9 answers
Gary
Student
Homer, New York
1
Question
Asked
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If you were to open a restaurantwhat would you want to be on the menu?
I would like to open a restaurant in maybe ten years and I would like to know people thoughts.
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9 answers
Amy Chase
Pastry chef
4
Answers
Warren, Pennsylvania
Updated
Amy’s Answer
Learn what is needed in the area you want to work in. If there are already ten pizza places maybe find something different to do. Create what is needed and desired. Talk to a lot of people in the area and find out what people would really love on that area and see if it is something you would love to be a part of as well
Juan-Carlos Valadez
R&D Chef
2
Answers
Chicago, Illinois
Updated
Juan-Carlos’s Answer
Depends on the type of establishment, concept, and guests. Short answer: 80-20 rule. 80% of your menu should be recognizable items for your customer base, with some twists and recreations. This is what will pay the bills. The other 20% can be for what your heart desires... unique items, fun artistry, taking risks, testing out new items, innovation, etc.
As for training, you can be successful with and without school. However, formal training from a great school is irreplaceable, like CIA. It's like a recruiter seeing Harvard on a resume. Work in all kinds of places and jobs with a history of succession. Exposure to a variety of food and experience will help you carve out your niche.
As for training, you can be successful with and without school. However, formal training from a great school is irreplaceable, like CIA. It's like a recruiter seeing Harvard on a resume. Work in all kinds of places and jobs with a history of succession. Exposure to a variety of food and experience will help you carve out your niche.
Matthew L. Tuck, J.D., M.B.A.
CEO/Managing Attorney, Greater Detroit Area
73
Answers
Lansing, Michigan
Updated
Matthew L.’s Answer
Hi Gary.
Great question,
If you are thinking about a career in the restaurant industry, there are a lot of options for you. If you like to cook, you can take the culinary school route and become a chef. New York has a number great culinary schools, including Escoffier and Culinary Institute of America. There are also many colleges that have great programs. Culinary school takes from a few months to 4 years, depending on your course of study. You learn about cooking techniques and, if you choose, the business side of restaurants. Visit some culinary schools. Talk to the teachers, students, staff and graduates.
Another approach to becoming a chef is to become an apprentice and get work in good restaurants. You will probably start by washing dishes and doing prep, but you can get an amazing education by working with world class chefs. This is also a great way to travel because you can work in restaurants all over the world. Famous chefs like Gordon Ramsey and Bobby Flay worked in a number of great restaurants before they became world-class chefs themselves. Learn all you can and you will eventually develop your own style.
If you are more interested in the business side of restaurants, you could great a degree in hospitality. In these programs, which can last from a few months to 4 years, you learn things like lodging, food and beverage, accounting, marketing, and inventory. Again, there are many wonderful programs at colleges and universities.
Another option many people choose is to buy a franchise. A franchise is a unique business model in which a company (the the franchisor) develops a restaurant concept that people like. Examples of this are McDonalds (the biggest), Five Guys, Domino’s, and Subway. Once the bugs are all worked out of the system, the franchisor sells local units to “franchisees” who own and run the restaurant (sometimes a lot of restaurants—Shaquille O’Neal owns 155 Five Guys restaurants) in exchange for a franchise fee and usually some monthly payments equivalent to a percentage of the business. In exchange the franchisee gets a proven concept, sales and marketing help, a turnkey system, recipes, training materials, and support from the franchisor. The theory is that the system is pretty close to perfect and all you have to do is follow the program. It works really well for many people, particularly business people. And you can own and run them without going to culinary school.
Another option many people follow is to just to begin working in the industry to see if they like it. Even working in a local pizza place {like I did) or a fast food place will tell you pretty quickly whether the industry is for you or not.
One thing to keep in mind is that the restaurant business has changed a lot just in the last few years. Covid really hit the business hard. When states shut down and forced everyone to stay home, obviously sit-restaurants were really hurt. I know in my town in Michigan, dozens of restaurants closed. And after the lockdowns, the horrible inflation drove food prices up drastically which also caused issues. People could not afford to eat out, or at least not as often. And a number of states have also enacted new minimum wage laws, raising the minimum wage to the point that many local restaurants and even chain restaurants cannot afford to stay in business.
I love food, cooking and making people happy so I really enjoyed my time in the food business. Your best bet is to get a job in the food service business and see if you like it. If you do, go to culinary school and learn to cook. I suggest you also eat at some great restaurants. Figure out what makes the place great. Is the food, the service, the atmosphere, the location? Get a notebook and take notes. Use that intel to start your own restaurant someday. But it is a hard business. It takes a lot of dedication to learn to be chef. You will work long hours on your feet. But if you love it, you can do it.
‘
To answer your actual question, I would open a burger joint with the best hamburgers ever made with all kinds of interesting options like ostrich, buffalo, kangaroo and musk ox. And a really good veggie burger, of course. It’s been so long since I’ve had a really great burger.
Good luck!
Learn all you can about cooking by reading books and going to good restaurants.
Visit culinary schools and colleges to find out if you like to cook. If school is not for you, start gettin jobs in good restaurants and learn from the best chefs around.
Get a job in a restaurant and see if it is what you like.
If you don’t like the cooking side, get a degree in business or hospitality, which will teach you the business side of owning and running a restaurant.
Above all, keep learning,
Great question,
If you are thinking about a career in the restaurant industry, there are a lot of options for you. If you like to cook, you can take the culinary school route and become a chef. New York has a number great culinary schools, including Escoffier and Culinary Institute of America. There are also many colleges that have great programs. Culinary school takes from a few months to 4 years, depending on your course of study. You learn about cooking techniques and, if you choose, the business side of restaurants. Visit some culinary schools. Talk to the teachers, students, staff and graduates.
Another approach to becoming a chef is to become an apprentice and get work in good restaurants. You will probably start by washing dishes and doing prep, but you can get an amazing education by working with world class chefs. This is also a great way to travel because you can work in restaurants all over the world. Famous chefs like Gordon Ramsey and Bobby Flay worked in a number of great restaurants before they became world-class chefs themselves. Learn all you can and you will eventually develop your own style.
If you are more interested in the business side of restaurants, you could great a degree in hospitality. In these programs, which can last from a few months to 4 years, you learn things like lodging, food and beverage, accounting, marketing, and inventory. Again, there are many wonderful programs at colleges and universities.
Another option many people choose is to buy a franchise. A franchise is a unique business model in which a company (the the franchisor) develops a restaurant concept that people like. Examples of this are McDonalds (the biggest), Five Guys, Domino’s, and Subway. Once the bugs are all worked out of the system, the franchisor sells local units to “franchisees” who own and run the restaurant (sometimes a lot of restaurants—Shaquille O’Neal owns 155 Five Guys restaurants) in exchange for a franchise fee and usually some monthly payments equivalent to a percentage of the business. In exchange the franchisee gets a proven concept, sales and marketing help, a turnkey system, recipes, training materials, and support from the franchisor. The theory is that the system is pretty close to perfect and all you have to do is follow the program. It works really well for many people, particularly business people. And you can own and run them without going to culinary school.
Another option many people follow is to just to begin working in the industry to see if they like it. Even working in a local pizza place {like I did) or a fast food place will tell you pretty quickly whether the industry is for you or not.
One thing to keep in mind is that the restaurant business has changed a lot just in the last few years. Covid really hit the business hard. When states shut down and forced everyone to stay home, obviously sit-restaurants were really hurt. I know in my town in Michigan, dozens of restaurants closed. And after the lockdowns, the horrible inflation drove food prices up drastically which also caused issues. People could not afford to eat out, or at least not as often. And a number of states have also enacted new minimum wage laws, raising the minimum wage to the point that many local restaurants and even chain restaurants cannot afford to stay in business.
I love food, cooking and making people happy so I really enjoyed my time in the food business. Your best bet is to get a job in the food service business and see if you like it. If you do, go to culinary school and learn to cook. I suggest you also eat at some great restaurants. Figure out what makes the place great. Is the food, the service, the atmosphere, the location? Get a notebook and take notes. Use that intel to start your own restaurant someday. But it is a hard business. It takes a lot of dedication to learn to be chef. You will work long hours on your feet. But if you love it, you can do it.
‘
To answer your actual question, I would open a burger joint with the best hamburgers ever made with all kinds of interesting options like ostrich, buffalo, kangaroo and musk ox. And a really good veggie burger, of course. It’s been so long since I’ve had a really great burger.
Good luck!
Matthew L. recommends the following next steps:
Thank you so much for the advice.
Gary
Miguel Leon
Chef-cook
2
Answers
Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Updated
Miguel’s Answer
Hi Gary,
I'm happy to answer your question! Nice to meet you! I'm Miguel. I spent a year doing an internship in New York, and it was an amazing experience. I saw you're from NY, so I wanted to share this with you.
I have experience from two sides: working in kitchens and enjoying eating out. Food is a basic need, and many types can succeed if you find the right market. But the restaurants I remember most did more than just feed me—they made me feel something special. They brought back memories, gave me a sense of calm, or created a unique moment.
When planning your menu, think about both feelings and needs. Ask yourself: what do I want people to feel when they eat here? Also, consider taste, portion size, quality, and price. These practical things are important too.
Good luck with your plans—I hope you open the restaurant you dream of!
Miguel
I'm happy to answer your question! Nice to meet you! I'm Miguel. I spent a year doing an internship in New York, and it was an amazing experience. I saw you're from NY, so I wanted to share this with you.
I have experience from two sides: working in kitchens and enjoying eating out. Food is a basic need, and many types can succeed if you find the right market. But the restaurants I remember most did more than just feed me—they made me feel something special. They brought back memories, gave me a sense of calm, or created a unique moment.
When planning your menu, think about both feelings and needs. Ask yourself: what do I want people to feel when they eat here? Also, consider taste, portion size, quality, and price. These practical things are important too.
Good luck with your plans—I hope you open the restaurant you dream of!
Miguel
Miguel Leon
Chef-cook
2
Answers
Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Updated
Miguel’s Answer
Hi Gary! Nice to meet you, my name is Miguel. First, I want to say that I spent one year doing internships in your city, New York, and it was a great experience in my life.
My answer is based on my experience as a cook and also as a customer. Food is one of the most basic human needs, so any type of food can have success, depending on the market you choose. But as a customer, I also know it is difficult to find a restaurant where you connect with more than just eating. That depends on you when you open your place. Many restaurants forget to create that connection. It is not only about eating, it is about moments, experiences, memories. The best restaurants I visited were the ones that made me feel peace, reminded me of my childhood, or gave me something special to remember.
On the other side, in a more practical way, you should also think about the needs: taste, portion size, quality, and price.
So my advice is: first try to decide the purpose of your restaurant and what kind of needs it will fill for your clients.
I wish you success in your career!
My answer is based on my experience as a cook and also as a customer. Food is one of the most basic human needs, so any type of food can have success, depending on the market you choose. But as a customer, I also know it is difficult to find a restaurant where you connect with more than just eating. That depends on you when you open your place. Many restaurants forget to create that connection. It is not only about eating, it is about moments, experiences, memories. The best restaurants I visited were the ones that made me feel peace, reminded me of my childhood, or gave me something special to remember.
On the other side, in a more practical way, you should also think about the needs: taste, portion size, quality, and price.
So my advice is: first try to decide the purpose of your restaurant and what kind of needs it will fill for your clients.
I wish you success in your career!
Johnny Carino
Private Chef
12
Answers
Saint Marys, Georgia
Updated
Johnny’s Answer
Hello Gary. Great question. For me, pulling from global recipes using fresh local ingredients. I would change my menu often. People love the new things. Cook great food, always try to be better. Guests will flock to you for creative cuisine using fresh local ingredients using global cuisine to influence your menu
Thank you for the advice.
Gary
Paul McClure
31
Answers
Fort Smith, Arkansas
Updated
Paul’s Answer
Make sure you have a solid business plan in place before you do that. Your profit margin will be based on pennies not dollars because you cannot charge what you think you should or from what you think it cost. Make sure that you have a solid menu in place and that you are consistent in your product. Also make sure you check out your business traffic get the right location, because you can have great food and be in the wrong area and it really won't matter it at that point. Make sure you hire the correct staff because I don't care how good your food is one bad employee can ruin your whole outlook of your business
Thank you so much, Paul!
Gary
Jason Fraser
chef
36
Answers
New City, New York
Updated
Jason’s Answer
Hi Gary, If I were to open a restaurant , I would put items that I am comfortable with and can produce consistently. I would also have specials so I could use my customers as feelers on new ideas to add to my menu. before you open a restaurant , you should also study the demographics of the surrounding areas. It's important to have a good location and busy streets for free advertisement. In any restaurant food is important but you have to have the right equipment for the types of food you want to cook. Sometimes it can dictate what you can cook ,unless you revamp the kitchen to suit your true needs which will require some investments. . Depending how much resources you have, you have to have Patience before you can determine if you're going to make it or not with the menu you have created. Good luck and happy cooking.
Rebecca Tang
Banking
2430
Answers
Hong Kong
Updated
Rebecca’s Answer
Thank you for your question. I am glad to know that you would like to run your restaurant.
Below are my suggestions:
1. Have you thought about what cuisine you would offer?
2. What is your target customer segment? Eg luxury, business, family, fast food, etc.
3. What is the location of the restaurant?
4. Do. you or the chef have any signature dish?
After answering these questions, you can then start designing the menu that suits above. You do not need to have a big menu, a few pages is good enough. Focus on the items you can do it good.
Hope this helps! Good luck!
May Almighty God bless you!
Below are my suggestions:
1. Have you thought about what cuisine you would offer?
2. What is your target customer segment? Eg luxury, business, family, fast food, etc.
3. What is the location of the restaurant?
4. Do. you or the chef have any signature dish?
After answering these questions, you can then start designing the menu that suits above. You do not need to have a big menu, a few pages is good enough. Focus on the items you can do it good.
Hope this helps! Good luck!
May Almighty God bless you!