For over eight years now, Whole Foods has been trying to get a new location in Gowanus off the ground. The company removed the toxic waste from the 4.2-acre site on the corner of Third Street and Third Avenue, and promises the establishment will feature a 20,000-square-foot rooftop greenhouse, and a charging station for electric cars. You'd think it would be welcomed with open arms by those Brooklyn residents who don't belong to the Park Slope Food Co-Op, but Whole Foods is still trying to persuade the community it's going to be a great neighbor.
You'll need to think about your wedding catering, no matter what type of wedding you have. Whether you have a champagne reception on the lawn, a fork buffet or a silver-service three course meal, one of your biggest expenses will be your food and drink.
I don''t know about you, but no matter what diet I am on at any given time, I have to have my chelo-kabab (and not the washed version, but the works:onion, doogh, somaagh,...etc.)at least once a week. So part of the reason we have decided to start this site, is to serve those of you who need to find Persian food, no matter where they are. The goal is to have every single Iranian (or Iranian owned)restaurant listed, along with all the relevant information about it. For example, you can find out what kind of food they serve, what the price range is, if they have live music, or if there is a Persian grocery store next door. You can make this list even more comprehensive by sending us the name of a restaurant we have missed, and have us add it to the roster.
Additionally,if you own a restaurant anywhere in the United States, make sure we have you and your dining establishment listed on our site and please let me know how we can help you in your pursuits. You can contact me at any time at IranianCameron@gmail.com.
IC(Iranian-Caterers): How long have you worked in the catering industry?
Mike(Mike Arbabi): I have worked in the catering industry for 25 years.
IC: What skills do you need to have to be a manager in catering?
Mike: These are the skills you need to be a manager in catering: Professional, Knowledge of cooking,Adaptable, Ability to manage and train staff, Good listener, Ability to communicate with clients, staff and boss,To be a leader and lead by example, Knowledge of all legislation (i.e., food safety, health safety, laws, Awareness of cost of food, Ability to manage profit.
IC: What skills do you need to have to be an employee in catering?
Mike: These are the skills you need to have to be a catering employee: Knowledge of all relevant Legislation (e.g. food safety etc),Reliable ,Willingness to learn, Flexible, Certified and experienced with cooking, Professional
IC: What would do think would be the first thing you would do when starting your own catering business? And what would follow on from this?
Mike: These are the steps I would carry out when starting my own catering business:
The first thing you must consider is the amount of capital that you have to invest in your business.
Then you must carry out Market Research either by yourself or by marketing professionals. This will allow you to assess your competitors and the catering industry.
Create Business Plan for bank
Create Competitive Strategy
Location would be the next factor to consider
Contact Environmental Health Advice and then register with them
Talk to suppliers for discounted rates
Contact businesses and offer to provide catering
Prepare presentation for businesses you are wanting to provide catering for in the future
Lastly, remember businesses run on good reputations from customers so ensure you provide excellent services for every business you are providing catering services for.
IC: How do you adhere to Health and Safety and Food Standards regulations everyday in the catering industry?
Mike: You could carry out the following tasks regularly:
Manuals and posters supplied to staff explaining the regulations and also stating that they are responsible if the regulations are not adhered to.
On going staff training on all regulations
Managers making sure staff are following regulations
Keeping up to date with the Environmental Health.
IC: And finally: What does it take to make a successful catering business?
Mike: This is what is required to make a successful catering business:
Above all Reputation of a good job done.
