On November 9, the boardroom of the Jamaica Observer Media Group’s Beechwood Avenue headquarters was the venue for the launch of the Jamaica Observer Applaud It! series, where table etiquette took centre stage alongside spirited dialogue. Designed to foster personal and professional development, the initiative, now in its 13th year, brings industry leaders and students together over a formal meal to observe social and dining etiquette.

Chef Jacqui Tyson walked guests through the five-course menu.(Photo: Karl Mclarty)

Seizing this opportunity were 20 students from Tivoli Gardens High School, along with their teachers. The facilitators were led by Applaud It! conceptualiser Novia McDonald-Whyte, Jamaica Observer Media Group Managing Director Dominic Beaubrun, Deputy Managing Director Natalie Chin-Samuda and Advertising Manager Kayann Williams. Also in attendance was Brand Manager, Print & Digital Taina Daley-Greenland. The five-course sensory experience was catered by multi-award winning Chef Jacqui Tyson.

As guests took their seats, McDonald-Whyte welcomed the gathering, imploring the students to embrace the opportunity and to fully immerse themselves in the experience.

At the close of lunch, Tivoli Gardens High School 10th- and 11th-grade students and their teachers joined (from fifth left) Jamaica Observer Media Group Brand Manager, Print & Digital Taina Daley-Greenland; Advertising Manager Kayann Williams; Applaud It! conceptualiser Novia McDonald-Whyte; Managing Director Dominic Beaubrun; and Deputy Managing Director Natalie Chin-Samuda for the ceremonial cutting of a cake by Sugar Junkie…(Photo: Karl Mclarty)

Delivering opening remarks, Beaubrun noted that he was also eager to learn from the students’ unique perspectives.

…before celebrating the launch of the 13th annual Applaud It! series with a hearty round of applause.(Photo: Karl Mclarty)

“One of the things I’ve had the ability to learn while here, is etiquette, and how we in fact approach the way which we consume food, how we interact, how we navigate the silverware in front of us,” Beaubrun said. “I look forward to engaging with you and know your stories, because every person’s life is a story waiting to be told.”

McDonald-Whyte kicked off the interactive session before the first course was served, demonstrating the proper way to hold stemware as the students enjoyed their pineapple lychee spritzers.

Tucking into the main course were Jamaica Observer Media Group Brand Manager — Print & Digital Taina Daley-Greenland (second left); and Tivoli Gardens High School students (from left) Tamala Garwood, Faith Griffiths, and Andre Lawrence. (Photo: Karl Mclarty)

“The whole idea is for you to meet a member of the C-suite, a president, a CEO, a managing director of a company. While AI can answer all of your questions, AI has not mastered the soft skills. And when you’re all competing for the same opportunity, the question of your competitive advantage will be front and centre,” McDonald-Whyte noted.

Tivoli Gardens High School student Faith Griffiths savoured the palate cleanser of chilled watermelon with fresh lime and mint.(Photo: Karl Mclarty)

Those soft skills were immediately put to the test, starting with a practical demonstration on how to enter a room demonstrated by fifth-form students Deandria Lewis and Jordan McDonald; and sit at the dining table, demonstrated by fifth-form student Daniel Dennis and fourth-form student Ayanna Nelson.

It was now time for Chef Tyson to introduce the five-course menu, starting with a rich red and gungo peas soup finished with a touch of coconut cream. Before indulging in the starter, the students were instructed on the finer points of napkin etiquette. They were also taught how to properly break, butter, and eat their dinner rolls, guided on how to eat their soup and reminded to navigate their cutlery from the outside in.

Tivoli Gardens High School students (from left) Faith Griffiths, Jordan McDonald and Shanique Smith took on the singing challenge set by The Burgerman Show host Wesley “Burgerman” Burger and Jamaica Observer Media Group Managing Director Dominic Beaubrun at the Edge 105 FM studios. Their peer Ayanna Nelson was also in studio cheering them on. (Photo: Karl Mclarty)

The second course featured a savoury vegetable lo mein paired with deboned oxtail, setting up the next etiquette lesson: Mastering the optional art of twirling using a fork and spoon. The students enthusiastically embraced the challenge, eager to perfect their skills.

Tivoli Gardens High School student Jordan McDonald received a basket of goodies and a cash prize from Applaud It! conceptualiser Novia McDonald-Whyte after winning the singing competition during a visit to Edge 105 FM’s The Burgerman Show.(Photo: Karl Mclarty)

Ahead of the entrée, conversation intensified over the refreshing palate cleanser of chilled watermelon cubes as the students introduced themselves and shared their career aspirations.

Protect the tie! Applaud It! conceptualiser Novia McDonald-Whyte shows Tivoli Gardens High School student Jordan McDonald how it’s done.(Photo: Karl Mclarty)

The main course followed: A chicken breast roulade served with sides of potato, sweet plantain, and colourful bouquet of seasonal vegetables. As the students refined their dining technique, conversation continued this time with a focus on how they could forge positive change for their communities. Of note, fifth-form student Shenoya Bryan expressed her ambition to attain financial stability to establish a basic school in her community, providing children with the critical early education they need.

The meal ended on a sweet note with a Blue Mountain strawberry melba. The students and teachers then gathered with the Jamaica Observer team to cut a cake, courtesy of Sugar Junkie Ja. The experience continued at Edge 105.FM on The Burgerman Show where fifth-form students Jordan McDonald, Faith Griffiths and Shanique Smith showcased their singing talents for spot prizes. McDonald took top honours securing both a cash prize and a gift basket.

The Main Affair: An elegantly presented roulade of chicken breast, resting against a delicate medley of potato and sweet plantain, accompanied by a colourful bouquet of seasoned vegetables.(Photo: Karl Mclarty)grader Kemoy Sterling praised the practical etiquette training, highlighting how the skills he learnt will positively impact his journey beyond high school.

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“This experience opened my eyes to what lies ahead after I complete high school,” Sterling said.

Applaud It! continues today at Rainforest Caribbean with students from Iris Gelly Primary School.

The five-course menu set the tone for an afternoon of fine dining. (Photo: Karl Mclarty)

Photos: Karl Mclarty