Modern skills for smart operators

Sharpen your digital and food safety skills.

Upgrading your skillset is essential in today’s COVID-19 environment

As an operations manager, café owner, head chef or even a CEO you can ask for a great salary – but now is the time to modernise your skills and think beyond the immediate challenges and ask what can I do better?

UPGRADE Your Digital Skills

You know how the smart phone works but what about spreadsheets for costing recipes, checking menu profits and organising stocktakes? Learn how to interpret and download reports from a POS system and understand online security threats; improve your email writing and be ready to take good photographs for marketing online and for training. Start to use online rostering and perhaps embrace ditigal order screens more fully in the kitchen.

LEARN To Use The Latest Control Systems

Combi Ovens, such as thos on display at Fine Food 2021, refrigeration, power conservation and sales data, all have sophisticated electronic controls and many are now connected via the internet of things (IoT), to a PC or app. It is essential to exercise your control over your business this way.

SHARPEN Your Negotiation Skills

A new chef often wants new suppliers and you’ll do it based on an organised tender process with rebates for volume and regular price monitoring. You will spend less time on price checks and more on finding better suppliers who communicate with you electronically.

LEARN How A Business Works

Your position is a central part of the profit and loss statement, so make sure you know how to read one. If you are given a budget make sure that it is explained to you and ask for the fod cost percentages to be prepared weekly.

LEARN About Modern Menu Marketing

A clever menu not only looks and tastes good, but also maximises profitability through layout, pricing and seasonal availability of produce. Menus also need to work more for takeaway, online delivery and a digital display systems than before COVID 19. Add tasty looking photos of your dishes.

TAKE A Positive Approach To Healthy Menus

Changing food trends are a fact of life today. More people are opting for healthy choices including Plant Based meat alternatives. A ‘that’s no problem “ approach to allergies, gluten intolerance and veganism is beneficial to your bottom line.

BECOME A Food Safety Expert

Food safety is paramount to the success of any food service provider. Build up your skills through training and keep up to date with modern temperature control systems, apps and monitoring of food control systems.

LEARN How To Talk To The Boss

Sometimes this is called managing upwards. Work out the best way to make your case with senior management when need new equipment, staff changes, different work hours or even a raise. Make an appointment if necessary and be prepared with your notes. Sell the benefits to the business of your ideas.

UNDERSTAND How To Reduce Utility Costs

Energy and water saving measures reduce costs through kitchen equipment, use of chemicals, hot water and ventilation Take a practical green approach to adding to the profitability of the business.