SOME 13 women on the Essequibo Coast are now more skillful in the preparation of Indian sweetmeats and snacks. The women graduated on March 9 after completing the cooking course which lasted several weeks at the Johanna Cecilia Learning Resource Centre.
Teacher and coordinator of the centre, Ms. Parbittie Singh, who conducted the course, said the participants were taught to prepare gulaab jamoon, mettai, roat, barfi, fudge, faluda, doori, badam lacha, jilaaybi, gul gula, sirinie and snacks such as rekouch, kachowri, bigani, vege nuggets, vege roll and samosa.
According to Singh, each participant had to prepare and display the different Indian sweetmeats and snacks they were taught to make, and these were sampled by herself and several invited guests who all agreed that the preparations were skillfully done.
Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, Mr.  Steve Ninvalle, and Ms. Juliet Coonjah, Commissioner of Women and Gender Equality of the Women’s Progressive Organisation were among the special invitees who sampled the sweetmeats and snacks.
The Deputy PS congratulated the participants for successfully completing the course and noted that their new skills will enhance their life and empower them to earn an income.      
Ms. Coonjah congratulated the participants and reminded them that “the way to a man’s heart is through the stomach”.
Meanwhile, Chairman of the centre, Mr. Doodnauth Singh, thanked the participants for attending the course which was open to all.