Hilton Aruba Caribbean Resort & Casino invited its team members to participate in the official Mi Compromiso, the Aruba certification program, given by the Aruba Excellence Foundation, designed to make those working in the island’s hospitality sector into true Aruban ambassadors having reached exceptional knowledge of the island, paired with a commitment to provide best service to visitors, with Zjeito.

Mi Compromiso cu Aruba, meaning my commitment or promise to Aruba, is a government sponsored educational program targeting all persons working in tourism.

The program enhances participants’ knowledge of the island’s tourist product, with a focus on excellence in service and the sustainability of the island’s environment.

Designed by the Ministry of Tourism, it is an investment in people, improving the level of professionalism and upgrading knowledge of the island.

Hilton Aruba Caribbean Resort & Casino hosted a number of rounds of the certification program, scheduling many employees. Together they explored the most important chapters of Aruba’s history and the development of the tourism industry.

They also reviewed natural resources, culture, attractions, service standards, and awareness of their own personal development, along with the official program curriculum which included Tourism, Sustainability, History of Aruba, Excellent Service, Excellent Communication and Winning Attitude.

Most importantly, the program revived an old Papiamento concept Zjeito, the secret of Aruba’s cordiality and friendliness. Together, the forum explored the deep meaning of the local Zjeito, and its manifestation in the island’s way of life and how it is transmitted to visitors.

Pictured here, the happy graduates smiling with Zjeito, and showing off their certificates of course completion.

View more information on Hilton Aruba Caribbean Resort & Casino. 

Article written by Hilton Aruba Caribbean Resort & Casino

Hilton Aruba Caribbean Resort & Casino celebrated its 60^th anniversary last month, and launched a “60 days of celebration� campaign, highlighting the resort’s deep roots within the Aruban hospitality, history and culture.

The second in the series of Sunset Grille wine dinners on September 13^th, 2019, showcases the steakhouse’s elevated cuisine in collaboration with a top-tier local wine supplier.

The four-course pairing dinner guided by Divino’s sommelier packs extra star power. The menu for the evening was created by French-trained Executive Chef Matt Boland, and French-born Executive Sous-Chef Katia Soujol.

Katia, who hails from Provence, France, started cooking with her grandma in the countryside, then later followed her passion and graduated from the Culinary Institute in Nice.

From then on she garnered impressive accolades everywhere she went, from Master Chef of France, to Top French American Chef. Her nomad career took her to great Michelin restaurants in France, the UK, and Germany, and midway she joined Hilton in the USA, combining her career with teaching Culinaria at the Art Institute of California and Long Beach Community College.

Cooking in Hawaii, Vietnam, Cambodia, China and India, appearing in many magazines radio and TV shows, promoting her special recipes, and making guest cooking appearances surely prepared Katia for her role in Aruba, as Executive Sous-Chef at Hilton Aruba Caribbean Resort & Casino. And while she admits that she at first had no clue where the island was located on the map, when the offer came, she decided to bring her knowledge to Hilton Aruba and pass it on to the next generation of Culinarians.

On the menu, for the second in the series of Sunset Grille wine dinners:

Coconut and citrus tiradito with salmon rillettes, paired with Rodney Strong Charlotte’s Home Sauvignon Blanc 2017, as the appetizer.

Lobster Thermidor, paired with, Rodney Strong Chalk Hill Chardonnay 2016, as the seafood course.

Lamb loin with mushroom gastrique and blue cheese pan bollo, paired with Rodney Strong Russian River Pinot Noir 2015, as the main course, and warm chocolate and espresso cake paired with, Rodney Strong Symmetry 2014, for dessert.

The evening starts off with a welcome reception 6:30pm at Mira Solo Bar, and seating commences at 7:00pm in Sunset Grille, all at the reasonable $99 per person, in honor of the property’s 60^th anniversary as the first luxury hotel on the island.

About Rodney Strong Vineyards

A family-owned winery based in Healdsburg, California, founded in 1959 by wine pioneer and former dancer, Rodney Strong, the winery focuses solely on Sonoma County grape growing and wines. Rodney Strong Vineyards sources from throughout Sonoma County and has 14 estate vineyards.

More Sunset Grille Info

*Article written by Hilton Aruba Caribbean Resort & Casino

*Photos by Hilton Aruba Caribbean Resort & Casino

On July 31st, 2019, Santos Coffee with Soul and Basha Foundation hosted a poetry night in Aruba titled, ‘Dedicated to…‘.

Their open-mic event welcomed one and all from the Aruban community and visitors alike to perform their own interpretation for the event of the same-titled prompt.

Everyone was all smiles and very attentive when the poets took stage to perform their piece!

Santos was so pleased by the event that they shared the following caption on their Facebook page, along with some snapshots of the night:

“A week ago we had an amazing #poetrynight event at Santos Coffee with Soul. It was a night filled with great vibes, inspiration, beautiful people and overflowing talent!

Kudos to Basha Foundation this was an wonderful collaboration!

We also want to thank everyone for coming by!

Be pending of more events and memorable times at #santoscoffeewithsoul.”

Basha Foundation

Established back in 2016, Basha Foundation, focuses on collaboration with social, cultural and historical groups and associations, especially through the development and support of creative expressions via poetry and performance arts.

Santos Coffee with Soul

Santos is a quaint and Insta-worthy boutique coffee shop located next to Divi Aruba All Inclusive and across from The Shops at Alhambra specializing in fresh baked goods, caffeinated beverages, and specialty drinks. Furthermore, they have a tremendous happy hour deal where dollar priced drinks are switched for the local’s florin currency.

*Photos by Santos Coffee with Soul & Basha Foundation