Jamian
Where to start?
I plan on going to culinary school after high school. I plan on starting my own restaurant. Should I start my business after I get out of culinary school or should I gain some experience in an actual restaurant first? I already have a business plan, target market, demographics and all of the business aspects of my future business planed out. #business #culinary #culinary-arts #restaurants
2 answers
Tom Moore
Tom’s Answer
Nothing will prepare you more for owning and running your own restaurant than spending a year, or more, working in a restaurant. I applaud you for being prepared and having a plan in place to execute on your dream! I've encountered many people in my lifetime who had a dream and committed themselves fully on making the dream a reality only to find that the end result wasn't what they thought it would be. Take time to work in all positions in a restaurant so you'll know what it's like to perform every task before opening the doors on your own place. You'll have a much greater understanding of how to make things work by having the experience under your belt (and working things out while working for someone else).
Yes it is awesome that you have your business plan completed and it sounds like this is your dream and it very well maybe but I agree with Tom. You should definitely spend some time working in that field. Get as much experience as possible even take some management courses.
Sonya Williams Floyd
Thank you Tom and Sonya for both your advice and support. I plan on taking your advice and puting it to action. This is my dream and you guys just made it possible. Thank you so much.
Jamian
Totally agree with Tom on this. You'll get so much out of your experience working after culinary school. It will help shape and refine your business plan and vision. Sonya's advice on management classes is also right. Understanding leadership, management and financials is critical to being successful with a restaurant.
Eli Feldman
Jody Gallant
Jody’s Answer
I have been in the Food and Beverage industry for 25 years. I started in a pretzel stand at the mall in high school and worked my way to a Food and Beverage director in a large Casino industry in Las Vegas. I do have a college degree but it is in Nursing. I have found that the best way to learn in this business is from the ground up. Learn everything you can about how a restaurant runs on someone elses "dime". Learn how the front of the house works from the hostess to the busboy. Learn back of house from the dishwasher to the Head Chef. Learn to meet your guests needs before they know what they are. You will learn this by getting your hands dirty and jumping in. Be willing to try whatever is asked of you. The Food and Beverage Industry is a passion you have to live. It is hard and stressful but very rewarding. I like to refer to it as controlled chaos and no 2 days will be the same, I promise. Always remember to have fun and love what you do and you will suceed. As I said it has been 25 years of learning and I am now starting steps to open my own bar and grille. I believe I will completely make this work and I am glad I waited until I fully understood every corner of this business. Good Luck !!!
I think that you should get experience first
Shonnelia