Featured Blog Posts – April 2010 Archive (37)

Non-Operator FOHcus: FohChat

When I first joined FohBoh, I almost immediately began to feel an expanded sense of awareness as a food server. I would spend a few minutes on site each day, reading content, posting blogs of my own, and interacting with all of you. I would almost always leave FohBoh with some new piece of understanding or insight, something that enhanced my experience tableside. Networking in such an industry-specific…

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Added by FohBoh on April 29, 2010 at 11:30pm — 2 Comments

Social Media Foodie: Would the Real Farmers Please Stand Up?

Farmers markets, a welcoming oasis especially for city dwellers, gives us that sense of connectedness to other people and more importantly to our food. When I worked in Washington, D.C. I lived near Eastern Market, which every weekend would showcase an amazingly diverse and abundant array of fresh fruits, vegetables, cheeses, seafood, and more.

I don't ever remember questioning the authenticity of who produced the food - or even if they produced… Continue

Added by Josh Hersh on April 29, 2010 at 8:00am — 7 Comments

Non-Operator Betting On (Not Against!) The American Dream

Franchising, at its heart, is a bet on the American Dream. Interestingly, and perhaps uniquely among such bets, both parties are betting on the same outcome. As promised some weeks ago, we’ll begin exploring franchising in this column, and over the coming weeks, while also continuing to cover some of the relevant issues and details of bankruptcy, which has become so…

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Added by Rod Guinn on April 29, 2010 at 3:30am — 1 Comment

Operator - Chef How to Meet the Dinning Requirements for a Raw Foodist

There are many types of patrons these days, I mean many types of diets that patrons are following. I have personally experimented with many diets over the years. One of my favorite diets happens to be the raw food diet. Raw foodists are probably onre of the hardest patrons to take care of with a well thought out meal. Most vegans are happy with mushrooms, rice and some other vegetable. But now try to take care of vegan without cooking any of the food.

A raw foodist will typically not… Continue

Added by Marcus Guiliano on April 27, 2010 at 8:37pm — 9 Comments

Our Business -- Your Business

Most of you don't know me, but I hope to get to know as many of you as I can. I'd like to introduce myself--my name is Richard Heaps. I've been President and Chief Operating Officer of FohBoh (officially) since February 1, 2010 and an adviser to Michael and the team since the founding of the company. And let me…

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Added by Richard Heaps on April 27, 2010 at 8:30pm — 4 Comments

Non-Operator Petulant Patron Meets Plainclothes Police

Book Chapter: Customer Hall of Shame

Where are the cops when you need them? I’ve asked myself that question several times over the years, especially witnessing cars racing by me on the highway, dangerously weaving in and out of traffic. Well, the cops were exactly where Anthony Caturano, chef-owner of Prezza wanted them on Friday night.

I had a chance to sit…

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Added by Patrick Maguire on April 27, 2010 at 1:00pm — 2 Comments

DAWG Talk: Career Utopia

For many years, I’ve asked a very simple question while conducting every interview. The question: What is your career utopia?”

Sure I’ve had to define the term for a candidate here and there. But, more importantly, I’ve tried to encourage candidates to think about their… Continue

Added by David Rose on April 25, 2010 at 6:00pm — 2 Comments

Believe in a better "Life Style"

For those of you in the industry at the higher levels that get to go home on Friday afternoon and not return until Monday, think about the people that make that possible. Think about what it was like when you were one of those people. Then think about how you can make it better, that is if you believe it has to get better.

If you don't think it has to get better you are working in a blind spot. The restaurant world is a "life style". Its nights, weekends, and holidays. While…

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Added by Michael Minichello on April 24, 2010 at 6:48am — 2 Comments

Non-Operator Doldrums in the Drive Through

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhWpfX4uGr0

What's wrong with this video? Other than the fact that some may think I'm being a little sneaky... Some might say nothing's wrong. What's the big deal? I went through the drive through, got what I wanted in a

relatively short period of time and I was on my way.

I'm just not okay with that! As consumers we have grown to expect this type of…

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Added by Bill Campion on April 23, 2010 at 2:46pm — 6 Comments

Social Media Foodie: Claim Your Restaurant on Foursquare

Foursquare recently made some updates to make it easier than ever to claim your business and to get started with your first Foursquare special.

If you already have a venue created, there should be text under your contact information that says "Are you the manager of this business"? Simply click on that link and it will take you to an easy, three-step process.…

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Added by Josh Hersh on April 22, 2010 at 8:05am — 5 Comments

Non-Operator More Thoughts on Nutrition in Schools

A few weeks ago I blogged about changing the way kids view healthy foods by introducing nutritious foods in schools. A lot of you agreed and made some great comments about different ways that schools can teach…

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Added by Alyson Mar, RD on April 22, 2010 at 5:00am — 2 Comments

Restaurants With Ears: Listen To Your Customers!

In working with my main restaurant client, the highlight has been interacting with customers and responding to each and every individual. Whether positive, negative, or off-the wall, this is what it takes to build a loyal community.

It is time consuming to build a loyal following say on Twitter or Facebook, but the payoff will be worth it in the end. Here are 5 tips to get you started.

1. Find Your Voice:…

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Added by Josh Hersh on April 21, 2010 at 10:41am — No Comments

Block and Tackle

Every day in the restaurant we are surrounded by chances to throw the long ball….change something about our menu, our service, our décor or ambiance, something that will make an overwhelming impact on the future of our business. Call it a magic pill that will solve our most overwhelming problems or struggles in…

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Added by Andy Swingley on April 19, 2010 at 7:05pm — 2 Comments

Support Staff

Working in the restaurant/bar industry you develop close friendships with your co-workers. You spend so much time with these people they can even become like a family to you. Recently we lost one of our co-workers in a very sudden tragedy. He was a wonderful guy and took care of so many things at our place that it will truly never be the same without him.Our restaurant/bar is a "everybody knows your name" kind of place so our cutomers are also heartbroken by this loss.

The support that has… Continue

Added by Samantha Keen on April 19, 2010 at 1:45am — No Comments

Non-Operator The Power of Connectivity

I had the most amazing experience recently – I did a keynote presentation at Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers Operational Development Meeting. It was a fantastic meeting; trust me when I tell you the Caniac Nation is alive and well. For me, it was like a homecoming back to the place I began part of my journey…

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Added by Kathleen Wood on April 19, 2010 at 12:00am — 6 Comments

Non-Operator Video: How To Use All 5 Senses When Sampling Guinness

Who knew that all 5 senses were used when sampling the black stuff? Well there’s always been more to Guinness than just a drink. It’s all about the story, the history, the folklore and the legend.

It’s hard to know what to believe when you hear about Guinness sometimes, but when touring the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin yesterday, this particular part of the story stood out to me! It’s all about using the 5 senses when sampling your pint of Guinness.

Watch the video… Continue

Added by Barry Chandler on April 16, 2010 at 8:23pm — 1 Comment

Reed Publishing shutting down Restaurants & Institutions, Chain Leader Magazines & Foodservice Equipment & Supplies, among others

Reprinted from :

Sorry to hear that Reed was unable to find qualified buyers for Restaurants & Institutions, Chain Leader, Foodservice Equipment & Supplies trade publications. The reality is, the publishing business, particularly trade publishing in all industries has changed.

Business magazine…

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Added by Michael L. Atkinson on April 16, 2010 at 5:02pm — 1 Comment

Non-Operator A Car Buying Experience Worth Blogging About!

I just purchased a used car, eh hem, I mean a pre-owned vehicle. Usually

I break out in hives when it’s time to purchase a vehicle however this

time it was different. I must preface this by mentioning that I tried to

buy a vehicle for 3 days at another dealership and they couldn’t put

together a deal that would entice me. That wasn’t the case at Glenn Auto

Mall.

It started with me surfing the net and realizing that Glenn had some

awesome… Continue

Added by Bill Campion on April 16, 2010 at 5:00pm — No Comments

Non-Operator Four Generations, One Restaurant = Challenge and Opportunity for Restaurant Managers and Executives

For the first time in the history of the US restaurant industry, four distinctly different employee generations are working side by side. This is true in independent restaurants as well as national and international chains. Each of the four employee generations—Gen Y, Generation X, Baby Boomers, and Matures—is guided by their own set of beliefs and values, preferences and priorities. Sometimes these differences work well together (think: Trivial Pursuit teams) and sometimes they simply… Continue

Added by Jason Ryan Dorsey on April 16, 2010 at 4:00am — 5 Comments

Service Staff & Cell Phone Use While Working-What does it say to the Customer?

I don't mean to offend some members of FOHBOH with this topic; but, I undoubtably will.

Cell phone use, texting, and Social Media use on cell phones is very popular these days. We, ourselves, have become part of the "Media" in this age of information & communication. But I have to ask this, with the hopes of getting your true opinions: Is cell phone use (for calls, texting, Social Media) appropriate in the view of the customer in FOH? My personal opinion is NO. Now, before…

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Added by CeCe on April 15, 2010 at 12:42pm — 8 Comments