Intro: The Proud of Them initiative recognises the positive achievements of young persons aged between 10 – 25 years. Through a public nomination process, individuals are honoured in the categories of Academics, Careers, Business, Sports, Culture or Community Service. Each person selected will be featured for six months at a time on billboards established across the Cayman Islands, and will also receive a certificate and $500. Below is a recipient from the third round of the nominations.   

Bethany Ebanks (Academics)

The local hospitality industry can look forward to great things from Proud of Them honouree Bethany Ebanks. A scholar and dedicated hospitality worker, Bethany’s skills in the kitchen, classroom and workplace have already earned her accolades, and will serve her well for years to come.

International Hospitality Management is Bethany’s area of concentration. Currently studying at the University of Surrey, she also excelled while on a recent internship at the Soho Hotel in London.

Bethany is a food writer for the Surrey Scholar, an independent student publication. Her articles range from recipes to reviews of food-related events. She has also served as an academic representative for her university, and part of the International Exchange Buddy Scheme for students from around the world.

She has also served as Secretary of the University of Surrey Food and Wine Society, which exposes students to the finest examples of hospitality, and broadens their experience and knowledge.

In 2012, based on her high academic performance, she was one of two scholars selected for a six-month student exchange at the prestigious Hong Kong Polytechnic University School of Hotel and Tourism Management.

The 20-something works full-time while pursuing her studies. As her Surrey tutor noted, she is a conscientious student who has “great capacity for managing a heavy workload; with proven capability in undertaking research and delivering academically-sound work”.

Her culinary career path began after the John Gray High School graduate was selected as a Ministry of Tourism Scholar. After completing the Cayman Islands Tourism Apprentice Training Programme, she went on to attend the renowned Culinary Institute of America.

There, she graduated with an associate degree in occupational studies – specialising in baking and pastry. Her dedication to her craft led her fellow students to select Bethany to deliver the students’ address at their graduation.

While she considers herself “humble and determined”, she embraces her function as a role-model to others in the hospitality industry. “I am very thankful for the motivation, which I learned from my family,” she stated.

Called “cheerful, caring, competitive, ambitious, determined and dependable”, Bethany’s success in her chosen vocation seems all but assured.