaud It! session.

Rainforest Caribbean Director of Corporate Affairs and Strategic Partnerships Roger Lyn (second right) poses with Iris Gelly Primary grade six teacher Rudo Campbell (left), grade two teacher Sharnette Thompson-Coburn (second left) and vice principal Sybil Videl Whyne.

Rainforest Caribbean Business Development Manager Ben Jardim (backrow) and Jamaica Observer Senior Associate Editor Lifestyle & Social Content Novia McDonald-Whyte (backrow) poses with the students of Iris Gelly Primary after a great Applaud It! session.

Chef Kara Pessoa explains the entree, parmesan cruster snapper to Iris Gelly Primary grade six student Nevon Gordon (left), grade five student Da-Mari Hamilton (centre) and grade six student Athaliah Dixon.

Parmesan crusted snapper with jasmine rice and sauteed market vegetables.

The interactive session taking place in the conference room at Rainforest Caribbean.

Iris Gelly Primary grade twoteacher Sharnette Thompson-Coburn demonstrates to grade five student Lacancia Powell how to cut into her snapper dish.

Rainforest Caribbean Group Corporate Communications Manager Bethany Young shows Iris Gelly Primary grade two student Kimoiyah Perrier student how to use her knife and fork to cut her snapper.

Jamaica Obsever Senior Associate Editor Lifestyle & Social Content Novia McDonald-Whyte assisted Iris Gelly Primary grade six student Gabrielle Garnett with her knife and fork skills.