Stay True To Your Vision
If you are a follower of the Bravo show Top Chef, you got to see first hand a lesson in what happens when you don’t follow your own vision. In the season finale Carla was paired with previous Top Chef contestant Casey Thompson. Casey made several suggestions which Carla took, even though it was not the style of food that got her to the finals. The end result was that the meal was a failure, and it ultimately cost Carla the title of Top Chef.
Since the airing of the final episode, there has been a lot of debate over who was to blame, but the final responsibility rests squarely on Carla’s shoulders. It was her contest. She was the one responsible for her own success or failure.
That translates directly to your restaurant. Failing to follow what you know is right can lead you your restaurants failure.
I’ve written before about my experiences with a restaurant owner that was constantly tinkering with the menu in an attempt to please every customer that walked through the door. The result was frustration from both the staff and returning customers. The sauce that was delicious on their previous visit had been changed, and now wasn’t nearly as enjoyable for them. The result was a once happy customer that is now dissatisfied, and may or may not return.
As a restaurant owner or manager you need to have a clear vision of what you want your restaurant to be. That includes everything from the decor, the menu design, the recipes that are being used, and the style of service.
Restaurant failure is usually the result of you not being in control of your business. Whether it is allowing food to come out of the kitchen that does not meet your standards, failing to train your staff, or failing to keep your costs under control.
Your restaurants success or failure is your responsibility. Do you want to give control of that to someone else?
