Program Name: Hilton Caper Cafe
Nominator's Name: Dr. Harvey R. Allen
Title: Assistant Superintendent
Address: 687 Route 9
City/State/Zip: Cape May NJ 08204
Nominator's Telephone Number: 609-884-3475 x 222
Organization: Lower Cape May Regional
Address: 687 Route 9
City/State/Zip: Cape May NJ 08204
List of Community Partners: Hilton Casino
The nominated program focuses on the following grade level or area: High School
District:  Lower Cape May Regional
County: Cape May
Address: 687 Route 9
City/State/Zip: Cape May NJ 08204
District Superintendent: Dr. Richard Strauss
District Telephone Number: 609-884-3475
Date of Program Initiation: 1995

"The Caper Cafe helps students bridge the gap between the classroom and world of work. Students who participate will acquire the knowledge, skills, and attitudes for success in school, in the workplace and in life."   Dr. Ethel Lippman, Director Pupil Personnel, LCMR School District

"Students have come to realize that work and self reliance are essential both to individual fulfillment and human dignity."   Chef Ulrich Lohs, Executive Chef Atlantic City Hilton

In 1995, Lower Cape May Regional High School and the Atlantic City Hilton Casino formed a most exciting partnership. The Caper Cafe took shape in the minds of Mrs. Barbara Hoffman, Home Economics Teacher, Mr. James Ridgway, Business Education Teacher, and Mrs. Kathy Parker, Business Education Teacher. On August 27, 1995, Chef Ulrich Lohs, Executive Chef from the Atlantic City Hilton (formerly Bally's Grand Casino), hosted a Gala Buffet as a fundraiser for the project. Chef Lohs, along with seven additional chefs from other casinos, prepared numerous exotic dishes for a fee of $25.00. This wonderful affair brought $2500 as working capital for the student run restaurant.

When the Caper Cafe-Hilton partnership was established the primary goal was to give students an opportunity to apply what they had learned in their classes to real life experiences and subsequently prepare them for future employment in a tourist service rich environment. The program, through its design, naturally addresses the following Cross Content Workplace Readiness Standards:

• Students will develop career planning and workplace readiness skills
• Students will use critical thinking, decision making, and problem solving skills.
• Students will demonstrate self-management skills.
• Students will apply safety principles.

All Workplace Readiness Standards are very evident within the description of the program and its activities.

Now, four years later, the Caper Cafe is a thriving restaurant that has become a permanent fixture at Lower Cape May Regional High School. Two classes, Basic Food Prep taught by Mrs. Barbara Hoffman and Retail Merchandising taught by Mr. Jim Ridgway and Mrs. Kathy Parker, along with our partners at the A.G. Hilton, learn valuable employability skills and operate a self sufficient business. The excitement has spread--enrollment has doubled in both classes.

In the fall of each new year, students from both classes go to the casino for a tour and an orientation program. Students are introduced to different careers in both the front and back of the house, and to various employees with whom they will be working. Students return to the casino two to three times more that year to actually work in the restaurants and kitchens under the experienced staff. Lower Cape May Regional students have worked in the Coffee Shop, serving and kitchen prep; the main kitchen preparing for banquets; the Butcher Shop; the Bakery; in Garde-manger, preparing salads and bread baskets; and participating in Room Service. In addition to visiting the casino, the students communicate use distance learning equipment, acquired through Carl D. Perkin's funds, with the Chef. Topics have been: Job Interviewing, Use of Restaurant Equipment, Careers in the Casino, and menu preparations.

The practical part of this partnership leads to the Caper Cafe. In addition to the fund raising, the Hilton has donated a new refrigerator, a freezer, a hot truck, trays, dishes, glassware, flatware and linens which are currently being used in the Caper Cafe. Students in Retail Merchandising classes practice menu design, napkin folding, themes, table arrangement, sell tickets to teachers and staff, work as servers and bus the tables. Basic Foods students prepare the menu, cook the food, and clean up.

Several other departments are also consistently involved in this project. The Art Department was commissioned to paint a mural for the room and six additional art pieces were framed for hanging. Industrial Arts students have helped keep our tables and chairs in good shape. The Music Department has provided background music. The Desktop Publishing classes create the tickets and menus. Each year school involvement continues to grow.

The Caper Cafe luncheons usually begin in December and then on an average occur two to three times a month during the "block" periods. The Cafe has also catered award luncheons, Administrative luncheons, and various other school luncheon functions.

Students who have been involved have enjoyed many rewards from this partnership. The most important ones have come from Chef Lohs. Students are offered the opportunity for employment--full time and part time.

There has also been an increase in students attending colleges for Culinary Arts and Restaurant Management as well as many calls have been received from local restaurants in our community who are looking for employees training in food prep. The students can now graduate from high school with practical experience for summer jobs.

Mr. James Ridgway expressed his thoughts about the program in this way "The Business Department is experiencing constant growth through innovative revisions of curriculum as we aggressively tackle the new millennium and the preparation of our students." Mrs. Barbara Hoffman adds "The partnership with the Atlantic City Hilton has been a wonderful and exciting addition to my curriculum for the Basic Food Prep Class. Forming the partnership has elevated the class to a new level. Working with Chef Lohs and his staff has terrific experience for all."

Mrs. Kathy Parker sums up this partnership experience as saying "Working with the Hilton has enriched Lower Cape May Regional High School in many ways. Our students are better prepared, our curriculum is state of the art, and I believe this partnership has put our school on the cutting edge in Education."