H.O.S.T. Trainees Raise A Toast With Minister Watts At Their Final Practical

Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs, the Honourable Phillip Watts, joined trainees of the Ministry’s Hospitality Operations and Service Training (H.O.S.T.) programme on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, for a skills practicum and open house at the COSTATT City Campus, Port of Spain. The event gave participants from the programme’s third and fourth cohorts the opportunity to demonstrate their workplace readiness by hosting specially invited guests at a simulated restaurant and dining experience.

Minister Watts observed the trainees in service and interacted with participants and facilitators throughout the event. Addressing the trainees, he said, “Hospitality is about more than serving a meal. It is about professionalism, attention to detail and making every guest feel valued. These young people have shown that they understand this, and they have made themselves, their families and this programme proud.”

From folding napkins and setting tables to presenting plates and serving guests, every aspect of the dining experience was executed by the participants. Under the watchful eye of moderators and hospitality instructor Mr. Richard Carrington, the trainees were assessed not only on their technical ability, but also on their professional demeanour, and were responsible for closing duties at the end of service.