The “restaurant family meal” is a central event in many well-run restaurants. Just before the dinner rush front of house and back of house staff gather to enjoy a well-cooked meal prepared by the chef. The family meal is a great way to foster positive interaction and a feeling of …
Read More »Christmas Ain’t What It Used To Be – But Learn How Your Restaurant Can Make More Than It Should
Without a doubt, company Christmas parties aren’t what they used to be. The days of opulent parties stacked one after the other are clearly behind us. On the other hand, there’s definitely some opportunity for restaurateurs looking for a little extra Christmas income. That’s because companies want to show some …
Read More »Are You Ready For Flu Season?
Personally, if I never hear another story about H1N1 (swine) flu again, I’ll die a happy man. Unfortunately, the grim reality is everyone is going to have to take steps to combat the spread of flu this winter, and restaurants are no exception. Organizations like the National Restaurant Association are …
Read More »Restaurant Management: Use Creative Compensation Strategies
As if you didn’t have enough on your plate trying to keep your restaurant’s head above water this year, some in the food service industry are starting to talk more and more about changing some basic assumptions about employee compensation. The traditional model has been to pay your kitchen by …
Read More »The Struggle Between Art and Efficiency
Great Lakes pizza, on Chicago’s north side, has been getting A LOT of press lately. The tiny pizzeria has only been around for a little over a year, but in that time the reputation of owners Nick Lessins and Lydia Esparza has catapulted Great Lakes into one of the hottest …
Read More »California & Vermont Restaurants: Are You Compliant?
If you’re in the food service industry in either California or Vermont, then this blog post is for you. New legislation in these two states changes the kind of faucets and pipe fittings that can be installed in restaurants and commercial kitchens starting early next year. California Assembly Bill 1953 …
Read More »Menu Trends: Ruby Red Hibiscus Flavors
Hibiscus, the beautiful tropical flower, is now making its way into cocktails, teas, and desserts in some of the trendiest urban restaurants. The taste is described as both fruity and floral, with a tartness not unlike lemon. From the perspective of presentation, hibiscus flavored drinks and desserts turn an appealing …
Read More »Restaurant Management: No Training Budget? Spend Nothing But Time And Succeed
According to a new study by the Council of Hotel And Restaurant Trainers (CHART), 53% of the restaurants surveyed had cut back on their employee training budgets. Only 19% increased their budget, with the rest remaining the same. The study covered a wide variety of restaurants, from small independents to …
Read More »Healthy Menu? Don’t Tell Your Customers
Ask anyone sitting on their couch around dinnertime if they want a healthy pizza, and you’ll probably get a lukewarm response. Not that people don’t want to eat healthier. Study after study has shown that consumers, when asked when they aren’t actively ordering food at a restaurant, want healthy menu …
Read More »Extreme Mixology: Inhaling Vaportinis
Mixology is a hot trend in food service. More and more bars and restaurants are investing in exotic flavors and unique blends to make cocktails that draw customers in and tantalize their taste buds. There are even professional “mixologists” who dedicate their time to the art of developing the next …
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