FIFTEEN YOUNG MEN and women have successfully made a move from neighbourhood blocks to trainees at PomMarine Hotel.

The group, part of Project Oasis' Food Preparation and Presentation programme, has been in training for about two months at the culinary training institution, equipping themselves with new skills and recognising talents which they never knew they had.

On Thursday, the young people prepared dinner for officials from the Ministry of Education, Youth Affairs and Sports, including Minister Reginald Farley, at the PomMarine Hotel.

Farley commended the work of the young people saying that all the critics of the project and the "boys on the block" would now be forced to "eat their words and your food".

He described the meal as sumptuous and encouraged the young people to remain steadfast in their quest to make a turnaround in their lives.

"No one can define you for you. No one can define your future. You have to be willing to try. You have tried in this programme and you have succeeded and this is the confidence, the reality that you need to face," said Farley.

The training still has a few more weeks to go and the participants so enjoyed it that they would like to go further.

That was an area which the minister said he would try to work on.

Farley told those gathered, including some hotel guests, that the $2 million given to Project Oasis in the last Budget was helping to transform many lives and high rates of return were being seen.

Director of Youth Affairs Richard Carter congratulated the young people on their progress.

The youngsters said they were keen on the programme and wanted to do more. They expressed gratitude at being given the opportunity to become more than just 'boys on
the block'.

Their behaviour and performance of the various task greatly impressed course instructor Lindell Williams, and executive chef/senior lecturer in culinary arts Carl Rice.

Williams told the SUNDAY SUN the food preparation course was new to all of the students but they tried hard over the last few weeks.

Rice said he expected negative behaviour, given the stories about "boys on the block" but the reality was just the opposite.

"I am terribly impressed with this group, they are very enthusiastic. The part I liked most was their obedience. I expected rude behaviour, but they are very disciplined," he said.

The last component of the course will deal with dessert and pastry preparation.