Atlantic City Air Show

This was our fifth year catering to the 177th Fighter Wing at the Atlantic City Air Show. Although the day is long, it is the best workday of the year! Each year seems to be better than the last. The show is never boring; no matter how many times you have seen it.

Although the show is technically one day, it is a three-day event for us. Ram’ Head Inn hosts a dinner for the volunteers & participants of the Air Show the Monday before. Sounds like a small thing, but the dinner is for approx. 400 guests. I suppose when there are 450,000 attendees, 400 volunteers are needed.

Tuesday evening, The Borgata hosts the kick-off dinner for all of the pilots, parachute jumpers, and other stars. This is always a great dinner, where we meet up with old friends from 177th Fighter Wing. Since Harry Knowles who is a former fighter pilot of World War II, this is an event where he can go back to his flying days and share war stories with the new pilots who gather around him like children during story time.

Wednesday is Show Day! Everyone starts loading onto the beach early, not that a bad seat exists. Ram’s Head Inn caters a few neighboring tents, in addition to having its own chalet where the members of 177th meet their friends & family to watch the show and grab lunch. Loading food and beverages for over 600 guests on a beach is always a challenge, but never one that defeats the staff who are eager to be apart of the show. This year, we were graciously donated 15 cases of IZZE to give out to our guests. The all-natural, sparkling juice was a huge hit! Thank You IZZE and Eileen for contributing!

By 10:30am, the show is ready to begin, the men of the Knowles Family arrive, Harry, Kurt, Wade, and Kurt Jr. This is one family outing that is never missed. After just one hour, it is understood why 450,000 people come out to see the show. The production of the air show is amazing! Planes are flying as high as 15,000 ft. and as low as 50 ft. over the beach. Some of the planes fly by at hurricane speeds. Performances and demonstrations by the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Navy, Air National Guard including the Golden Knights.

If you were unable to attend this year or have never seen the show in the past, you are definitely missing out. Mark off your calendars for the air show next August, don’t forget your sunscreen and aviators!

The Beginning...

Providing an atmosphere where fine-dining is highlighted with gourmet food is what our mission is, but our hearts and passions are in so many other areas of the hospitality industry. We love to talk with all of our guests and peers about all that we do; sharing recipes, traveling adventures, new trends, and just unique stories that make everyday different from the last. We can’t possibly speak to each and every person who walks in or calls (even though we try), so we are joining the “blogosphere” to publish our happenings for all to enjoy!

Knowles Restaurants is a family owned restaurant group in New Jersey. We have two restaurants in West Orange, The Manor & Highlawn Pavilion, as well as a Chateau and Conference Center, Pleasantdale Chateau. “Down the Shore” in Galloway is Ram’s Head Inn. Just few years ago, we stretched our wings just a bit more and joined forces with Marriot, which resulted in Residence Inn by Marriot at The Manor, an extended-Stay hotel just next door to The Manor.

The story of Knowles Restaurants starts with Harry & Doris Knowles. Once upon a time, the former fighter pilot fell in love with the daughter of a restaurant owner, where he worked and learned the tricks of the trade. In 1956, the two bought a three-room restaurant in West Orange, which has grown to become The Manor. 50 Years, six generations, and four properties later, the story of Harry & Doris Knowles continues…