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The First 7 Seconda!
During my business career in New York City, time is money and being in the New York environment forced me to evaluate a place of business and meeting clients in 7 seconds. Is the company making money Those 7 seconds allowed me to formulate an accurate judgement of the place of business as well as size up the clients that I had to deal with. The place of business told me how effective management was involved in developing that impression. Is there ample cashflow to make the premises comfortable? Is the company making money. BUT, sometimes looks can be deceiving especially when it comes to the product being made. If there is a establishment but looks run down but generating lines at the door for lunch and/o dinner, then this premise doesn't apply. On the other hand, you can have a great product but service sucks, totally unprofessional, ungroomed, rude, and has attitude issues, sarcastic and such. Or the place is oil, sticky and smelly. No great cuisine can handle these elements. So, what does an owner have to do, sales declining, reputation is bad, food is poor and complaints travel fast. Business is a cash business used to make money, improvements and creative foods to appease different generations. Today, now more than ever, our taste buds are being challenged by new cuisines, Its in our mindset to try something different, why not? at least we gave it a shot. Unfortunately, big business is looking at the bottom line, as long as the line of profitability is above the break even point, they are happy, but once the line dips into the red, all panic breaks loose. Time to create something different. but that great but they want to use the established methods for quicker service thinking that will appease customers. But have you lately noticed that more and more food establishments are taking the time cooking each order based on customers wants. It's now fresh, savory and non microwaved. They feel to see that there's no longer any appeal for microwaved heated up foods and deluged with lots and lots og goey cheese. But, they believe they have to spend hundred of thousands of dollars. not on the food but on the looks of the outside of the building. The food has been the same for decades and the competition has surpassed their lead and to offer minimum wage to untrained personnel. Once a leader now a lager. There's definitely something very wrong.. So, I believe with basic common sense business thinking I believe I can help business improve the bottom line. While I take the Summer off with cooking classes, how best can I offer my services as a consultant specializing in: -First visit is an overall of services being offered. -Analyze and evaluate the business by identifying the issues. -Review menu and offer improvements -Evaluate staff and training. -Food Preparation and pricing review. -Reduce inventory expense -Implement a plan of action -Offer food improvement -Offer sanitation compliance with State of Maryland -Monitor plan monthly Interesting I would say. Companies can save lots of money Guaranteed the first 7 seconds will generate a positive impression! Guaranteed By Chef Woo Can at www.chefwoocan.com #first7seconds, #7importantseconds. #chefwoocanbusinessconsultant Tarragon Butter on Grilled Steak
Marinating the steak is great, but sometimes rather than adding ketchup or A1 Steak sauce may drown out the marinated flavor. Sometimes , a simple addition like butter slightly softened with tarragon added and set in the refrigerator to firm up provides a different dimension of flavor. By Chef Woo Can at www.chefwoocan.com #tarragonbutterforsteak, #newwaytoaddflavortosteak Chef Woo Can Weekend Suggestion
The weekend is here. Yep, lots going on with the kids activities, shopping, cleaning house in an a/c home or apt or just spending time at the local pool. Eventually, you'll do some shopping and maybe a barbeque is on your mind, ribs or hamburgers, to steak or grill shrimp kabobs. In all, you'll be making a delicious fresh salad or purchase the salad bags. My suggestion, buy some herbs like mint, basil, dill, cilantro and to give your salad a kick of freshness and these herbs are good for you. You'll also notice with all those herbal flavors, you may not need a lot of salad dressing. By Chef Woo Can at www.chefwoocan.com #addherbstosalad, #chefwoocansaladsuggestion, #addherbstosalad, #basilmintcilantroherbsecrettosalad Canella's Italian Deli
9611 Bel Air Rd, Nottingham, MD Everyday when I come home from work, I can't help but notice Canella's Italian Deli. Well, curiosity drove me to visit this place where most have said its the best. I entered the place today and I have to say there was a strong stench like a backup occurred. Now, I don't blame the place for the misty odor but it did detract me from enjoying whatever aroma from the homemade food. I reviewed the menu, mostly hoagies, cold and hot, nice selection of salads. This was for lunch so I leaned towards a hot hoagie. As a Native New Yorker, its called a sub. My favorite hot sub was Italian sausage links with peppers and onions with a drizzle of olive oil and provolone cheese. I had to wait a little but when it came out, it was piping hot and the sub hero was crispy and chewy. It was one of the best sausage subs I had in awhile. I do like Jersey Mike's subs and Subway but the difference in Canella's is the sub roll. It was nice and crispy and soft and chewy. The sausage contents with onions and peppers was definitely piping hot. It was delicious so on a scale of 1 to 5 and 5 being the best, I have to give a "5" for the sub but a 2 on that terrible smell. I would visit this place again to give them a second chance. By Chef Woo Can at www.chefwoocan.com #Canellasreview, #chefwoosreviewofcanellas CR Wings
Bel Air, MD I haven't been to CR Wings for quite awhile. The other night after my daughter's swim practice, I was just not in a mood to cook when it was about 8 PM. Wanted something simple and easy and CR Wings came to mine. When I was here last, it was always good fresh food. Yes, it may take awhile to get my food but it was worth the wait. My daughter wanted the Asian sweet spicy and I got Ole Bay seasoning. Each order came in 10 pieces. The clerk was pleasant and very professional. We got onion wings too and the best of my memory, the onion rings were made fresh and not frozen. I have to venture a guess that CR Wings longevity is due to great service and fresh homemade wings, hot and fresh. My daughter and I had drinks while we were waiting, no, not beer but ice tea. But, you can order beer too. Finally, my name was called and our complete order was on the tray. Fresh, hot and crunchy. The ole bay was just perfect and the sweet spicy was drizzled on my daughter's portion. Sometimes, we have to appreciate the taste of chicken and CR Wings does it right. Whether I visited this place years ago, nothing has changed and its the best wing place I can say in Bel Air, MD. On a scale of 1-5 with 5 being excellent, I rate CR Wings as a "5". By Chef Woo Can at www.chefwoocan.com #Crwingsthebestinbelair, Chefwoogivescrwingsa5 Fallston Seafood
Fallston, MD I've written about this place before with rave reviews. Why? They have good food and never a bad experience. Good value, excellent service. Well, for Father's Day, we went there. although the fresh crabs were small, we ordered from the menu. It seems there was is a change of ownership. Menu was different but from what I can see they kept the reputation as it was when I visited them. I started with oysters on the half shell and the majority was freshly shucked but there might have been one or two pre shucked before. With oysters you can tell. No way to hide this. We did have dinner at around 7 PM, so its understandable. My daughter had clams casino and cream of corn soup. The soup was a little or a lot starchy. You can taste it but the main entrée I had the soft shell crab stuffed with crab imperial. The soft shell was fresh, not frozen. and the crab imperial was made with JUMBO lump crabmeat.. It was excellent and I don't use that term on a regular basis. First impression is important. My daughter had the Surf and Turf and the steak was perfect and the lobster was delicious. My wife had the crab cake and it was both delicious and tasty. Again, on a scale of 1-5 with 5 being the best, I rate this place a 4 1/2 because the cream of crab was kind of starchy flavor. By Chef Woo Can at www.chefwoocan.com #fallston seafoodexperience, delicousreviewfallstonseafood Cracker Barrel
Bel Air, MD I read an article about Cracker Barrel new introduction of Southern Fried Chicken. The company did all types of research to perfect the best fried chicken. It's sounded great and for being a Southern style restaurant and not have fried chicken on the menu seemed kinda unusual. I had the opportunity to visit the Cracker Barrel on Saturday after my daughter's swim meet. I was literally hungry for a nice lunch. With Cracker Barrel around the corner why not try their new fried chicken. Mine you I've had KFC, Royal Farms, Popeye's chicken and of course Chick Fil A. All have their pros and cons. So we went to Cracker Barrel. I am aware that this is the place for Southern cooking. and to boot, Saturday was fried chicken special. We entered with high anticipation since the company studied al sorts of recipes and tested it thoroughly. I saw a brochure before being seated but first I have to say Cracker Barrel Southern Hospitality was perfect. Friendly, personal and very professional. We were seated promptly especially on a Saturday I was expecting a long wait, but not so, We sat down to our table and reviewed the fried chicken brochure. You get 4 pieces of chicken, a breast, a thigh, a wing and drum stick, 2 sides with biscuit and cornbread. Looked scrumptious. The meal came and the chicken looked presentable . But at first sight the batter was kinda thick. It was definitely crunchy, took a bite and the chicken was moist, a little more pepper in the batter but seemed like a lot of salt was added. Don't get me wrong, the fried chicken was ok, but personally I didn't get the "Woo" effect. Seemed to me like it was regular fried chicken. Now, I haven't spent much time in the South and looking forward to doing so to try the true flavor of Southern Fried Chicken and maybe to my amazement the chicken at Cracker Barrel might be very close but I cannot say. On a scale of 1-5 with 5 being the best, I have to give Cracker Barrel a "3". It's crunchy which is important, chicken is juicy, a nice bit of pepper is good but very salty. By Chef Woo Can at www.chefwoocan.com #crackerbarrelreview, #friedchickenchefwoo, #crackerbarrelfriedchickenchefwoocan Sometimes I wonder about Business Decisions?
The food business is highly competitive. That's a fact. I get it, big business wants to purchase profitable entities and broaden their reach of the consumer. The various entities purchased would cover their bases for various consumer buyers. Eliminate the competition and the monopoly. Ok that's great but how much attention can management track progress of these entities. Allow these companies to run as they have always run. Don't change things as long as they are profitable. A lot of these acquired companies have done business for 50 years or more with very little changes and losing their grip to understand changes with the new generations. They just look at the bottom line numbers. if still in the black, then great Case in point, Kentucky Fried Chicken. A longtime and the best known brand in the world. Ok, there has been slight changes in their product but the original recipe has stayed the same. Don't get me wrong, I love the origal recipe. Crunchy has gone through slight changes but only until recently have they tried various regional styles of fried chicken but the Colonel as old as it is is still the brand recognition. The competition has come and gone and tried to give KFC a run for their money but not exactly that strong, until Popeyes Chicken. Crunchy and spicy, so delicious, then Chick Fil A changed the whole scenario. . Chick Fil A's secret, breast meat brined in a sodium solution, lightly breaded, add a pickle and provide a hamburger bun. Success was that simple. KFC's numbers were impacted. They tried to copy the Chic Fil A sandwich and they did make a superior one but the problem was they never communicated their new success. Now Chic Fil A is #1, have you visited one? It's clean, servers are young, energetic and happy. and willing to help you. Comfortable seating and always someone from Chick Fil A always cleaning. KFC, dirty, greasy, sticky, personnel, unhappy, unmotivated and just disgusting. Then Hark! KFC parent company truly believed that KFC's needed facelift, but the same ole food and the same old management. Money wasted, yep! Rather than understand the new trends, understand the new generation and most importantly understand the competition. KFC get's a "F". Never be comfortable, always improve and always be 1 step ahead of the game. Now, in my town of Bel Air, MD. KFC has been a long standing fried chicken place, lately, Chick Fil A has opened up and now Popeye will be coming soon. Bye Bye KFC, you blew it! By Chef Woo Can at www.chefwoocan.com #KFCfailure, # Poorkfcmgmt, #shameonyouKFC Leelynn's Dining Room and Lounge
9495 Annapolis Rd, Ellicott City, MD My Summer started by going to a new restaurant located in Ellicott City, MD. I was in the area on business and when it ended, I was very hungry and knowing I had a long drive ahead of me, I knew I'll be stuck in traffic for awhile. I met Kevin who also was attending the event and of course the conversation involved food. We mentioned Japanese and Indian since he is from the area but by chance the establishments closed at 3 PM and would reopen by 5 PM, getting ramped up for the busy Friday night dinner crowd. He mention Leelyn's dining, continental type food with the specialist of crab cakes, the best in Howard County for a couple of years straight and burgers too. We sat in the bar area. Both of us had obligations that night, my daughter had swimming and he had to take care of his baby daughter, so we needed to get served BUT it took quite awhile before we got our orders taken and getting served took about 40 minutes. I've always said that a good establishment has to balance excellent food with excellent service. Once we got our food, I literally had to woof it down. By the way I got the crab cake with sweet potato fries. I got more fries than crab cake. Honestly, the crab cake in my opinion wasn't all it was wrapped up to be, it was ok nothing to boast about, it wasn't even jumbo lump crab meat. Taste didn't have a unique flavor. No taste of Dijon mustard or ole bay seasoning at minimum. I had to rush my meal and it was sad that for my first restaurant review I have to give this establishment on a scale of 1 to 5 with 5 being the best a rating of "1" This opinion is based on the service and food. I hate being rushed and poor service. and lack of attention. I know it was Friday night but management knows to hire enough help to give that special attention to their customers. Kevin, who I dined with knew the owner and was surprised the owner never told the waiter or waitress to take care of us from a hospitality standpoint. As every knows Chef Woo Can gives each establishment one shot to wow me but Leelynn's didn't give that effect! By Chef Woo Can at www.chefwoocan.com #leelynnsreview, #chefwoocanreviewofleelynns Sugar is in everything we eat! Why?
I don't know about you but did you ever wonder why so many of us have type 2 diabetes? Hmmm, let's see, our lives are so busy, we try to make time to cook a healthy meal but just too darn tired after a full day of mental and physical stress from the job. So, what do we do, order take out, fast food or go to the market and purchase a prepackaged dinner. The quick fix! Now as you may know the food manufacturer, the fast food chains are in business to make a profit. The aim is to make their food so good, that we'll come back for more. and therefore they'll make more profits. In a nutshell, using the cheapest ingredients with no flavor and adding sugar to the mix to make it more appetizing, we ingest a tremendous amount of sugar. Sugar makes everything taste good. Our bodies are so use to having sugar as a major craving that when we do have a delicious vegetable or meat or fruit, we need that additional sugar to make it sweeter. Was this the situation in the 60's? The best that I can remember was one spouse was the bread winner, the economy was stable. Cooking was the old fashion way. There wasn't a need to add sugar because all produce was fresh, all meets were natural, no need to rush and microwave a quick meal. Today, everything we purchase in the supermarket has lots of sugar in it. Every prepackaged item has the most sugar. So with the politicians showing concern with our health, they show their efforts to control the sugary beverages we love so much and in most instances we are addicted to these sugary drinks. A combination of sugary drinks and fast food, prepackaged foods, its no wonder the rate of diabetes is going through the roof? What can we do? Take 2 steps back and find time to eat healthy. Do your own research and never rely on the food companies telling you they are thinking about your health.. Add to the mix of inactivity and you have a time bomb ready to explode! We try diets and for the first few months you see weight loss BUT they neve emphasize to you how to maintain the weight loss. They tell you to buy their meals but how unrealistic is that? What we need to do is eat 1 protein, 1 vegetable and 1 carbohydrate. Exercise to burn the excess calories. If your life is a relaxed style and you love carbs, you need to do ore exercise to burn the calories off. It's when eating carbs and no exercise will add weight. Do you ever feel your depriving yourself of all your favorites to eat.? Just evaluate your eating habits and cut back on portions, avoid processed foods and eat fresh as much as possible. You may say, so what if I have diabetes? One reason to clean up your act. If you have children, do it for them. You want to see them married don't ya or they want to enjoy your company and do things together. I'm a diabetic and I want to be there to walk my daughter down the aisle at her wedding. Aren't they worth living for? By Chefwoocan at www.chefwoocan.com #whysugar, #diabeticmeltdown, #chefwoosaysbecautious |
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