Article - Restaurateur Connection

IMMIGRATION AND THE BUSINESS OF FOOD

Culinary Cues

JANUARY 26, 2025

This is not a pro or anti-immigration article but rather a dialogue of questions and a reality check. So, lets look at immigration through the eyes of the business of food from agriculture to food processing and on to the restaurants we all enjoy supporting. There are jobs and there are jobs.

Food

Food Hotels Fine Dining Agriculture

Five Ways to Use POS Data to Forecast Holiday Demand for Your Restaurant

Modern Restaurant Management

DECEMBER 9, 2024

In this article, we delve into five key ways that you should be using your POS data to forecast holiday demand for your restaurant. Over the Christmas season, 63 percent of adults plan to eat out so your restaurant needs to be prepared for the increase in demand.

POS

POS Seasonal Menu Point of Sale Customer Experience

OUR GIVING NATURE

Culinary Cues

JANUARY 29, 2025

This leads to the intent of this article. PLAN BETTER TRAIN HARDER Harvest America Ventures, LLC Restaurant Consulting www.harvestamericacues.com BLOG (Over 900 articles about the business and people of food) CAF Talks Podcast [link] More than 90 interviews with the most influential people in food

Dine-in

Dine-in Blog Article Training

Smart Supply Chain Management Can Reduce Food Waste and Improve Margins in Your Restaurant

Modern Restaurant Management

NOVEMBER 7, 2024

In this article, we’ll look at the smart strategies restaurants can enact in their supply chain management to minimize food waste, improve margins, and ease their environmental impact in the process. What restaurants can do, however, is re-think how their direct food supply is managed – from transport to inventory control.

Food Supply

Food Supply Waste Supplies Management

THE RESTAURANT MVP

Culinary Cues

JANUARY 13, 2025

PLAN BETTER TRAIN HARDER Harvest America Ventures, LLC Restaurant Consulting www.harvestamericacues.com BLOG (Over 900 articles about the business and people of food) CAF Talks Podcast [link] More than 90 interviews with the most influential people in food

Coaching

Coaching Sports Presentation Seasonal Menu

CHEF – SHOULD YOUR BELIEFS COUNT?

Culinary Cues

OCTOBER 23, 2024

Harvest America Ventures, LLC Restaurant Consulting www.harvestamericacues.com BLOG (Over 900 articles about the business and people of food) CAFÉ Talks Podcast [link] More than 90 interviews with the most influential people in food PLAN BETTER – TRAIN HARDER Compromise is a good thing; it helps the world go round.

Café

Café Pricing Hiring Blog

Hiring? Ask These Interview Questions to Spot Versatile Restaurant Talent

Modern Restaurant Management

NOVEMBER 5, 2024

In this article, I’ll share those tips so you can hire people who will excel in the role and not only fill it. Still, finding candidates who embody these traits remains a perennial challenge—and nearly impossible if you’ve been asking the wrong questions.

Hiring

Hiring Leadership Customer Service Customer Experience

Restaurant Menu Engineering Techniques to Maximize Profit

ChowNow

MAY 23, 2025

Weve said it several times in this article, but the most effective way to execute menu engineering is to focus on making small, strategic updates based on real numbers and feedback. Stay Consistent, but Flexible Consistency builds trust with your customers, meaning you shouldnt overhaul your entire menu every month.

Menu

Menu Seasonal Menu Point of Sale Online Ordering

KITCHEN LIFE & CAREER

Culinary Cues

MARCH 10, 2025

PLAN BETTER TRAIN HARDER Work Hard and be Kind Dick Cattani Harvest America Ventures, LLC Restaurant Consulting www.harvestamericacues.com BLOG (Over 900 articles about the business and people of food) CAF Talks Podcast [link] More than 90 interviews with the most influential people in food

Hotels

Hotels Fine Dining Seasonal Menu Healthcare

5 Ways AI Reduces Food Waste in Restaurants by 30%

The Rail

JANUARY 21, 2025

In this article, we'll explore five practical ways AI helps restaurants reduce food waste by up to 30%, making sustainability an attainable goal for the industry. Her most significant contributions in this realm can be found in the articles she has authored for the blog on Shapiroe.com.

Waste

Waste Compost Recycling Food

RESTAURANTS – POLI-ACTIVE / POLI-NEUTRAL

Culinary Cues

NOVEMBER 10, 2024

PLAN BETTER – TRAIN HARDER Harvest America Ventures, LLC Restaurant Consulting www.harvestamericacues.com BLOG (Over 900 articles about the business and people of food) CAFÉ Talks Podcast [link] More than 90 interviews with the most influential people in food

Front of House

Front of House Back of House Sourcing Travel

Niche Menus: Less Is More When it Comes to Luxury

Modern Restaurant Management

NOVEMBER 26, 2024

In the January 23, 2024 New York Times article,“The Menu Trends That Define Dining Right Now,” the publication gathered 121 menus from restaurants all over the United States. The article goes on to suggest that “restaurant menus can be surprisingly revealing.

Seasonal Menu

Seasonal Menu 2024 Customer Experience Menu

KITCHEN FOOD FOR THE SOUL

Culinary Cues

NOVEMBER 22, 2024

PLAN BETTER – TRAIN HARDER Harvest America Ventures, LLC Restaurant Consulting www.harvestamericacues.com BLOG (Over 900 articles about the business and people of food) CAFÉ Talks Podcast [link] More than 90 interviews with the most influential people in food These are my memories of cooking for the soul.

Food

Food Front of House Back of House Point of Sale

New Year, New Deals: How Smart Operators Keep More Profit

Modern Restaurant Management

JANUARY 20, 2025

Sysco, US Foods, and similar distributors have multiple revenue streams, but in this article, we’ll focus on one of their biggest sources of income: margins. The good news is there’s no reason you can’t carve out a little chunk of that $14.6 billion for yourself.

Operations

Operations Beverage Point of Sale Pricing

CHEFS – SIMPLE AT A DIFFERENT LEVEL

Culinary Cues

MAY 12, 2025

PLAN BETTER TRAIN HARDER Work Hard and be Kind Dick Cattani Harvest America Ventures, LLC Restaurant Consulting www.harvestamericacues.com BLOG (Over 900 articles about the business and people of food) CAF Talks Podcast [link] More than 90 interviews with the most influential people in food At the same time you deserve to have a life.

Fine Dining

Fine Dining Seasonal Menu Front of House White Paper

TO COOKS, CHEFS, AND ALL WHO ARE ENGAGED IN THE BUSINESS OF FOOD

Culinary Cues

MAY 22, 2025

Twelve years have come and gone, the blog has topped 2 million views through 975 articles on every culinary/management topic imaginable, and I have had the honor of working with more than fifty different clients from coast-to-coast restaurants, hotels, resorts, culinary colleges, and commodity boards.

2025

2025 Food 2013 Education

THE PERSON YOU ARE

Culinary Cues

MARCH 31, 2025

PLAN BETTER TRAIN HARDER Work Hard and be Kind Dick Cattani Harvest America Ventures, LLC Restaurant Consulting www.harvestamericacues.com BLOG (Over 900 articles about the business and people of food) CAF Talks Podcast [link] More than 90 interviews with the most influential people in food Make more music.

Consumer Goods

Consumer Goods Transportation Small Business Take-out

GIVING THANKS

Culinary Cues

NOVEMBER 25, 2024

PLAN BETTER – TRAIN HARDER Harvest America Ventures, LLC Restaurant Consulting www.harvestamericacues.com BLOG (Over 900 articles about the business and people of food) CAFÉ Talks Podcast [link] More than 90 interviews with the most influential people in food Happy Thanksgiving. What are you thankful for?

Food Supply

Food Supply Uniforms Café Take-out

THE IMPORTANT THINGS I LEARNED IN THE KITCHEN

Culinary Cues

DECEMBER 16, 2024

PLAN BETTER TRAIN HARDER Harvest America Ventures, LLC Restaurant Consulting www.harvestamericacues.com BLOG (Over 900 articles about the business and people of food) CAF Talks Podcast [link] More than 90 interviews with the most influential people in food This is the missing ingredient in so many guest experiences.

Employee Relations

Employee Relations Presentation Small Business Recruiting

THE 21 KITCHEN RULES FOR EVERY CHEF TO FOLLOW

Culinary Cues

OCTOBER 3, 2024

Nearly nine years ago, during the first twelve months of Harvest America Cues blog, one of my articles went viral attracting almost 40,000 views in one day. The article struck a nerve with its focus on A Cook’s Kitchen Laws. Since then, more than 100,000 people have read and shared that article.

Coaching

Coaching Restaurant Law Article Training

Online Reputation Management For Restaurants: Tips To Boost Your Online Presence

ChowNow

APRIL 4, 2025

For more information on how to collect and grow your Google reviews, read our article How To Get More Google Restaurant Reviews From Customers. By actively encouraging reviews, youre taking a proactive step in managing your restaurants online reputation.

Management

Management Management Social Media Online Ordering

THE NEXT GENERATION OF COOKS & CHEFS

Culinary Cues

APRIL 7, 2025

PLAN BETTER TRAIN HARDER Work Hard and be Kind Dick Cattani Harvest America Ventures, LLC Restaurant Consulting www.harvestamericacues.com BLOG (Over 900 articles about the business and people of food) CAF Talks Podcast [link] More than 90 interviews with the most influential people in food

Kitchen Safety

Kitchen Safety Food Supply 2030 Healthcare

CARPE DIEM, COOKS

Culinary Cues

OCTOBER 14, 2024

PLAN BETTER – TRAIN HARDER Harvest America Ventures, LLC Restaurant Consulting www.harvestamericacues.com BLOG (Over 900 articles about the business and people of food) CAFÉ Talks Podcast [link] More than 90 interviews with the most influential people in food Are you willing to jump in the deep end and do the work to learn how to swim?

Coaching

Coaching Employee Relations Take-out Training

Restaurant Trends to Look For in 2025

Modern Restaurant Management

OCTOBER 7, 2024

In almost every conversation I have with other industry professionals, someone will say “before COVID… ” or “since COVID… ” As a matter of fact, in many of my articles I make the same comparison. I’ll make this connection for you later in this article.

2025

2025 Loyalty Program Waste Compost

WILL THE RESTAURANT EXPERIENCE BECOME IMPERSONAL

Culinary Cues

FEBRUARY 5, 2025

PLAN BETTER TRAIN HARDER Work Hard and be Kind Dick Cattani Harvest America Ventures, LLC Restaurant Consulting www.harvestamericacues.com BLOG (Over 900 articles about the business and people of food) CAF Talks Podcast [link] More than 90 interviews with the most influential people in food Where theres a will there is a way.

Fine Dining

Fine Dining Food Supply Customer Service Recruiting

THE COMPETITION EFFECT

Culinary Cues

MAY 1, 2025

PLAN BETTER TRAIN HARDER Work Hard and be Kind Dick Cattani Harvest America Ventures, LLC Restaurant Consulting www.harvestamericacues.com BLOG (Over 900 articles about the business and people of food) CAF Talks Podcast [link] More than 90 interviews with the most influential people in food

Innovation

Innovation Fine Dining Consumer Goods Customer Service

BE EXCELLENT

Culinary Cues

OCTOBER 27, 2024

PLAN BETTER – TRAIN HARDER Harvest America Ventures, LLC Restaurant Consulting www.harvestamericacues.com BLOG (Over 900 articles about the business and people of food) CAFÉ Talks Podcast [link] More than 90 interviews with the most influential people in food Once you adopt a philosophy of excellence, it will become your signature.

Training

Training Coaching Uniforms Café

7 Strategies To Increase Your Restaurant’s Average Order Volume (AOV)

ChowNow

FEBRUARY 7, 2025

In this article, youll learn simple, practical strategies to make it happenno awkward upselling or overcomplicated tactics required. If any of this sounds familiar, please keep reading so you can discover how increasing your average order volume can transform your restaurant without the need for new customers or a corporate-level budget.

Ordering

Ordering Online Ordering Loyalty Program Customer Experience

Restaurant Payments Go from Cash to Credit to Contactless – to Cryptocurrency

Modern Restaurant Management

MARCH 15, 2022

If you are not reading this article on Modern Restaurant Management , please reconsider your reading choices and visit the original source. The company released 1,501 tokens in January, bringing in around $15 million. All of this demonstrates a push toward digitization, and above all, convenience.

Food Supply

Food Supply Point of Sale Supplies Food Safety

Local SEO For Restaurants—How To Rank Higher And Attract More Customers

ChowNow

MARCH 7, 2025

In this article, you will learn: How to optimize your Google Business Profile to boost visibility and credibility. To learn more about collecting reviews, check out our article on How to Get More Google Restaurant Reviews. The best ways to get more customer reviews and use them to your advantage.

SEO

SEO Online Ordering Mobile Ordering Website Management

The Cost of B-ing Good

Modern Restaurant Management

OCTOBER 24, 2024

Read any article enumerating the current or emerging trends in restaurants and retail and you will see ideas of health and wellness, environmental sustainability, and brand authenticity coming to the fore. They remain a benefit corporation in the state of California (a corporate entity designation available in 36 states).

Certification

Certification Fast Casual Front of House Government

A CHEF’S HARD DAY’S NIGHT

Culinary Cues

MAY 8, 2023

It sounded like an appropriate title for an article about life in the kitchen. PLAN BETTER – TRAIN HARDER Harvest America Ventures, LLC Restaurant Consulting www.harvestamericacues.com BLOG (Over 800 articles about the business and people of food) CAFÉ Talks Podcast [link] More than 70 interviews with the most influential people in food

Kitchen Safety

Kitchen Safety Food Safety Coaching Training

IT’S THE KITCHEN PEOPLE I MISS

Culinary Cues

APRIL 22, 2025

PLAN BETTER TRAIN HARDER Work Hard and be Kind Dick Cattani Harvest America Ventures, LLC Restaurant Consulting www.harvestamericacues.com BLOG (Over 900 articles about the business and people of food) CAF Talks Podcast [link] More than 90 interviews with the most influential people in food

Employee Relations

Employee Relations Reference Influencer Education

A CHEF’S MOMENT

Culinary Cues

NOVEMBER 2, 2024

PLAN BETTER – TRAIN HARDER Harvest America Ventures, LLC Restaurant Consulting www.harvestamericacues.com BLOG (Over 900 articles about the business and people of food) You know that the work is hard and unforgiving at times, but as the NFL coach Marv Levy always asked: “Where would you rather be than right here, right now.”

Coaching

Coaching Take-out Food Order Inventory

Lessons from French Bistros: How Small Restaurants Deliver Big Experience

Modern Restaurant Management

MAY 9, 2025

This article explores their charm, global influence, and the key elements that fuel their success. As of 2024, Paris alone boasts approximately 18,000 bistros, making up 10 percent of France’s restaurant scene. Far from being relics, bistros remain vibrant, offering timeless lessons for small restaurants aiming to leave a lasting mark.

Fine Dining

Fine Dining Influencer Dine-in Innovation

2024 Emergency Planning for Restaurants

Modern Restaurant Management

DECEMBER 21, 2023

This article is not a template. This article is not intended to give legal opinions or provide any kind of legal counsel. Fortunately, by taking the right precautions and proactive measures, you can help minimize the risk and damage. Being in the restaurant industry is hard enough, but you can plan ahead for peace of mind in 2024.

2024

2024 Kitchen Safety Cash Management Insurance

EVERY PLATE TELLS A STORY

Culinary Cues

APRIL 14, 2025

PLAN BETTER TRAIN HARDER Work Hard and be Kind Dick Cattani Harvest America Ventures, LLC Restaurant Consulting www.harvestamericacues.com BLOG (Over 900 articles about the business and people of food) CAF Talks Podcast [link] More than 90 interviews with the most influential people in food Food for thought.

Fine Dining

Fine Dining Seasonal Menu Travel Presentation

THE GRAPES OF WRATH

Culinary Cues

FEBRUARY 24, 2025

John Steinbeck PLAN BETTER TRAIN HARDER Work Hard and be Kind Dick Cattani Harvest America Ventures, LLC Restaurant Consulting www.harvestamericacues.com BLOG (Over 900 articles about the business and people of food) CAF Talks Podcast [link] More than 90 interviews with the most influential people in food

Back of House

Back of House Travel Government Education

Bridging the Gap: Integrating Legal and Insurance Considerations into Restaurant Cybersecurity Response

Modern Restaurant Management

MAY 27, 2025

This article explores how restaurants can better prepare for cyber incidents, understand third-party vendor risks, respond effectively when breaches occur and leverage their cyber insurance policies for optimal protection.

Insurance

Insurance Document Employee Relations 2023

Streamlining Restaurant Renovations with 3D Modeling and Design Technology

Modern Restaurant Management

JANUARY 22, 2025

This article will explain how renovating a restaurant using 3D design technology saves time and money and delivers a better final result How 3D Modeling Simplifies Restaurant Renovation Planning Traditional methods do little to help one have an efficient and effective restaurant remodeling.

Design

Design Technology Fine Dining Fast Casual

Can Cross-Training Ease FOH vs. BOH Tension in Restaurants?

Wasserstrom

JANUARY 10, 2025

In this article, we explore potential causes of the tension between the FOH and BOH and offer a solution that will help improve operational efficiency, guest satisfaction, and employee camaraderie: cross-training.

FOH

FOH BOH Training Front of House

Encouraging Diners to Order Direct—Here’s How to Make It Easy

ChowNow

FEBRUARY 21, 2025

In this article, you will learn: How to educate customers on why direct ordering matters Simple incentives to encourage direct orders Ways to streamline and promote your direct ordering system Lets explore the best ways to shift customer behavior and grow your direct ordering sales. But how do you get diners to change their habits?

Ordering

Ordering Email Marketing Online Ordering Social Media

A STORY TO TELL

Culinary Cues

APRIL 10, 2025

PLAN BETTER TRAIN HARDER Work Hard and be Kind Dick Cattani Harvest America Ventures, LLC Restaurant Consulting www.harvestamericacues.com BLOG (Over 900 articles about the business and people of food) CAF Talks Podcast [link] More than 90 interviews with the most influential people in food

Travel

Travel 2025 Blog Food Order

Exploring the Factors Behind the Surge in Restaurant Automation

Modern Restaurant Management

DECEMBER 12, 2023

In this article, I will share my perspective on the current state of automation and why I believe it is poised for significant growth in 2024. Seismic Shifts in Working Standards It has been over three years since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, and in many ways, we have recovered from the global disruption it caused.

Customer Service

Customer Service Customer Experience Social Media Innovation

IMMIGRATION AND THE BUSINESS OF FOOD

Five Ways to Use POS Data to Forecast Holiday Demand for Your Restaurant

Trending Sources

OUR GIVING NATURE

Smart Supply Chain Management Can Reduce Food Waste and Improve Margins in Your Restaurant

THE RESTAURANT MVP

CHEF – SHOULD YOUR BELIEFS COUNT?

Hiring? Ask These Interview Questions to Spot Versatile Restaurant Talent

Restaurant Menu Engineering Techniques to Maximize Profit

KITCHEN LIFE & CAREER

5 Ways AI Reduces Food Waste in Restaurants by 30%

RESTAURANTS – POLI-ACTIVE / POLI-NEUTRAL

Niche Menus: Less Is More When it Comes to Luxury

KITCHEN FOOD FOR THE SOUL

New Year, New Deals: How Smart Operators Keep More Profit

CHEFS – SIMPLE AT A DIFFERENT LEVEL

TO COOKS, CHEFS, AND ALL WHO ARE ENGAGED IN THE BUSINESS OF FOOD

THE PERSON YOU ARE

GIVING THANKS

THE IMPORTANT THINGS I LEARNED IN THE KITCHEN

THE 21 KITCHEN RULES FOR EVERY CHEF TO FOLLOW

Online Reputation Management For Restaurants: Tips To Boost Your Online Presence

THE NEXT GENERATION OF COOKS & CHEFS

CARPE DIEM, COOKS

Restaurant Trends to Look For in 2025

WILL THE RESTAURANT EXPERIENCE BECOME IMPERSONAL

THE COMPETITION EFFECT

BE EXCELLENT

7 Strategies To Increase Your Restaurant’s Average Order Volume (AOV)

Restaurant Payments Go from Cash to Credit to Contactless – to Cryptocurrency

Local SEO For Restaurants—How To Rank Higher And Attract More Customers

The Cost of B-ing Good

A CHEF’S HARD DAY’S NIGHT

IT’S THE KITCHEN PEOPLE I MISS

A CHEF’S MOMENT

Lessons from French Bistros: How Small Restaurants Deliver Big Experience

2024 Emergency Planning for Restaurants

EVERY PLATE TELLS A STORY

THE GRAPES OF WRATH

Bridging the Gap: Integrating Legal and Insurance Considerations into Restaurant Cybersecurity Response

Streamlining Restaurant Renovations with 3D Modeling and Design Technology

Can Cross-Training Ease FOH vs. BOH Tension in Restaurants?

Encouraging Diners to Order Direct—Here’s How to Make It Easy

A STORY TO TELL

Exploring the Factors Behind the Surge in Restaurant Automation

Stay Connected