A Café with a Mission: Empowering Individuals with Autism in Florida

When Brian and Jennifer Wilson shuttered the celebrated Duke’s Lazy Loggerhead Café in Carlin Park a few years ago, they didn’t know what would come next. After dedicating 25 years to running one of Palm Beach County’s most iconic beachside eateries, the classically trained chefs felt ready for a break. This chapter in their lives was marked by uncertainty, as they contemplated their next steps.

However, about six months later, an unexpected opportunity arose when a staff member with Els for Autism, a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving people with autism, approached the couple. The staff member asked if they would consider helping to open the first restaurant on the Els for Autism campus off Limestone Creek Road. Without hesitation, the Juno Beach couple agreed, recognizing a chance to make a difference while returning to their passion for food.

In November 2023, they successfully opened the Big Easy Café, with Jennifer taking on the role of general manager and Brian serving as the senior line cook. “The timing was really just perfect,” said Jennifer Wilson, 53. “Not only are we doing what we love, but we’re doing something that’s making a real change.” This new venture provided them with a renewed sense of purpose and excitement.

The Big Easy Café in Jupiter is not just a restaurant; it offers vital training to students from Els for Autism, teaching them essential skills for a future in the food industry. As the couple serves frittatas, Greek salads, smoothies, sandwiches, soups, and baked goods to patrons, they also train the adult students on how to work in a restaurant. This dual mission is at the heart of their operations, making the café a place of learning and growth.

Brian Wilson, 55, expressed his fulfillment with this new direction. “You can see the hope this brings to parents,” he noted. “Like, ‘This is something maybe my kid could do!’ It’s nice to be part of something like that.” This sentiment rings true for many families, as the café fosters an environment where individuals on the autism spectrum can thrive and gain confidence in their abilities.

One of the students benefiting from this initiative is 20-year-old Harryson Mauge, who washes dishes at the café five days a week while also participating in programs offered by Els for Autism. “We’re teaching Harryson how to get done with a list of tasks,” Jennifer explained. “When he finishes it, I watch him smile with dimples on his face. It’s lovely to help guide someone through that.” These small victories illustrate the profound impact the café has on its students and their families.

The café has garnered support from the community, including former Duke’s Lazy Loggerhead Café regulars. One notable supporter is golf legend Ernie Els, the founder of the foundation. “Having the Big Easy Café by Ernie Els inside the building, where adults are learning essential skills to work in the food industry, is incredible,” wrote Els in a prepared statement. “I enjoy grabbing a bite to eat and watching them continue to thrive.” This endorsement highlights the importance of the café as a supportive space for individuals with autism.

Although the Big Easy Café is not open to the public at this time, plans are in the works to offer delivery services to its Limestone Creek neighbors. The staff is currently raising funds to purchase a small electric vehicle for this purpose, allowing them to extend their reach and serve more members of the community.

The café operates with a unique approach that prioritizes creating a calm and supportive atmosphere for its guests. “To make money in the restaurant business, it’s all about volume, repeat business and more,” Brian explained. “Here, it’s about less. It’s a slower pace.” This change in focus has allowed them to cultivate an environment conducive to learning and acceptance.

Most of the food at Big Easy Café adheres to what some refer to as the autistic diet: low-sugar meals, gluten-free, and dairy-free. Jennifer emphasizes the importance of this dietary approach in supporting the health and well-being of their guests. Additionally, the café incorporates elements designed to aid individuals on the spectrum, such as playing soft instrumental jazz over the speakers and displaying videos of sea creatures on a large TV in the center of the restaurant. The eating area is filled with natural light, which helps prevent overstimulation, creating a comfortable dining experience.

Vasi Salig, who works as a cook at the café, shares how this initiative has positively affected her son with autism. “I love being here, and it’s not like work for me,” Salig said. “This gets the students used to a restaurant atmosphere and ordering food, and it’s a nice place to meet people.” Her passion for the café and its mission shines through, highlighting the community-building aspect of the venture.

More than a decade ago, Salig moved to Palm Beach Gardens from South Africa with her husband and two sons, both of whom have autism, to seek better educational opportunities for them. She expresses no regrets about her decision, as the quality education her sons are receiving is invaluable. One son participates in the adult services offered by Els for Autism, while the other is a recent graduate of Florida Atlantic University. This success story exemplifies the transformative power of the services provided in their community.

Running the café has given the Wilsons a chance to live out their motto: “Everybody wants to feel accepted.” “Seeing (the students) grow gives me this magic feeling in my heart,” Jennifer said. “I love my job and it’s never drudgery for me.” The joy they find in their work is evident, as they strive to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those around them.