In an effort to boost the service standards at the Carnegie School of Home Economics the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has refurbished the school’s kitchen at a cost of US$20,000.

In a press release USAID said the donation was made through the Guyana Trade and Investment Service (GTIS) project to help to enhance the culinary skills within the country’s hospitality industry and to provide more extensive training to chefs and cooks studying at the school.

The equipment included two large, aluminium refrigerators, one industrial-sized freezer, two fryers, two tiled sinks, seven work tables and a large quantity and variety of cooking utensils.

In addition to refurbishing the kitchen USAID/GTIS also helped the school to draft the first phase of a new business plan that is intended to strengthen the institution.

The proposed plan seeks to improve the school’s curriculum so that it is more in tune with the needs of the hospitality industry. After the Ministry of Education has reviewed the document USAID/GTIS will then determine how much more assistance is needed to increase the capacity of the school.

The release said the project was also done in partnership with the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce. The GTIS is a joint project between the government and USAID.