Guests attending Bermuda College’s 50th-anniversary gala can look forward to more than just a celebration — they will experience the exceptional talent and creativity of the college’s culinary arts and hospitality students.

Culinary arts students will collaborate with chefs at the Hamilton Princess & Beach Club where the gala is being held, to prepare the evening’s starter course — a specially crafted soup designed for the occasion.

Meanwhile, students from the college’s bartending programme are developing a signature cocktail that will bring a unique and flavourful highlight to the evening.

Student chef Charlize Simms-James shared her excitement about participating, and said: “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience and I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to cook in one of Bermuda’s top hotels.”

Bermuda College’s culinary arts programme has been a cornerstone of the institution since its founding in 1974.

Students have the option to pursue either a diploma or an associate degree in culinary arts, with pathways to further study through partnerships with leading overseas universities.

The culinary arts student team is led by Teneika Eve, a proud Bermuda College alumna who continued her education at Johnson & Wales University in Providence, Rhode Island.

Dr Eve now serves as senior lecturer and chairwoman of the faculty association within the division of business, hospitality and technical education.

With more than two decades of teaching experience, she is passionate about mentoring the next generation of culinary talent.

Dr Eve said: “I love working with my students and serving my community.

“Food has been part of my story from the beginning — my mother and grandmother were my first teachers.”

Adding to the evening’s highlights, two current and two former students are working under the guidance of Bacardi’s Craig Smith and Vernon Pemberton to craft the gala’s signature cocktail — blending classroom learning with hands-on, industry-level experience.

The bartending course has been offered in its current format since 1985 through the Bermuda College extension programme.

The Gala will be held on Saturday and guests will also have the chance to win two business-class tickets, generously donated by BermudAir, in a special raffle during the evening.