Café Hope Gretna Louisiana

Program

Weeks 1 – 4   Seeds to Success

The first four weeks of the program are focused on teaching the soft skills that students need to thrive in the workplace. During this period the students are learning how to sharpen skills such as  communications, conflict resolution, appreciation, anger management, team work and goal setting. A significant amount of time is spent addressing the holistic needs of each student by offering lectures and videos on spirituality, financial literacy, healthy eating, horticulture and dressing for success. Students also take two field trips including one dedicated to the service of others.

Weeks 5 – 10   Back of the House Internship

The back of the house internship portion of the program begins in their professional kitchen. Here students are able to work at every station in the kitchen under the guidance of one of our three chefs, who have a combined 35 years of experience in the restaurant industry. Emphasis is placed on teaching the skills that are necessary to work in a professional kitchen such as knife skills, product identification, plating skills, cleanliness, equipment safety, equipment care and general kitchen etiquette. Gaining experience with “real life” pressure will serve the students well in their future endeavors.

Weeks 11 – 16    Front of the House Internship

Once in the dining room, the focus becomes the soft skills of human interaction. For many of these students communication has been something that has held them back. This final portion of the program ensures that communications will no longer hold them back. (We could tell that our waiter was quite shy. But he was charming and made every effort to make us feel welcome!)

During this last portion of the program the students also learn dining room etiquette as well as the skills necessary to operate a point of sale system. Resumes are finalized, interview skills refined and the transition into self sustainability begins. 

Graduation

In preparation for graduation, the Café Hope Team provides assistance with job placement and makes the workplace advocate matches. The goal of the program is to have every graduate employed within six weeks of graduation!

Workplace Advocate program

At Café Hope they understand that the transition from school into employment can be very daunting, especially when it’s your first job. To help remove the stress and add another level of support, they have developed a Workplace Advocate program.  Workplace Advocates are community volunteers who agree to mentor and support one graduate for a one year period.

Café Hope Students

Students of Café Hope in Gretna, LA
Photo Credit: Website

When students graduate from Café Hope, they are dedicated, enthusiastic and hopeful. But most importantly they leave prepared for the next step, for life’s next challenge. They are excited to enter the workplace and they have been taught the skills to truly succeed.

Since 2010, 250 students have completed the program, with 72% of graduates placed in permanent employment. Their students have a 98% pass rate on ServSafe certification.

Café Hope, Gretna, Louisiana students are working in some of the best restaurants all around New Orleans such as The Besh Restaurant Group, Emeril’s Delmonico, The Ritz Carlton, Commander’s Palace and many, many more.

Seed-to-table menu

Café Hope’s delicious, nonprofit restaurant features locally-sourced, seed-to-table dishes made by Chef Garin Siekkinen, Chef Lennon Fitzgerald and Café Hope’s student chefs. It supports local farmers and uses fresh seafood from the Gulf of Mexico. As the only seed-to-table restaurant on New Orleans’ Westbank, Café Hope has created a 1.2-acre community garden that provides almost 60% of the produce that is used in the restaurant’s dishes each day. With support from Café Hope staff and volunteers, the garden continues to grow and provide the restaurant with high quality, healthy produce.

Our yummy lunch

My Crab Cake Sliders and Fries

Veggie Lasagna

Steve’s Café Hope Burger and Fries

By now I’m pretty sure you want to hear what we ate at this fabulous establishment. Our friend Laurie and I had the Crab Cake Sliders which were made with Higgins crabmeat and topped with jalapeno  remoulade coleslaw and a side of perfectly cooked hand cut fries. John had the very delicious Veggie Lasagna which was loaded with creamed spinach, artichokes, red peppers, marinara and mozzarella. His portion was enormous! Steve thoroughly enjoyed his Café Hope Burger, a half pound Angus beef burger which was anointed  with Bacon jam, sharp cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomato and BBQ aioli. His lunch also came with a side of those crispy, well seasoned hand cut fries.

The beautiful view from the dining room and patio at Café Hope

Now that I have made you hungry, be sure to go there for a good meal and a good deed when ever you are in the New Orleans area! Since it’s located at a country club with a golf course, the view is beautiful. And they are opened for brunch, lunch, dinner and pool side dining.