By Paul Suplee, MBA, CEC, PC-3

I lay back in an Adirondack chair on the Lido Deck of the Cape May-Lewes Ferry, an ice-cold cocktail in hand. I believe it’s the Lido Deck, as that’s what the sign at the bar says. A “Love Boat” aficionado from my youth, it brings me solace knowing that the old days have been recounted, if not just in some small way.

The salt air blows against my peaked skin, the trademark of towheads the world over. I know that I will burn, as the sun is shining brightly and intensely in the early summer sky as we cross the bay en route to Lewes. But I have lived a life of burning in the sun, notably in tropical and sub-tropical arenas. I just know to pace myself. Still, it’s making me hungry.

I am returning from a short jaunt to pick up new equipment on the Jersey Shore, a truly delightful place as long as you don’t think about silly reality shows. It is stunning today, and my body welcomes the sunshine and the warming winds. The waves are sizable but at a long enough interval to cause the vessel to sway gently but noticeably from side to side, lulling me to sleep.

Of course, the screaming little heathens running around and falling all over the place are making sure to keep us all up. Where are their parents? Did none of them listen to the captain’s announcement to “not let your little bastards run around and scream and ruin everyone else’s passage on this lovely day?” It is a different age, to be sure. Alas, sleep is for the dead and weary, and I am neither. I have the energy of a healthy, albeit aging, sloth so I do not need to sleep anymore, or even nap.

I’ve never been a napper, even as a child. I guess that makes sense, as my four kids, now mostly grown, never napped a day in their toddler years. It wasn’t until their teenage years that napping became a thing, which translated into needing defibrillators to get them out of bed on school days.

But if I yelled “Snow Day!” They would all be down the stairs dressed and ready to make snowmen and terrorize the mailman with an onslaught of snowballs. But on any other day…

No, I will not be able to sleep on this passage, and that is quite alright. I spend my time watching the other passengers, getting up occasionally to watch the dolphins dancing around the hull, as the ferry makes its way and otherwise appreciating this beautiful little treasure that we have here on the Shore.

It has been a couple years since I have taken the ferry, the last time being for a food show in Atlantic City with my girlfriend. While we could easily drive around, that adds an extra hundred miles or so on the Jersey Turnpike and let’s face it, this is much more enjoyable.

Gearing up for what will be a busy and understaffed summer, I spend the time reflecting on my stellar crews at both restaurants and the team that we have built. It brings me pride to know that such a group exists. Yes, it was definitely worth the trip on this little tug boat so I could gather my thoughts instead of worrying about being run down by 18-wheelers on I-95.

Back on land, I make the short trip to see some friends and we go out for a bite to eat. It is not very long before we realize the dire nature of our industry. The first two restaurants that we go to are closed: one for one day per week and the second on Mondays and Tuesdays. They don’t have the staff.

This saddens me, especially in our little “make our money in a hundred days” world down here. Staffing has become the number one concern at the beach, and even some of the busiest and largest restaurants and bars are taking a day or two off, so that the employees who are there can get their time. We are in uncharted waters.

If you cannot tell, my mind jumps from one topic to the next, as though I have A.D.D. or something like it. Of course I do. It is a daily struggle to stay on topic and I simply have to redirect myself in order to get things accomplished.

Ok Self, redirect: Summer day, sunshine, no highway, no napping, screaming heathens, snow days… I believe a sloth was in there somewhere, cocktail, my crew, sunburn, dolphins, Lido Deck, salad. Salad?  Excuse me?

Well, it’s only natural that after all of these cerebral pushups, that I would be hungry. And I can’t wait to get a salad, but not just any salad — truly one of the summer classics.

Watermelon-Feta Salad

Serves 6

1 Med. watermelon

1 red onion, julienne

12 oz. Feta (a pound if you’re like me)

2 oz. Sicilian Lemon Balsamic (you can find this at Una Bella Salute in Berlin)

2 oz. light olive oil blend

1/4 c. Shredded mint and/or basil

Sea salt

Cracked black pepper

1. Dice the watermelon in large chunks and crumble the feta. Set aside.

2. Make a simple dressing by combining everything else .

3. Make your salad and serve, preferable with a bright sparkling mineral water or a South African high-mineral Sauvignon Blanc.

—Paul Suplee is a Professor of Culinary Arts
at Wor-Wic Community College and owner of boxcar40.
Visit him at www.boxcar40.com.