Friday, July 29, 2011

Hot Pizza Dip

If you love pizza then with no doubt you would die for this dip made from well known favorite ingredients. It's even better served with toasted slices of French baguette.


Ingredients:
  • 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
  • 1/4 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 cup pizza sauce
  • 2 tablespoons chopped green bell pepper
  • 2 ounces pepperoni sausage, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons sliced black olives

Directions:

  1. In a small bowl, mix together the cream cheese, oregano, parsley, and basil.
  2. Spread mixture in the bottom of a 9 inch pie plate, or a shallow microwave-safe dish. Sprinkle 1/2 cup of the mozzarella cheese and 1/2 cup of the Parmesan cheese on top of the cream cheese mixture. Spread the pizza sauce over all. Sprinkle with remaining cheese, then top with green pepper, pepperoni and olive slices. Cover, and microwave for 5 minutes. Serve hot.               

TIPS:
1. Make the dip 48 hours before serving time, this gives the flavors more time to marinate.
2. You can add Italian sausage to the mixer.
3. Substitute the toasted baguette for mini seasoned bagel chips or any other thicker chips of your choice.
4. If you prefer you can bake the dip at 350* before serving.
Courtesy of Dayna Dumas

Thursday, July 28, 2011

Five ideas on how restaurants can build their customers' email list

Many restaurant owners are looking for the best practices they can use to build their customers' email list and use it to their advantage for marketing strategies. Here, we have summarized five ways of how to accomplish this.
1. Take advantage of your website- create a sign up form on your home page or on your menu page where your guest can enter their information.
2. Use your reservation page- construct your reservation page in such a way that when customers want to make online reservations they have to input their email.
3. Comment cards- you can present them after dinner with their check and a pen, so when people are waiting they can fill the cards.
4. Your employees- when customers call to make a reservation train your employees to ask if the customers are already on your mailing list and if not would they like to be added in order to take advantage of a 10% discount which can be used towards their current dinner reservation.
5. Take out or delivery orders- include fill out cards and have your customers return them on their next visit for 1/2 menu item.

Remember once you have build your customers' email list always provide interesting and engaging information that will keep your guests attention.

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

How to stand out from the competition as a server?



In this episode we discuss how as a server you can stand out from the competition: You can keep a clean uniform, give out business cards, be knowledgable of your restaurant menu and kitchen operations, be professional and never ask a customer for change or serve a food which is not presentable, and always be proactive and ask questions. 

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Banana Crumb Muffins

This scrumptious banana muffins are not only great for breakfast, but also make an outstanding afternoon delight.
Ingredients:
  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 3 bananas, mashed
  • 3/4 cup white sugar
  • 1 egg, lightly beaten
  • 1/3 cup butter, melted
  • 1/3 cup packed brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 tablespoon butter

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Lightly grease 10 muffin cups, or line with muffin papers.
  2. In a large bowl, mix together 1 1/2 cups flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. In another bowl, beat together bananas, sugar, egg and melted butter. Stir the banana mixture into the flour mixture just until moistened. Spoon batter into prepared muffin cups.
  3. In a small bowl, mix together brown sugar, 2 tablespoons flour and cinnamon. Cut in 1 tablespoon butter until mixture resembles coarse cornmeal. Sprinkle topping over muffins.
  4. Bake in preheated oven for 18 to 20 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into center of a muffin comes out clean.               

TIPS:
For more flavor add some vanilla, nutmeg, or cinnamon to the muffin batter.

Courtesy of Lisa Kreft.

Monday, July 25, 2011

How to safe proof your position in the restaurant industry?

Even as the restaurant industry continues to grow, to safe proof your current position is never easy. Find out how this four ways can help you get on your boss's radar.

1. Make yourself relevant- the more your customers mention and request you the better.
2. Volunteer for shifts- always show willingness to go an extra mile.
3. Stay informed and let it show- stay in touch with newest trends and regulations and share nuggets of information with management.
4. Never stop learning- there is always something new to learn when it comes to the restaurant industry, so keep yourself ahead of the game by always learning new cooking methods, money saving strategies, or new wine selections.

Remember, always keep evolving and bettering yourself as an employee and your position will be yours to keep.

Friday, July 22, 2011

Best Lemonade

Amazingly refreshing lemonade for hot summer days and leisure afternoons. The best you'll ever find.
                     
Ingredients:                          
  • 1 3/4 cups white sugar
  • 8 cups water
  • 1 1/2 cups lemon juice

    Directions:

  1. In a small saucepan, combine sugar and 1 cup water. Bring to boil and stir to dissolve sugar. Allow to cool to room temperature, then cover and refrigerate until chilled.
  2. Remove seeds from lemon juice, but leave pulp. In pitcher, stir together chilled syrup, lemon juice and remaining 7 cups water.               

TIPS:
If you are looking to save time, instead of boiling the water put it in the microwave, and then cool it with ice.

Courtesy of Jo

Thursday, July 21, 2011

Three websites that can save you money on dining out

Nowadays more and more  people are dining out. As much as it is fun to experiment with different cuisine every night, it can become quite expensive. Here are three websites that can save you money when dining at a restaurant.

1. Restaurant.com- this website offers discounts on gift certificates on over 18,000 restaurants nationwide. Here you can easily find a $25 gift certificate for only $10.
2. Groupon.com-  this website has become quite the popular destination for many households. It features daily deals with 50% to 70% discounts, and it does require free subscription. In fact their newest feature offers personalized deals especially made for each customer.
3. Livingsocial.com- is another website which works on the same premises as Groupon offering up to 90% off your city best deals. The great thing about livingsocial.com is that they offer different categories for each deal where customers can choose the ones that best appeal to their situation. Moreover, their newest category is Adventure which offers fantastic deals for the hot summer days.

Good luck and happy savings!

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

How to increase your sales as a server using social media



In our second episode we discussed five ways of how to increase your sales as a server using social media:
1. Share with your friends and family where you work.
2. Share any birthday specials the restaurant is offering.
3. Post monthly specials the restaurant is running.
5. Share videos of your achievements as a server.

Enjoy!
 

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Greek Salad

 This great Greek salad is not only perfect for the hot summer days, but it's actually good for you too. You should try it for yourself.

Ingredients:
  • 3 large ripe tomatoes, chopped
  • 2 cucumbers, peeled and chopped
  • 1 small red onion, chopped
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 4 teaspoons lemon juice
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 cup crumbled feta cheese
  • 6 black Greek olives, pitted and sliced

Directions:

  1. In shallow salad bowl, or on serving platter, combine tomatoes, cucumber, and onion. Sprinkle with oil, lemon juice, oregano, and salt and pepper to taste. Sprinkle feta cheese and olives over salad. Serve.               

TIPS:
Substitute the lemon juice for red wine vinegar for even greater taste.

Courtesy of Jen

Monday, July 18, 2011

How can you motivate your employees as a restaurant owner?

As simple as it seems that showing up on time, being pleasant to the customers, and having the willingness to go above and beyond should be part of the job description of any restaurant employee, many restaurant owners find themselves perplexed when it comes to motivating their own stuff. Lets' take a look at a few simple ways of how to help your employees become better at what they do.

1. Hold competitions for best seller in different menu categories and give away rewards such as a day off with pay.
2. Hold game nights such as bingo where you can make bingo cards with menu items. The first employee who wins reward with movie tickets to a popular show.
3. Give rewards for highest sales of the month or for most requested server of the month such as no side work after shift.

As a restaurant owner you can also offer rewards such as spa and massage certificates, or gift cards to your own or other popular restaurants. There shouldn't be limit to your imagination when it comes to motivating your employees. Always keep it simple, fun, and let the good times roll.

Friday, July 15, 2011

What should every restaurant include on their website?

Many restaurants miss on a great opportunity of how to increase their sales by making costly mistakes when it comes to their websites. If you are looking for ways of how to capture business from all aspects of your efforts, then start with your website as a way to boost your sales while at the same time decreasing your costs. Let's take a look at what every successful restaurant website should include:

1. Contact information- your website should include your address, phone number, hours of operation, map of your location, and directions of how to get there.
2. Menu- include a full menu of your restaurant from appetizers to desserts, also wine list and special drinks.
3. Photography- feature pictures of the food you offer, your interior or exterior of the restaurant as well as your stuff.
4. Who works in the restaurant- make your establishment stand out by showcasing the people who make your restaurant special from front, back of the house, to owners and include pictures and bios.
5. Updating your website- having old information can drive customers away, so make your Events page fresh and relevant.
6. Connecting design and brand- stay away from low scale graphics and site designs that can hurt your brand. Your website should reflect your restaurant image and dining experience.
7. Sales- your website should not only have a great content, but also should sell for you 24/7. The best restaurant website are build to take reservations, sell merchandise, book parties, catering events, and promote gift cards.

 Simple put your website should be an one stop shop for all aspects of your restaurant.

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

How restaurant owners or managers can increase customer satisfaction?

A great way to increase customer satisfaction is to train all employees in your restaurant, from front to back of the house, this fundamental philosophy based on the simple acronym GUEST:
G-Greet, U-Understand, E-Educate, S-Satisfy, T-Thank:
       
Greet all guest cordially when they visit your restaurant. Understand their need, why they are there and exceed their expectations. Educate your customers on your menu and specials.  Armed with understanding of your customer, satisfy their needs. Then, thank them sincerely and welcome them back to visit your restaurant. 
Last and most importantly, always be gracious, courteous, and sincere with all your customers. There is nothing worse than a half-hearted, "See ya..." as the customer is leaving your restaurant.

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Alfredo Sauce

Delicious and pretty close in taste to the restaurant chains' Alfredo sauces. You have to try it for yourself. Amazing!


Ingredients
  • 1/4 cup butter
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 clove garlic, crushed
  • 1 1/2 cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

Directions

 Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium low heat. Add cream and simmer for 5 minutes, then add garlic and cheese and whisk quickly, heating through. Stir in parsley and serve.               

TIPS:
1. You can use margarine for butter and homogenized milk for the cream.
2. Whisk while you mixing the cream with the butter as well as the cheese for smooth consistency.
3. Don't boil or the sauce will separate.


Courtesy of Rebecca Swift

Monday, July 11, 2011

Restaurant Style Buffalo Chicken Wings

These hot wings are simple the best you can make at home. Once you try them, you would love them.
Pass on the joy and share your opinion.


Ingredients:
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 10 chicken wings
  • oil for deep frying
  • 1/4 cup butter
  • 1/4 cup hot sauce
  • 1 dash ground black pepper
  • 1 dash garlic powder

Directions

  1. In a small bowl mix together the flour, paprika, cayenne pepper and salt. Place chicken wings in a large nonporous glass dish or bowl and sprinkle flour mixture over them until they are evenly coated. Cover dish or bowl and refrigerate for 60 to 90 minutes.
  2. Heat oil in a deep fryer to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). The oil should be just enough to cover wings entirely, an inch or so deep. Combine the butter, hot sauce, pepper and garlic powder in a small saucepan over low heat. Stir together and heat until butter is melted and mixture is well blended. Remove from heat and reserve for serving.
  3. Fry coated wings in hot oil for 10 to 15 minutes, or until parts of wings begin to turn brown. Remove from heat, place wings in serving bowl, add hot sauce mixture and stir together. Serve.


TIPS: 
1. Don't skip the step where you refrigerate the wings for 60-90 min. Once the coating becomes sticky then they are ready to be fried.
2. You can bake them instead of frying them.
3. You can substitute the hot sauce for bbq, garlic, or any other sauce you want to try.

Notes:
Servings: 5

Courtesy of Kelly
               

What drives servers crazy when it comes to customers?

Did you know that certain customer behavior drives servers crazy? The truth is out. Find out what servers say about things that drive them crazy:

1. "When you come at the last minute before closing time and decide to order a four course meal".
2. "When the first thing you ask is "Can we get some bread""?
3. "When you snap your fingers at us".
4. "When you order something, and then don't remember you did".
5. "When you argue you ordered something, and you never did".
6. "When you wash us with praises, but you don't leave tip".
7. "When you tell us how we should do our job".
8. "When you know that you are the last table, that we have closed an hour ago, but you are still taking your time".
9. "When you eat half of your meal and then tell us you don't like it".
10. "When you receive free dinner and don't even leave tip".
11. "When the first thing you tell us is "We know the owner"".
12. "When you insult us and you think is funny".
13. "When you sexually harass us and you think is O.K".
14. "When you forget we are human too".
15. "When you forget that we don't cook the food, we just serve it".