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KEEP IT COMFY, GREEN & CLEAN!
Diane Chiasson has been consulting for North America's leading restaurant, foodservice, hospitality and retail owners and operators for over 25 years. She has seen it all and she tells us that cleanliness is paramount.
• Guests won’t forget a dirty patio. Wipe down your tables and chairs, clean your cushions, remove bird droppings and spills, and keep the ground swept. Your patio is a re ection of your values as an establishment.
• An outdoor heating system can extend the life of your patio season by months.
• Umbrellas that block sunlight (guests don’t like to melt on your patio in the afternoon sun), and provide shelter
from rain are a must. Branded umbrellas may be provided to you by one of your beverage suppliers! Or consider investing in your own branded umbrellas—your brand visibility is always important.
NO PATIO? NO PROBLEM
• Have ambient lighting which allows guests to read the menu, see one another and their food, but which is still pleasant.
• Hire a local gardener to take charge of your plants daily because you’re probably too busy to do it. Otherwise nd some beautiful faux plants to adorn your patio, but keep them clean. Murphy Hospitality Group has won awards for its beautiful ora, sourced locally and lovingly main- tained by local gardeners. Murphy credits these patio gardens with being a huge draw and conversation piece for guests.
FOOD DAY CANADA
The celebration of Canadian food goes nation-wide on Aug. 5, 2017, with Food Day Canada. Founded by Anita Stewart—Universi- ty of Guelph Food Laureate and Member of the Order of Canada—in 2003, Food Day Canada began as a response to US sanctions on Cana- dian beef exports. Now it’s a year-round con- versation around Canadian ingredients that culminates in an extraordinary, one-day event every August. Chefs and home cooks are in- vited to share their food and their stories with one another, using only Canadian ingredients to create a simple dinner or a grand feast. In honour of Canada 150, Stewart is publishing a much-anticipated, updated list of 150 Canadi- an foods and ingredients. Number one on the list last year? Tap water.
fooddaycanada.ca
Build your high-season business like you have a patio, even if you don’t!
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Add mini LED lights to the exterior of your building or to trees on the property to attract attention.
Consider a high, narrow, colourful double-sided vinyl board listing your summer drinks and specials.
Set up an indoor, patio-themed seating area with umbrellas, patio tables/chairs, benches and all the trimmings.
Hire a trio of local musicians and have them playing regularly.
Embrace nostalgia. Prepare exotic, large-glass drinks, in unusual shapes, with fruit slices and paper umbrellas.
Think inside the box. Bring the outdoors into the dining space by installing windows that open up like doors. Create an indoor patio with removable or "garage-door" window systems.
Sometimes operators miss the obvious. Consider obtaining a couple of parking spots in front of your business, inquire as to the municipal by-laws and permits required.
Use your curb appeal. Dress up your exterior with beautiful owers and planters. Guests will notice if you stand out.
Work the tables to ensure maximum turn over. Train your sta well, and boost your business during the high season.
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