Photo by NICK SCHNEEMAN The Virgin Islands Hotel and Tourism Association donates $2,000 to the Ralph Wheatley Skill Center Culinary Program in conjunction with an equipment donation by The Ritz-Carlton St. Thomas.

The Virgin Islands Hotel and Tourism Association has donated $2,000 to the V.I. Career and Technical Institute's Culinary Program in conjunction with a donation of equipment by The Ritz-Carlton St. Thomas.

The equipment will include a stove, shelving, speed racks, and numerous other kitchen basics. Chef Leslie Gumbs, who runs the culinary program said the equipment and money is much appreciated.

"It gives us the firepower we need in the kitchen," Gumbs said. "It is going to ensure that our returning students can continue with their education."

The students are taking part in a two year culinary program that is split into four quarters a year. The first two quarters consist of classroom work and culinary basics. In the third quarter the students begin hands-on work in the kitchen, and for those students who joined the program when its inaugural class began in December, the new equipment has arrived just in time.

"School reopens in August for their third semester," Gumbs said. "They will be starting with their practical application then."

Cheryl Searcy, the Ritz's director of Human Resources, said that they were happy to be able to help the program.

"It's important because we are losing resources," Searcy said. "A lot of the kids are going to the states for their training. By having it right here on island we can recruit right from home and provide them with opportunities to gain work experience. It's a win-win situation."

The Ritz recently renovated their kitchen facilities and had an overwhelming amount of equipment to offer the program.

V.I. Hotel and Tourism Association office manager Canika Jones said the organization was pleased to help the institute.

"The Hotel Association has several community outreach programs," Jones said. "We recognize that this program is up and coming and we wanted to lend them a helping hand."

- Contact Nick Schneeman at 774-8772 ext. 377 or e-mail nschneeman@dailynews.vi