Friday, March 7, 2025
This one is close to my heart for a number of reasons. First, I worked in my previous career selling commercial printing before heading into the Hospitality business. So I love printing. Magazines, newsletters and periodicals. I read everything that I can get my hands on about what I do and our business. I a always looking for new and exciting ideas. I want to know what is going on in my industry both in my back yard and across the nation. And I get that information for free. By subscribing to a ton of trade periodicals! Almost all of the food purveyors you use can help you get these magazines mailed to you or sent to you online. Everything from FSR (Full Service restaurants) to PLATE (all about restaurants and center of the plate ideas) to Somm which is all about the wine. Restaurant Hospitality Magazine, Tasting Panel and nations Restaurants. That’s just a few and I don’t have the room in this blog to list them all. The point is, I get them all of the time. I generally will sit down with them and go through the articles and advertisements. I circle articles that pertain tom what we do, look for innovative dishes and recipes, check for statistics and trends and look for interesting takes on the state of the Hospitality industry by experts in the field. All of that in free trade publications that the publishers are happy to give you.Sometimes they ask for your thoughts on something or make offers on products that their advertisers provide. I answered one survey and won $250 in a gift card for my time. I want to know what the Boomers are doing, how to market to Millennials, what is Gen X drinking and what does Gen Z spend on the average dining trip. I don’t have the ability to get those numbers, and I don’t have to because someone did it for me. There are publications about design, about Liquor and spirits, about food, about service, catering ideas and menus, about up and coming chains and concepts. All you have to do is ask for them. I get them mailed to my managers and tell them that I want them reading as well. Sometimes I ask them what they thought about such and such an article just to make sure that they are reading. They are only and asset if you read them.
I also have a number of books that I’ve read. Danny Meyer’s “Setting the Table”. Jose Andre’s book. I read Jim Davis’ book on the creation of Sam Adams Brewery. And plenty more. Sometimes I come away with a pile of articles and quotes that help a ton. Sometimes I just see things like “The Best Burgers in America” or the “the Best sandwiches in America”. On those two, I sat down with the chef and we talked about replicating some of those award winning dishes. And there are times where nothing stands out. But that’s ok. It all about opening your mind up to what is going on around you. It’s a great asset to anyone who asks. Grab a soft chair and dig in. You may just learn something new.
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Father of Five , married to the love of his life for over 40 years and a business Card that reads; “The Idea Guy”, Steve lives in a world of creativity. He attended the University of Maryland where he majored in mass communications that help to fuel that creative streak. His Foray into Hospitality and his creative ideas and concepts has allowed him to have fun all of his professional career. He has owned five award winning restaurants and that has fueled his passion for “thinking out side of the box”. His restaurants have received accolades including “Top 100 in America” and Steve was named the State of Maryland’s “Restaurateur of the Year”. Steve has a passion for Philanthropy and his Restaurant Group has helped to raise over 7 Million Dollars for Charities. He is passionate about writing, public speaking and Maine Lobster with drawn butter.