Casa Bonita employees study a second language whereas restaurant renovations are underway

Twenty-nine Casa Bonita employees members acquired their language certifications throughout a ceremony at The Motion Middle in Lakewood Thursday. Staffers had been supplied English lessons to Spanish audio system and Spanish to English audio system over a 16-week, 32-class program.

This system was led by Dana Rodriguez, the manager chef employed to enhance the menu.

She is aware of how essential communication is in Mexican eating places. When she moved from Mexico to the US in 1998, she utilized to Casa Bonita however was instructed she lacked expertise.

“Clearly one of many first issues they requested, ‘Do you communicate English?’ I didn’t perceive all the things. So, I began as a dish washer,” Rodriguez stated. “Even being a dish washer, to have the ability to talk with the road cooks, with the chef…  You study ultimately. However you need to attempt actually exhausting.”

Rodriguez stated her English improved whereas she labored within the kitchen and talked to individuals. Plus she watched cartoons like South Park.

As we speak, the Colorado Restaurant Affiliation and Hispanic Restaurant Affiliation help metro Denver eating places find second language applications, making it a little bit simpler for employees to study.

“The factor is that not all people can afford to place 60 college students to pay for,” Rodriguez stated. “They put money into the workers to study now as a result of it’s a profit for everyone.”

Rodriguez stated Casa Bonita at all times employed employees who spoke Spanish as their first language. Alex Perez is a type of workers, who has labored on the restaurant for nearly 30 years. He got here to the US from Nicaragua within the Eighties. He took English lessons on the college in his dwelling nation and in San Francisco earlier than coming to Colorado. He noticed the newest program as a chance to enhance his English.

“I discovered extra about how you can use verbs. I feel I can study extra vocabulary, too. After which, extra apply in English,” Perez stated. “I attempt to have higher communication with my bosses, my coworkers, and mainly prospects. That’s what I do. I attempt to be higher.”

Beau Gentry has labored at Casa Bonita for 2 years. He joined the restaurant as one of many well-known cliff divers to achieve performing expertise. He stated this system has introduced employees collectively.

“There was a little bit little bit of disconnect,” Gentry stated, including that Spanish audio system weren’t at all times in a position to discuss to English audio system and vice versa. “However, now we’re all linked extra as a household.”

Casa Bonita’s reopening continues to be up within the air however within the meantime, those that accomplished this system will proceed studying their new language at numerous non-profits.

Casa Bonita first opened in Oklahoma Metropolis in 1968. Further places had been opened elsewhere in Oklahoma and in Arkansas earlier than coming to Lakewood. The restaurant grew to become recognized for its lavish leisure with cliff divers, magic reveals and a mariachi band.

The restaurant shot to the nationwide stage when it was featured on an episode of South Park. The Lakewood restaurant is the final location in operation. It virtually suffered the identical destiny when its house owners filed for Chapter 11 chapter final yr however South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone bought it for $3.1 million.