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Are Chefs Still Sexy? 24 April 2018
 Some five years back, I read a study which asked 2,000 people what they believed was the sexiest profession for a prospective partner. Twenty seven percent said that Chefs are sexiest. Yes, sexier than pilots, doctors, firemen and of course, lawyers. Chefs were top of the sweetheart tree.I hav... read more
The Basics 13 October 2017
Crippling writer’s block hit me like a heavy duty tenderising mallet this morning. So, as one does, I phoned a chef friend and asked what he found challenging and frustrating in his kitchen. Without a breath, he commented “Hickmore, many newly graduated chefs have no idea of the basics,&... read more
Chefs and Other Drama Queens 23 August 2017
They live amongst us, red faces contorted in anger contrasting against the white of a chefs uniform. Bad tempers and short fuses seem to be part of the territory, almost an acceptable quirk for a chef.Why do we tolerate swearing and histrionic shouting in the kitchen? Is it that the industry attract... read more
Chef As Superhero 10 May 2017
“In the endless reaches of the Grand Hotel, there once existed a kitchen that burned brightly like a baked Alaska from a degustation menu. There, civilisation was far advanced and it brought forth a race of ‘Superchefs’ whose mental and physical powers were developed to the absolut... read more
CV Bloopers 10 May 2017
Sometimes my day can be a little hectic reading through the hundreds of CV’s we receive from Hospitality Professionals. Most resumes we get are well thought out and professionally presented. But, occasionally we come across some gems that are destined for our “CV Bloopers” file. Th... read more
Is FoodPorn Good Publicity? 22 February 2016
It’s an epidemic! Badly taken photos of restaurant food emblazoned across the interweb. Restaurant Guests, heads down, more engaged with their photography than their fellow diners. Frantically snapping away with their smart phones from starter to dessert. Instagram, Facebook, twitter gobbling ... read more
Reduce Liabilities with an Outsourced Workforce 20 August 2015
Outsourcing your workforce is a smart business move for a number of reasons. Outsourcing began as a way to cut costs by reducing internal processes and hiring costs. Although outsourcing usually meant hiring a team in another location, you can now work with your own outsourced workforce.Increased Pr... read more
Is Talent Not Enough? 20 August 2015
When you watch a great musician or dancer on stage and you delight in their shear artistic genius, do you ever wonder if they passed their matric? As you are inspired by the music and the visual spectacle do you care if the artist passed Physics or Afrikaans second language?You don’t give a co... read more
Show Me the Money 19 August 2015
I am sure that you had the same career advice as me. Some jaded teacher at high school stared at you over his battered spectacles didn’t he?  Then he dropped the bombshell, if you choose a career as a chef, it was akin to a life of slavery and servitude.  Then, armed with this sage a... read more
Protect Your Floors with Specialised Floor Care 19 August 2015
Maintaining clean and damage free floors in your home or business can make all of the difference in how you’re viewed by clients and guests alike. In a professional setting, how your business is perceived can mean the difference between acquiring new, preserving current, and losing potential c... read more
Benefits of Professional Payroll Administration 18 August 2015
Managing your payroll can be challenging, especially if you are a small business that needs to keep a closely manage both costs and resources. It’s for this reason that you can benefit by payroll administration from a professional team. You can benefit from cost savings, as you won’t hav... read more
SA Service, Please! 18 August 2015
South Africans are a self-critical bunch. We have a lot to say about how poor our customer service is and imagine that there is this unattainable service level somewhere in Australia, Europe or the States.Whilst we grumble and moan, just about every visitor to our beautiful country wishes they could... read more