HLSCC to Discontinue Operations at Fort Burt Restaurant”

 H. Lavity Stoutt Community College will no longer be conducting operations at the Fort Burt Hotel Restaurant with effect from Monday, January 7, 2008.

In January 2006, the College began using the restaurant as a culinary training facility as part of its partnership with the New England Culinary Institute in what became known as the NECI at HLSCC programme.

“We take this opportunity to thank our loyal patrons who have supported us with their custom over the years,” said President of the College Dr. Michael O’Neal.

“We also wish to record our gratitude to the owners of Fort Burt Hotel, Mr. and Mrs. Roosevelt Smith, for having afforded us the opportunity to fulfill our dual goals of providing a quality culinary education for our students while serving the public in an appealing and well-managed environment,” he said.

In 2001, HLSCC partnered with the New England Culinary Institute (NECI), recognised as one of the finest cooking and restaurant management schools in the world, in a programme to train professional chefs. A two-year programme evolved, leading to an Associate Degree in Occupational Studies in Culinary Arts.

With the HLSCC/NECI partnership approaching its final stages, Dr. O’Neal said the College is taking steps to create a newly focused and revitalised programme for the hospitality and culinary sectors. He said the first step was taken in November 2006, when the College hosted an open forum for hoteliers and restaurant owners to gather information to help design the programme.

“Our aim was to obtain input from operators in these sectors with a view to gathering the kind of information we need to craft a programme that will cater to their medium and long term needs,” said Dr. O’Neal.

He said the College was able to obtain vital information to move forward with the development of its new hospitality and culinary programme.

Meanwhile, the College will be continuing its operations at the Road Town Bakery on Main Street and at the Paraquita Bay Cafeteria.