How to Open & Operate a Financially Successful Personal Chef Business: With Companion CD - ROM Review

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(More customer reviews)Carla and Lee Rowley's HOW TO OPEN & OPERATE A FINANCIALLY SUCCESSFUL PERSONAL CHEF BUSINESS pairs a cd-rom of details offering all the forms in the book with a pre-written, editable business plan in MS Word format for personal chefs interested in starting their own company. From assessing basic equipment to defining a client's special food requirements, it's an excellent handbook for any considering opening their own personal chef company.


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According to the U.S. Department of Labor one of the fastest growing segments of the food service business is providing professional personal chef services. Personal chefs can expect to make between $100 and $400 a day every day. Until recently having a chef prepare food for you and your family was considered a luxury for only the wealthy. Today, many individuals and families have discovered that a personal chef service is an affordable, timesaving, and healthy alternative to the stress and time constraints of working to put a wholesome, economical, and tasty meal on the table every night. A personal chef offers a professional service of meal preparation. A client's individual tastes drive the creation of their customized menu. These personalized meals are prepared either in the client s home or your catering kitchen and then packaged, labeled, possibly delivered, and stored in the refrigerator or freezer. Most services include complete grocery shopping, customized menu planning, and storage in oven/microwavable containers. Families in which both spouses work, singles and couples who work long, hard hours, seniors who would rather not or cannot cook anymore, gourmets who love to cook but who do not always have the time, and individuals that have medical conditions, such as wheat/gluten intolerance, milk or other sensitivities, diabetes, or high blood pressure, who require specialized meals will seek your services. This book will not teach you how to cook, although there are some sample menus. What you will learn is all the aspects of starting your business, pricing your products, marketing your business, and conducting your day-to-day business operations. This comprehensive new book will show you step-by-step how to set up, operate, and manage a financially successful personal chef business. The author has left no stone unturned in explaining the risky business of food service. The book covers the entire process of a personal chef business from startup to ongoing management in an easy to understand way, pointing out methods to increase your chances of success and showing you how to avoid the common mistakes that can doom a startup. The new companion CD-ROM contains all the forms used in the book in PDF format for easy use, as well as a detailed business plan, which will help you precisely define your business, identify your goals, and serve as your firm's resume. The basic components include a current and pro forma balance sheet, an income statement, and a cash flow analysis. While providing detailed instructions and examples, the author leads you through finding a location that will bring success (in your home or a rented kitchen), managing and training employees, accounting and bookkeeping procedures, auditing, successful budgeting, and profit planning development, as well as thousands of great tips and useful guidelines. You also will learn how to draw up a winning business plan, how to set up computer systems to save time and money, how to hire and keep a qualified staff, how to generate high profile public relations, and how to keep bringing customers back. In addition, you will become familiar with basic cost control systems, profitable menu planning, successful kitchen management, equipment layout and planning, food safety and Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP), low cost marketing ideas, and low and no cost ways to satisfy customers and build sales. This new book covers everything that many companies pay consultants thousands of dollars for. PCRs, as those in the business are nicknamed, will appreciate this valuable resource and reference it in their daily activities as a source for ready-to-use forms, Web sites, operating and cost cutting ideas, and mathematical formulas that can be easily applied to their operations.

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Bathroom's Down the Hall (Or Roomers I have Known) Review

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(More customer reviews)I grew up in the town where "Bathrooms" takes place...I remember the Johnston family, the house they lived in, and several of the interesting characters he mentions...this is a humerous, and very creative piece of work. I was reminded of Garrison Keiller's writing as I read "Bathrooms"...it is every bit as good as anything Garrison has ever written.

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Mr. Johnston's rollicking account of his mother's life with paying guests will make the reader regret that home was never like this. This lively tale is more than a record of madcap antics in a transient rooming house. It is a history of the 1920's and '30's as reflected by the life and growth of a Dakota town.

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Lodging in Spain's Monasteries Review

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(More customer reviews)The information in this reference book is very good. The text and photos are informative. The one missing link is a map or series of maps that would help the reader orient him/herself.
I recommend it for adventurous travellers.

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The only guide to Spanish monastery lodging for American tourists. These historic monasteries, beautiful centuries-old castles, villas and abbeys, are • immaculately renovated • welcome to visitors of all faiths • peaceful and safe • very inexpensive: one night w/meals is $20The monks and abbesses embrace visitors as family for the duration of their stay. The food is hearty, wholesome and generous - and many monasteries are filled with priceless, rarely-seen art. The book offers a wealth of unbiased, in-depth information so tourists can choose the prefect destinations. From Madrid to the white cities and everywhere in between, Spain has never been so affordable and authentic. • compiled from personal interviews with residents and staff of each monastery • detailed guides to local towns and sights • brief history of each locale • overview of accommodations and prices

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Various Dwellings Described in a Comparative Manner: Being a Collection of Comparative Descriptive Drawings in Perspective of Thirty-five Dwellings of Significance from Around the World Review

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(More customer reviews)The title says it all, really...
"Various dwellings described in a comparative manner, being a collection of comparative descriptive drawings in perspective of thirty-five dwellings of significance from around the world with an appendix of additional plans, all to the scale of 1:384 which is one inch equals thirty-two feet, with an additional seven site plans at 1:1200, drawn by fifteen second year architecture students of the School of Design, North Carolina State of the University of North Carolina at Raleigh."
An oblong hardback full of plan views and elevations, executed back in the good old days when drafting was done by hand. Buildings include:
- The Alhambra
- Chateau de Coucy
- an Egyptian house
- Greens Farms
- Mulberry Castle
- Casa de M. Obellio Firmo
- a Chinese Merchant's House
- Palazzo Riccardi-Medici
- Unite d'Habitation
- David Lloyd Wright House
- Palace of Knossos
- Monticello
- Pelasgian House

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Algonquin Cat Review

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(More customer reviews)While this book is very collectible for the wonderful illustrations by Hillary Knight, the story itself of a cat named Hamlet who lives at the famous Hotel Algonquin in New York City is very charming. Hamlet endears himself to the hotels many guests and famous personages, and being a cat, sees everything that the humans do not always see. When something goes missing, it is Hamlet that may be able to save the day. Great book for cat lovers.

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Residing at the famous Hotel Algonquin in New York City, Hamlet the cat befriends the hotel's many famous guests, and becomes a silent witness to many special secrets, some of which enable him to set a mystery straight.

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10,000 Drinks: How to Turn Your Basement Into the Most Happening Bar in Town Review

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(More customer reviews)As an avid home bartender, I frequently find myself answering requests for "Can you make X?" I have several excellent bar tending resources, but I often find they lack recipes for "popular" drinks. This book has it all... finding it can be tricky though, because of the clever (or frustrating) way in which the recipes are organized. The book is divided into 20 or so major sections, such as "Tall drinks", "Cocktails", and "Shots and Shooters". Some of the major sections refer to a particular ingredient ("Champagne Drinks") while others refer to the way the drink is made ("Depth charges"). The author's stated purpose is that the book be used for browsing and discovering, rather than merely as a reference. I find this to be a pretty ingenious way of breaking things down. The big problem comes into play when you know the name of a drink, but not what's in it. The book lacks a major index by drink name. Rather, the index is broken down by ingredients (e.g., vodka, whiskey, etc.) If you know one of the ingredients (drinks may appear in more than place in the index) then you're okay. But, if you remember having something at your favorite bar but don't know any of the ingredients, then you'll have a harder time finding it. My test was to locate a Manhattan in the book. It doesn't appear in the index under Jack Daniels, Jim Beam, Rye, or Vermouth, but only under the "Whiskey" heading.
All in all, I think the book is great, and has just about everything under the sun. It's an excellent addition to any home bar. Only reason not five stars is that the index could be better.

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Martinis, cocktails, shots and shooters, hot drinks and coolers, mind-erasers, and even luscious alcohol-free libations: with this hugely delicious collection, anyone can become a mix-master par excellence! The 10,000 tempting recipes feature everything from champagne- and wine-based drinks to beer, liquor-infused coffees, and iced-teas. Some come blended and frozen; others have distinct layers of ingredients that offer an array of flavor sensations. Capture the taste of the Islands with a Barbados Planters Punch; go X-rated with a Kiss Down Under; or enjoy a dramatic flaming Fiery Blue Mustang. In addition to the drinks, the guide includes a complete rundown of bartending techniques, a list of must-have equipment, advice on stocking a bar, and a glossary of every drink type you’ll need to know.

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Great Wisconsin Taverns: 101 Distinctive Badger Bars (Trails Books Guide) Review

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(More customer reviews)This book is a great resource if you find yourself traveling thru Wisconsin. It lists taverns by city that are worth stopping at.

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Bed & Breakfasts and Country Inns 22nd Edition Review

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(More customer reviews)this book gives you a great selection of bed and breakfasts around the country and a certificate for a free second night's stay - you can't beat it! my husband and i go to a B&B every anniversary, so we already know we will be staying one night. that second night makes all the difference and this book makes it possible. we sent my parents for a two night get-away, made possible by the certificate in the additional book we purchased.
each B&B has a brief description as well as a list of rates, amenities, bed sizes, number of rooms, innkeepers' names, and meals included and offered. even after you use the certificate, it is a valuable resource for deciding where to spend your next retreat.

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A certificate for ONE FREE NIGHT on your next visit to any inn listed in this guide. A value of $50.00 to $650.00. An easy-to-use reference to carefully selected participating inns. Detailed listings of inns in all 50 states, Canada and U.S. territories. State maps locating each inn. More than 300 illustrations. Index of inns with special significance, such as inns in lighthouses, former school houses, and Safari type inns.

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Wisconsin's Best Breweries and Brewpubs: Searching for the Perfect Pint Review

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(More customer reviews)This book is a must for anyone that enjoys fine crafted beer.

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This information-packed guidebook introduces you to more than sixty breweries and brewpubs-from the Shipwrecked Brew Pub in Egg Harbor, to smaller craft breweries like Capital Brewery west of Madison, to the world-famous Miller Brewing Company of Milwaukee. Robin Shepard includes descriptions and his personal ratings of some 600 local beers, plus a taster's chart you can use to record your own preferences.For each brewpub and brewery site you'll find:€a description and brief history, plus any "Don't miss" features€names, comments, and ratings for all their specialty beers€notes on the pub food, with recommendations€suggestions of other sites to see and activities in the local area€information about bottling and distribution€availability of tours, tastings, gift shops, mug clubs, and "growlers"€address and contact data, including Web sites and GPS coordinates!Shepard also introduces novices to the brewing process and a wide variety of beer styles. And, you'll find a list of helpful books and Web sites, as well as information on Wisconsin beer tastings and festivals. As we say in Wisconsin, "So, have a couple a two, three beers, hey?"

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Open For the Season Review

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(More customer reviews)A classic work on the golden age of American hotels. Should be required reading for everyone in the hospitality business.

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Good Beer Guide to Belgium (Good Beer Guide Belgium) Review

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(More customer reviews)With the Good Beer Guide Tim Webb does a superhuman job chronicling the staggering array of breweries, beers, and bars in the Benelux region. I took a trip to Netherlands and Belgium expressly for the beer and for me the book was indispensible. It is organized and indexed very well.
If you are reading this review you are likely at least somewhat interested in Belgian beer and if you are, then you probably can't afford not to use this guide. Not all beers or bars are created equal, even in Belgium. With a limited time and traveler's budget it would be impossible to have savored as many beers as I did without Webb's help.
Because the Benelux countries are among the most pleasant in the world and easiest to get around and travel in, you will not even need a Lonely Planet or Rough Guide--the important stuff (the beer!) is in Tim Webb's book. You can easily find hotels, sightseeing info, and food when you are there, because the region is highly traveler-friendly. However, many of the local beer menus include thousands of offerings and so you can imagine how a guidebook like this might come in handy.
The Good Beer Guide to Belgium will also help you decipher those book-long beer menus and select the right brew for you. With the guide in hand you also might find yourself in towns and villages you never would have visited otherwise, because you were drawn there for a Trappist monastary or a special little bit of brewing history. There are a smattering of other beer guides to the region but none even come close to this one!


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First published in 1992, the Good Beer Guide to Belgium has developed a cult following among committed beer lovers and beer tourists. It is the definitive, totally independent guide to understanding and finding the best of Belgian beer and an essential companion for any discerning beer drinker visiting Belgium or seeking out Belgian beer in Britain. With details of the 120 breweries and more than 800 beers in regular production, 500 of the best hand-picked cafes, and every known brewery tour, beer festival, and museum of brewing, this is the definitive guide to Belgian beer, whether you are touring by train, bicycle, car, or armchair.

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Cooking for Fifty: The Complete Reference and Cookbook Review

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(More customer reviews)A good guide for a cook who cooks for crowds. It is well written with buying guides, menus, and recipes. It will me a great help to my kitchen.

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A sourcebook of 300 contemporary, healthful recipes and references that balances common sense with uncommon ideas. Includes nutrient breakdowns for all recipes, alternative instructions for microwave, food processors and other time-saving equipment as well as realistic food costs for a wide range of operations and budgets. The reference section contains a brief course on cooking techniques, conversion charts, equipment capacities, cooking times, recipe reduction and expansion tables and both U.S. and metric measurements.

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Moon Italy (Moon Handbooks) Review

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(More customer reviews)Moon Italy is a necessary companion for the serious traveler in Italy. Alexei Cohen provides fresh and first-hand descriptions of familiar landmarks like looking over his shoulder and adds interesting and useful background information about history, politics, and local customs. His style is easy to read. A thorough index makes it easy to sort through voluminous details to find specific information. Moon Italy is a complete textbook for travelers looking for current and up-to-date information.

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Travel writer and Rome resident Alexei Cohen offers an insider’s view of Italy, from exploring the often-empty Palazzo Pitti in Florence to biking around the ancient walls of Lucca. Alexei provides great travel strategies for enjoying all that this world-class destination has to offer, such as the Best of Italy in 10 days and, for those who enjoy spas and relaxation, La Bella Vita. Packed with information on dining, transportation, and accommodations, Moon Italy has lots of options for a range of travel budgets. Every Moon guidebook includes recommendations for must-see sights and many regional, area, and city-centered maps. With guidance on everything from climbing Western Europe’s highest peak on the Monte Bianco cable car to donning a costume for the Carnival of Viareggio, Moon Italy gives travelers the tools they need to create a more personal and memorable experience. With expert writers, first-rate strategic advice, and an essential dose of humor, Moon Handbooks are the cure for the common trip.

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Necklace of Kisses: A Novel Review

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(More customer reviews)Fans of Weetzie and friends from the early 1990's will love seeing them all again facing modern issues. Secret Agent Lover Man has been depressed since seeing the twin towers burn, and there are no more kisses in the marriage, so Weetzie sets out to the pink hotel of her high school prom to find some magic. Her adventures are a delight to the senses, filled with exotic people, foods, tastes, jewels, and Weetzie's bright sense of fashion.
Everyone who loved the first magical world of Weetzie will not be disappointed. She has matured, and she deals with modern issues (including dishing about Botox), but her adventures are every bit as magical as before. I admire Block for creating a middle-aged heroine who is just as snazzy as she was in her 20's. Block also brings us back to the music Weetzie grew up on, which is a fun romp down memory lane.
Witch Baby really comes into her own in this novel, and in a reading by author Block to promote this book, she hinted that she was feeling there was more to the Witch Baby story, and another book might be forthcoming.

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The Professional Chef's Art of Garde Manger Review

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(More customer reviews)This book is a complete professional's guide to understanding and putting into practice the art of garde manger. This was my textbook in culinary school for garde manger class, and it covers all the essentials from sausage making, cold salads, and hot hors d'oeuvres to platter design, edible and nonedible garnishes and decorations, and classical buffet presentations. It may not be suitable for the casual cook, but as a professional guide to the garde manger, it is very thorough.

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Professional chefs and culinary students have long relied on this classic culinary text to provide a thoughtful and comprehensive guide to cold and hot food preparation. The exciting Fifth Edition of this unique guide includes:
Updates on the role of the garde manger chef to reflect the growing trend toward healthy eating.
Lavish color photographs in a 16-page full-color insert.
Exciting salads and vegetarian pates and terrines.

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Little Chapel on the River: A Pub, a Town and the Search for What Matters Most Review

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(More customer reviews)"Little Chapel on the River", a delightful book by Gwendolyn Bounds, is a story of three families....the Guinans, who run the local pub and store, the extended Guinan family (patrons, mostly) of Garrison, New York and the family of the author, herself. It's a "feel good" book in the best possible sense.
Having been displaced by the attacks on 9/11, Wendy and her girlfriend, Kathryn, are introduced to the tiny hamlet of Garrison just across the river from West Point. Within a short time, Wendy has begun to make friends at Guinan's and ends up being a part of the entourage that makes its way into Guinan's each morning and evening. Along the way, the author finds more than a few things about herself as she begins to piece together what's missing from her life.
Bounds is enticingly descriptive about the characters she meets at Guinan's. Some, naturally, are small town skeptics regarding this new face in the crowd but without giving much more than an inch, Wendy finds herself enmeshed in their lives as they become her new friends, far from the roaring din of Manhattan. There's Fitz, a former U.S. federal marshal and Vietnam war veteran who likes to butt heads with Dan Donnelly, the "limousine liberal" lawyer. Jane and Mary Ellen form a duo of town females who help out at the pub and enjoy Guinan's to the fullest. Their loyalty is never questioned. The list of patrons goes on. The real story, though, centers around the Guinan family....Jim, an emigré from Ireland and his four children. This is indeed a family that despite its ups and downs is a close-knit unit that takes care of its own...and while they're doing so, take care of everyone else, too. Having been drawn into the life of a small, warm place, Wendy, Kathryn and their "bonus puppy", Dolly, decide to make Garrison their home. Even Governor George Pataki has a cameo role in this book.
The author keeps a good pace throughout and one gets a terrific insider's view of life at Guinan's. To say "Little Chapel on the River" has a happy ending does not in any way betray or diminish Bounds's writing. Rather it enhances it, I suspect, because goodness begets goodness and there's plenty of it here. One hint that might help the reader enjoy the book even more... most of the "action" takes place in the hours of darkness, so reading this book at night gives it more meaning and consequence.
I applaud Gwendolyn Bounds and her "Little Chapel on the River". Guinan's is a place that time has not so much passed by, but preserved. The author has done a magnificent job in relating the tales that go on in this little place on the Hudson.

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Serve 'Em Right: The Complete Guide to Hospitality Service Review

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(More customer reviews)This book is a must have for anyone that wants to run an effective and professional business. Mr Solomon was one of the smartest business personal that I have ever known and he has the experience to lead any business owner to an outstanding reputation and profit. Read this and learn from it.

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The bible of a growing restaurant industry.The only book on the market that teaches HOW TO PERFORM PROFESSIONALLY, STEP BY STEP.Ideal for operators of culinary, hospitality schools.Hotels and restaurants can hire and train easily and quickly with consistency. They call it "clear, concise,intelligent." People don't come back to sloppy service.If a person wants to be a sales/service professional this bookwill make him/her a lot of money !

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