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QUINTESSENTIAL – FOOD & BEVERAGE APPAREL

NCF SUPPORTS LOCAL CHEF TREVON STOUTE

Kitchen, restaurant and bar staff all around the world can now enjoy new, stylish looks thanks to Quintessential by T. Stoute, a line of Food and Beverage apparel, designed by renowned local chef, Trevon Stoute.

Quintessential was funded in part by a National Cultural Foundation grant, and is the apparel partner for the Barbados Food & Rum Festival. The brand has been officially launched this month to coincide with the festival.

Actually, chefs participating in the final upcoming events of the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc (BTMI’s) Food & Rum Festival will be wearing the Quintessental brand.

“I am ecstatic and super, super, happy for the opportunity to have the entire Food & Rum team fully drapped in the apparel. It is an absolutely blessing. The response has been huge. People love what they have been seeing. They love the fit. I am honoured to see the Food & Rum Festival posters plastered on the highway with the chefs in gear my company designed,” the 28-year-old said.

Stoute was also in high praise for the funding and other support provided by the NCF.

“Special thank you to the NCF. The project was a tough undertaking from the get go. It was a very expensive project and the NCF did lend a hand with the grant and I appreciate that. Any help is a big help. The process was a tedious one but it was tedious for a reason. The NCF grant process ensured that I was well-organised and had all my ducks in a row which is good for anyone starting a new business,” he stated.

“Quintessental was born out of a desire to revolutionise apparel in the Food and Beverage industry”, the chef explained.

“Due to the demanding nature of our work, we have been forced to prioritise function over fashion. But our job is about more than flipping pasta or pouring a glass of wine; we create an immersive dining experience, and I believe that we deserve to be a part of that experience as well, starting with the way we present ourselves,” owner and founder said.

Stoute has been one of the major players in Barbados’ culinary scene for several years, representing the island around the world as a culinary ambassador, and has received a number of titles, including Barbados’ Chef of the Year, a Taste of the Caribbean award-winner, and the Hans Schenk Commemorative Awardee.

It is this expertise and experience he has brought to Quintessential, where the pieces have been designed with important elements like water and stain repellence, breathable fabrics, and added features for increased airflow and improved fit.

“Quintessential proves that fashion and function can comfortably coexist. It means the world to me that I’ve been able to design pieces that function like well-oiled machines in the kitchen, while maintaining a superior level of elegance and style the moment you step out of the kitchen.”

Stoute added: “Ultimately, I want our food & beverage teams to feel good about themselves. I want the heart and soul we put into our work to be reflected in the way we present ourselves while on the job.”

The Quintessential line currently includes chef’s coats, mixologist jackets, servers’ shirts and aprons, and is currently offered online with worldwide shipping available. (PR)

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Ecumenical Service For Legal Year 2024-2025 Next Monday

The Ecumenical Service to mark the commencement of the Legal Year 2024-2025 will be held at the Cathedral Church of St. Michael & All Angels, St. Michael’s Row, The City, on Monday, September 16, beginning at 9:00 a.m.

Justices of Appeal, Judges of the High Court, Masters of the High Court, Magistrates, and Legal Practitioners are expected to be in attendance.

Jurors and other members of the public are encouraged to attend the service and to be seated by 8:30 a.m.

Meanwhile, the public is also advised that the High Court and the Magistrates’ Courts will sit at 1:00 p.m., on September 16. (PR/GIS)

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NCSA Celebrates Campers at Project S.O.F.T. Camp Graduation

The National Council on Substance Abuse (NCSA) proudly hosted the graduation ceremony of its 22^nd annual Project S.O.F.T. (Safeguarding Our Future Today) camp on Saturday September 7^th, 2024, celebrating over 40 new graduates. This transformative programme, which aims to prepare young people transitioning from primary to secondary school, continues to be a vital part of NCSA’s commitment to substance abuse prevention and youth development.

Chairman of the NCSA, Mr. Hadford Howell in his address, praised both the camp staff and participants for their hard work and dedication. He emphasized that while the programme’s name might imply softness, the work required is anything but soft. He remarked, “There is nothing SOFT about this long-standing and commendable NCSA programme. The work put in by camp staff and the children is HARD but rewarding.”

Since its inception in 2002, Project S.O.F.T. has impacted the lives of over 700 young people and their families in Barbados. In this year’s camp, participants engaged in drug education, team-building exercises, and life skills development, all designed to help them navigate the new challenges they will face in secondary school.

In his inspiring message to the graduates, the Chairman likened them to pearls—precious and valuable, offering advice using the acronym “PEARL” encouraging them to resist Peer Pressure, to draw on their families Experiences, to be Ambitious, to be Responsible and to Listen, Learn, Lead and Love as they move forward in life.

The NCSA continues to play a significant role in shaping young lives through Project S.O.F.T., and the organization looks forward to seeing the future success of its graduates. “Who knows,” the chairman added, “perhaps in a few years, you will come back to help us by being a counsellor at a Project S.O.F.T. camp.” (PR)

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CHILDREN TREATED TO A DAY OF FUN

Some of the children receiving their back to school goody bags from BNOCL CEO, James Browne and Tradewind Tankers represented, Mikel Juan Panek

Over 300 children in Barbados enjoyed a day of fun and excitement at the recent Back-to-School Giveaway sponsored by Tradewind Tankers and the Barbados National Oil Company (BNOCL). The free event featured a variety of activities as well as free school supplies, food and drinks,

Tradewind Tankers, a shipping firm that operates and owns a diverse fleet of oil/chemical tankers and dry bulk carriers is a vendor of BNOCL, was eager to give back to the Barbadian community in a meaningful way. The company’s involvement in the Back-to-School Giveaway was a testament to its commitment to corporate social responsibility.

“We were thrilled to be a part of this wonderful event,” said Mikel Panek from Tradewind Tankers. “It was an opportunity for us to make a positive impact on the lives of young people in Barbados.”

Samantha Hazlewood-Ermay, Marketing & Public Relations Officer at BNOCL, expressed her satisfaction with the event’s success. “The Back-to-School Giveaway was a wonderful experience for everyone involved,” she said. “The children were overjoyed to receive school supplies and enjoy the festivities, and we were delighted to be able to support local small businesses as well.”

BNOCL and Tradewind Tankers are already looking forward to hosting a similar event next year, providing even more opportunities for Barbadian children to benefit from their generosity. (PR)