All posts by Jennifer Welsh
Although the restaurant industry in the United States is struggling, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says that Americans eat and drink about one-third of their calories away from home. Other surveys show that more than half of the money spent on food goes to restaurants and convenient on-the-go meals — rather than to groceries cooked at home.
If your dream is to open a restaurant, chances are that the dream includes having the money to do so in style. Few people fantasize about starting a business on a shoestring budget or with limited funds; on the other hand, even fewer people are independently wealthy and able to fund a restaurant venture without financial assistance.
Sous vide (pronounced soo–veed) is a French term, meaning under vacuum. Somehow, way under the radar, the sous vide culinary technique, which entails vacuum-sealed food that is immersed in a water bath and cooked at an exact and consistent temperature, has exploded and become the food of the hour. If you don’t prepare sous vide meat, for instance, you’re just not keeping up with the times.
Al Fresco dining conjures up images of warm sunshine, cool breezes, and green scenery. Not all of this is necessarily relevant to all restaurants that decide to introduce Al Fresco dining, but it does have its allure and it is worthwhile exploring why it might be right for your restaurant. Yes, it might mean working with weather fluctuations, noise pollution, and even city regulations,
Honey – that sweet, sticky foodstuff that people either love or hate – is really a miracle food; one of nature’s wonders. Most of us know that bees have “something to do” with making honey but – really – it is a remarkable story that results in the sweet, amber-colored substance that is both delicious and healthy.
The question of whether your restaurant needs a liquor license is a simple one: If you plan to sell alcohol, your restaurant needs a liquor license. The sale of alcohol can boost restaurant revenues, because liquor and beer have great profit margins and low labor cost (it’s a lot easier and faster to prepare a martini than coq au vin).
Pomegranates are among the healthiest fruits on earth. Pomegranates, with their gorgeous ruby-red color, are beautiful to behold, and the shiny red “jewels” inside, called arils, contain sweet juicy nectar surrounding a white seed in the middle. Despite some popular opinions, pomegranate seeds can be eaten – and they are good for you, too!
Although it is natural to put a tremendous amount of thought into the interior design of your restaurant’s dining area, it is equally important to invest in the design of the kitchen. A well-designed kitchen can have a positive effect on your staff; on the food preparation; and on the end results.