For the past three months local restaurant Bettencourt’s has been using tips from its customers to offer meals to a section of Guyana’s frontline workers as a sign of gratitude for their efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to General Manager John Reman, the “Feed Our Frontliners” project has so far provided breakfast and lunch for 120 health workers at the Georgetown Public Hospital on two occasions.
Reman explained that today, on the occasion of Emancipation Day, the project will be extended to the ‘A’ Division of the Guyana Police Force and specifically the Brickdam Police Station.
“We are providing in excess of 260 meals as a sign of ours and our customer’s gratitude,” he shared.
The entire meal program has been funded by monies donated via a donation box at their location or through their Facebook page.
Additionally, with Guyanese facing a socially distanced Emancipation Day, Bettencourt’s is offering a scaled down version of the food bazaar which is normally held at the National Park.
Reman noted that while the service will primarily be take-away there will be a “mini-exhibition” of all the available dishes in their outdoor dining space.
It is a celebration of food, he stressed, explaining that local creole dishes will appear alongside dishes from Ghana.
“There is red peas cook-up and red red [Ghanaian peas stew], there is foo-foo and there is banku [a similar dish made with ferment corn],” Reman shared.
Persons can either call in an order or visit the exhibition and then choose to mix and match as many as six dishes at a cost of $2000. A single meal will cost $1,200.
The full menu includes local dishes, such as red peas cook-up, callaloo cook-up with salt beef, fresh beef and chicken, foo-foo, beef and oxtail pepper-pot, metemgee, and split-peas soup with cow-heel and beef. The Ghanaian dishes available include banku, red red, ochro stew, smoked fish, and cow-face stew.
The ubiquitous desserts, such as fat top, cassava pone, pumpkin pone, and conkie, will also be there.
Reman assured that all social distancing measures would be adhered to, with floor markers for 6-ft distancing and wash station provided. Those who plan on visiting are reminded to wear their masks.
Interested persons can call 225-1008, 668-2777 or visit the 22 D’Urban Street, Wortmanville, location.
