(Source: Flickr) Introduction: Everyone wants their restaurant to look good, regardless of the style and concept of the establishment. But whether you have an upscale French bistro, a modern sushi bar, or a rustic farm to table restaurant, there are certain restaurant decor trends that have become ubiquitous to the point of cliché, and shouldFIND OUT MORE |

(Source: Flickr) In order to have a successful restaurant, you’ve got to focus on the people who are ultimately paying all of your bills: your customers. Creating and crafting a great customer experience is one of the most important and effective ways in which you can help your restaurant attain success.

Chefs of Chef Works: June 2016 Chef Tamara WesterHold   Question 1: Where did you get your start? “My first paying gig was preparing weekly meals for a family. As far back as I can remember, I was excited about food. Not just eating it, but learning the origins of a dish & how itFIND OUT MORE |

Photo Courtesy of Flickr Creative Commons   Whether you’re a new restaurant owner or have been at it for awhile, you know that you can’t do it alone. Even if you own a small business like a  food truck, you will likely need to hire some employees at some point.

Photo Courtesy of Flickr Creative Common Reservations at restaurants weren’t always as common as they are today. Centuries ago, restaurants all operated on a first come, first served basis. While this worked out well, reservations have definitely made it easier for restaurant owners and chefs to keep the kitchen running optimally because they know exactlyFIND OUT MORE |

(Source: Flickr) While there are many things that play into keeping a restaurant running, including the quality of the food and service, when it comes down to it, money is what powers every part of the machine. It’s what you need to pay for ingredients, staff, and to keep the lights on. And to makeFIND OUT MORE |

(Source: Flickr) The seating layout is one of the necessary choices you will have to make before opening your restaurant. Your decision about how to arrange your dining room and which seating options you choose have a huge effect on not only the overall dining experience, but on the efficiency of your restaurant. A poorFIND OUT MORE |

(Source: Flickr) While there are many things that keep a restaurant running, one of the most important sources of fuel for the business’s continued success is great employees. The staff is not only the customer’s first impression, but they are responsible for creating the entire dining experience, from seating to serving to dessert and clean-up.FIND OUT MORE |

(Source: Flickr)   There’s no doubt about it: opening a restaurant is a scary prospect. It’s extremely expensive, involves a ton of responsibility, an intimidating amount of work, and it’s a huge financial risk. It will challenge you physically and mentally. But for many, the moment when the doors are opened for business and theFIND OUT MORE |

Photo Courtesy of Flickr Creative Commons In a digital age, a website is necessary for practically every business, but for a restaurant, it’s crucial. Potential diners will check you out online before visiting to see what your menu is like, your hours, or your location. While having a website is a must, it’s also importantFIND OUT MORE |