Lauren's Blog (11)

The dip in the economy is 2009 made way for a lot of changes in our economy, but most notably in the service industry. Retail and wholesale numbers tanked the further we got into summer and then slowly saw a bit of improvement the closer we got to 2010. Now that we’ve entered a new decade however, trends are going to change in the foodservice industry. Here are just a few things to prepare for.



Appealing to the Health Nuts

Obviously around new years every year… Continue

I just wanted to share these resources with all of you. Hopefully they help in one way or another!



Restaurants Adjusting to the Digital Age



Food Cost Tips & Strategies…



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It's natural that we want to reach for that candy bar or bag of chips every now and then. The question is how often is "now and then" for you? Your scale and full length mirror should give you a clue, but getting a full physical is an even better way to find out just how healthy you are.



Before making that trip to doctor, you may want to take a look at these steps first.



When to Eat

For years experts have argued about healthy eating schedules and practices. Do… Continue

Get Your Employees Pumped Up

...or at least give them caffeine. A lot of us get perturbed that we have to stop at Starbucks and pay obscene amounts of money for a cup of coffee. Not only does it force us to get off of the freeway and wait in line, but if you calculate the costs over a year it can come out to approximately $618 minimum per year. Buy a coffee machine that accommodates the size of your company. Got about 40-60 employees? There are plenty of… Continue

Most of us take the easy route when it comes to bringing a cake to the party; you either pick one up at the nearest grocery store or you make a plain-Jane one at home.



Whether you're an avid baker or not, you can make cake decorating way more fun, especially if you get your friends or kids involved.



Baking at Home?

A lot of people believe that it's impossible to make a gorgeous cake without any schooling or numerous hours invested. Not true. Adding something as… Continue

Most people don't realize it, but a lot of money can be made in the concessions business. The main reason is that usually the food costs are low and the prices charged are a little high.



Some individuals and families have made the concessions business their full-time job, but it is something that you can decide to do on the weekends for a little extra cash. So is the business for you?



Know Your State and/or City Regulations

I can't stress this enough. Every… Continue

According to Chris Crum of WebProNews, organic advertisements get 3.5 more hits than paid advertisements. The most obvious answer to this phenomena is that consumers seem to trust qualified professionals when looking for answers to their questions rather than clicking on paid advertisements that could lead them to something they aren't really looking for. Secondly, a lot of paid advertisements require some sort of subscription in order to… Continue

It's a well-known fact that everyone gets stressed out before the holidays. We have to prepare for family coming into town, shopping for and preparing obscene amounts of food, and then preparing ourselves for the guilt that comes after eating so much.



Unfortunately, I can't help you with the guilt, but hopefully I can help to put you at ease with other issues that arise during the holidays. As in any situation, make a plan.



Time Management is Key

Being the host… Continue

There are many of us out there that pride ourselves on our amazing cooking skills. Sometimes you watch cooking shows and think, "Well heck, I can do that." There are ways to put those skills to use and make some great money, and catering is the way to go.



The common misconception is that culinary school is necessary. 50% of the time this is true, but only because these individuals plan on catering on a much larger scale than most beginners should even consider.



1. Figure… Continue

Let's face it, 95% of us are no Sara Moulton or Emeril Lagasse, but it would be nice to learn a thing or two. There are plenty of routes you can take to becoming a master chef, or at least a master chef in your home, and you just need to know which route to take.



1. Ask your family, or your friends that you entertain for, what their key food interests are. From there, you can modify your arsenal or recipes.

2. Take notes when watching cooking shows. Even if the recipe doesn't… Continue

Whether it has been your lifelong dream to open a restaurant or you decided after retirement that you wanted a "hobby," you probably have some idea about what you need to get started. First you need the funds, then you need the venue, then you begin stocking your restaurant with the essentials. Then you realize you need more funds.

Things suddenly come to a halt because you didn't realize how expensive all of this could be.… Continue