August 2009 Blog Posts (88)

Non-Operator Quiz: International Dining Etiquette

A friend sent me this.
Just something corny and simple to relax with.
What do you know about international dining etiquette?
(You might have to copy-paste the link to your browser.)
Enjoy!
Paul

International Dining Etiquette
http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.fekids.com%2Fimg%2Fkln2Fflash2FDontGrossOutTheWorld.swf&h=b8c9df715cb8a8d6c348572845751dd1

Added by Paul Paz on August 31, 2009 at 10:54pm — No Comments

Operator Can't Get on The Food Network? Insuring Your 15 Minutes (plus) of Fame on YouTube

Here’s an interesting statistic that I was recently made aware of. According to the Marketing guru for Tasty Bite, Lisa Dominish; “YouTube is the leader in online video and the premier destination to watch and share original videos worldwide through a Web experience”.

• 71.3M people visit per month

• Teens and young adult 12-34

• Male

• Less affluent

• Not College educated

Alright, so the final three out of those five stats didn’t jazz me either and it’s… Continue

Added by Ty Sullivan on August 31, 2009 at 6:14pm — No Comments

"Increase your profit potential"

Hey there folks! My name is Ray and I'm new comer to this sight. I find it very intertesting that in these times we in this industry must look for new ways to improve and maximize our profit potential. I pose a question for all Restaurant and bar owners and managers, What do you feel you could do to maximize your profit potential and increase your walk in business?

Added by Ray Diaz on August 31, 2009 at 3:27pm — 1 Comment

Non-Operator Popeye's v. Burger King Sales Results: Is Less More?

Last week, we got the Q4 and full year earnings of Burger King (BKC) and on August 20th, the Q2 earnings of Popeye’s (AFCE). Burger King reported disappointing sales comparables—US/Canada down 4.5%, while AFCE was one of the very rare chain restaurant universe gainers—up 4.3%.

We were intrigued as to why such a large sales performance difference.

Neither chain reported comparables components-traffic and average check, and check sub components, price and mix. AFCE said… Continue

Added by John A. Gordon on August 31, 2009 at 9:53am — No Comments

Doing the "right" thing (and getting fired for it)

Operating a business is challenging. I've managed software companies and restaurants and there was never a shortage of difficult decisions to make. I want to share a story about a choice I made, how it cost me my job, and how I was rewarded for it.

I was managing a restaurant near Rockefeller Center in New York City many years ago. It was the first week of December and business was crazy (as it always is that time of year). The owner came in to visit and dropped a bombshell on me. He… Continue

Added by Jeff Schacher on August 31, 2009 at 8:14am — 5 Comments

The Customer is Always, Well, The Customer

The customer is always ~~Right~~.

Well, maybe not always, but how about at least treating them as such.

I would first like to apologize to the Fohboh Community for disappearing for the last three or four weeks. My mother had been diagnosed with liver and pancreatic cancer a few months ago and rather quickly regressed from a fairly healthy senior, to a hostice patient, to her eventual death the week before last.

She was not only my mother but my best… Continue

Added by Bill Baumgartner on August 30, 2009 at 7:57pm — 9 Comments

Just 'waiting' to be asked: Part One

I often hear waiters say restaurant work is far removed from how they view themselves professionally. Most of them are trying to make a living, and have plans of some day landing a "real job."

Some were once employed in other professions, and now feel that they have lost a certain measure of their worth. Almost all are disenchanted, and often complain and grumble their way through the night. They are literally 'waiting' until something better comes along.

Now, restaurant… Continue

Added by Michael Biesemeyer on August 30, 2009 at 3:28pm — 5 Comments

Back to School Time Already? Or does it just appear that way?

Well, probably not.

Usually, at this time of year, parents are rejoicing and the kids are wondering how the summer passed by so quickly. You've probably loaded up on backpacks, notebooks and a whole new wardrobe for the kids, glad to send them off to learn something more than X Box skills.

While most of the country goes back to school right after Labor Day, down here in Florida the kids went back this week with most returning to classes this past Tuesday. The private… Continue

Added by Steve Paterson on August 29, 2009 at 7:16pm — 16 Comments

Non-Operator New FohBoh Avatar

Add this avatar to your Share and Find me here Here buttons.

Added by FohBoh on August 29, 2009 at 8:24am — 1 Comment

Non-Operator Western Restaurant Show-San Diego

We are exhibiting at the Western Restaurant Show in San Diego beginning Sunday, August 30th. Hope to see you there. I think it's booth 1000.

Cheers!

Added by FohBoh on August 29, 2009 at 8:22am — No Comments

Have a heart Chef Ramsey

I just watched the video of Chef Gordon Ramsey on Jimmy Kimmel Show earlier this week chatting about puffins, you know the cute little birds (see photo). Ramsey was sky fishing in Iceland on his British TV show, The F Word and was filmed catching the puffins and eating it's freshly killed raw heart.

Read the whole story and watch video at Dining… Continue

Added by Dara Bunjon on August 29, 2009 at 6:59am — No Comments

Dan Aykroyd is coming – who you gonna to call?

Ghostbuster, Blues Brother, Saturday Night Live’s Dan Aykroyd is coming to Baltimore on Friday, September 11th to Cranbrook Liquors to promote his Crystal Head Vodka. Entrepreneural Aykroyd, whose interest in the spirit world is both literal and figurative, with his Dan Aykroyd Wines, Patron Tequila, and his Crystal Head Vodka as well as his interest in the supernatural, will be meeting the public and signing bottles of his vodka from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Get the full story,… Continue

Added by Dara Bunjon on August 29, 2009 at 6:57am — No Comments

Non-Operator "No More Trapper Keepers... Favorites from the School Supply Lists"

(Note to my FohBoh friends and colleagues : I had some family issues last week and was off the radar, therefore, no column. Finally getting caught up).

I have been out of college almost 25 years, and out of high school, almost 30. However, each year at this time, I always try to look at school supply

lists. I have always loved school and office supplies.

One item that always intrigues me is : "NO TRAPPER KEEPERS." (reminds me of the line in "Mommie Dearest" 'No… Continue

Added by Keith Bernhardt on August 28, 2009 at 1:30pm — 2 Comments

Milk Supply is Changing

The chart of the week is the monthly milk production change compared to the prior year. As one can tell from the chart, it’s been a long time since we have experienced a decline in milk output. How long? How about sixty months or five years! It’s been a great run for milk production but the trend is almost certainly coming to an end. Milk production during June and July were only up fractionally from the previous year and that is due in a large part to relatively cool weather relieving stress… Continue

Added by David Maloni on August 28, 2009 at 8:05am — 6 Comments

DIY Training Videos for the FOH

Restaurants have the ability to create their own custom web video to train and motivate employees. There is no reason to invest in expensive, polished, and highly staged video production companies to produce this much needed content.

There are video cameras on the market that cost less than $300, shoot in high definition, and plug directly into a computer's USB port. Get creative, be resourceful, and tap into your staff's innate connection to media making… Continue

Added by Michael Biesemeyer on August 27, 2009 at 11:58pm — 7 Comments

It doesn’t have to be work!

We all have to have a career…how we define our career is what sets us apart and makes us either happy or, well, not so happy.

A career is needed to provide an income

A career is needed and frankly it is healthy, provides direction and organization

A career is one of the places where we meet others and expand our network

A career doesn’t have to be bad and it doesn’t have to be defined by someone else, it can be defined by you.

You need an Ultimate… Continue

Added by Andy Swingley on August 26, 2009 at 7:17pm — 5 Comments

Non-Operator The Symphony and The Ballet

It's truly a night at the arts.

Susan Holaday and I share the same corner of the planet. It was a delight to read her post about L’ Espalier, an incredible Boston dining experience.

"The Symphony......" made me think of the ballet that takes place in the back of the house during every service.

Imagine for a moment that we are in such… Continue

Added by Paul Green on August 26, 2009 at 1:35pm — 1 Comment

Stop waiting. Start serving.

I stopped calling myself a waiter about a year ago. It's changed the way I see myself, in all areas of my life. I now refer to myself as a server, and it is opening my eyes.

Titles are powerful.

I work with waiters, though. They stand around waiting until their first tables arrive, and then count the hours until their shift ends. They wait for their guests to order; they don't have any personal insights into the menu. They wait to be told about the… Continue

Added by Michael Biesemeyer on August 26, 2009 at 12:08pm — 11 Comments

Here's to you fat America - KFC's Double Down Sandwich

This is enough to test anyone’s cholesterol meds. After the big launch of their grilled chicken offering healthy alternatives, KFC has created the Double Down sandwich for those with a death wish.

Read the whole story at the Dining… Continue

Added by Dara Bunjon on August 26, 2009 at 7:58am — 2 Comments

The gospel according to Tony

For my birthday, I got a copy of Anthony Bourdain's Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly, and I've been laughing my way hysterically through each chapter.

If you aren't familiar with Anthony Bourdain, in addition to being a well-known author, he's also host of Travel Channel's culinary and… Continue

Added by Dani on August 26, 2009 at 5:35am — No Comments