Nutri-Serve by Metz Introduces Benny’s Bengal Bites at Barnegat High School

Metz Culinary Management, in partnership with its affiliate Nutri-

Serve, is proud to announce the successful launch of Benny’s Bengal Bites, a new café at

Barnegat High School (BHS) in Barnegat Township, NJ, that is redefining the student dining

experience while providing valuable career-focused learning opportunities.

Located in the school’s media center, Benny’s Bengal Bites was designed to reflect the inviting,

upscale atmosphere of a café found in a bookstore, offering an elevated menu alongside

selections from the main cafeteria. Students and faculty can enjoy specialty pastries, premium

coffee, salads, paninis, and other fresh, made-to-order options, making it a welcoming space for

dining, conversation, and collaboration.

Beyond its culinary offerings, Benny’s Bengal Bites is a hands-on training ground for students,

serving as an extension of BHS’s Career Learning Awareness and Workplace Skills program.

Students actively manage food and service operations, gaining experience in customer

engagement, food preparation, and retail transactions. The café also plays a key role in BHS’s

workplace transition program for special needs students, helping them develop practical skills

essential for future employment.

Students Prepare Cookies for Sale

“This café is more than just a dining option; it’s a steppingstone for students to gain real-world experience in a supportive environment,” said Tina Nelson, Nutri-Serve’s Food Service Director

at Barnegat High School. “Students are involved in everything from running the cash register to restocking supplies, preparing them for future job opportunities in hospitality and beyond.”

Benny’s Bengal Bites has already had a significant impact. Since opening in November 2024, the café has helped increase daily breakfast participation at BHS by nearly 50%, while also

boosting à la carte sales by an average of $300 per day. Faculty and guests also frequent the café, adding to its dynamic presence within the school community.

In addition to food service training, students in Barnegat’s retail store program, Clawmart, can now sell branded merchandise at Benny’s, further expanding their mercantile skills. A portion of

proceeds from select menu items, such as a featured cookie of the month, directly benefits

student programs.

The Benny’s Bengal Bites concept came out of the district’s work-based learning program. Nutri-Serve began collaborating on the realization of the concept soon after acquiring the contract to

manage food service for the Barnegat Township School District. As the program continues to

grow, the café is expected to serve as a model for other schools seeking to blend education,

workforce readiness, and high-quality food service.