- The people.
Some would say that you’d have to be mad to be either a chef or a restaurateur – and there’s a delicious truth in that. Because this is a business where creativity, entrepreneurship and optimism all converge… Every successful owner needs a mix of energy, personality, leadership, innovation and dedication (not to mention a good business brain) to succeed. And all that means there are interesting characters behind every restaurant door.
- The shock of the new.
Remember when the concept of ‘street food’ seemed almost revolutionary? Whether it’s the cronut, the Impossible burger or poke, nothing really should surprise us about the restaurant industry because it’s in a constant state of flux. With new cuisines, new interior aesthetics and new ways of operating, these ever-spinning plates of fresh trends, fads and styles mean that restaurants are always changing, always evolving. Which is a very good thing indeed…
- The terrible odds.
There’s nothing better than defying the odds. And running a successful restaurant is certainly bucking the odds. We won’t go into the statistics here – but the chances are that most restaurants won’t survive for more than three years of trading. Who would go into a business sector with the volatility of such numbers against them? Only those that really love what they do…
- The ancient art.
Even the Ancient Greeks and Romans had their thermopolias (small L-shaped restaurant-bars that offered food and drinks to customers). Their popularity was linked to the lack of kitchens in many dwellings and the ease with which people could purchase prepared foods. Furthermore, eating out was considered an important aspect of socialising. It still is. And always will be. The fact is that it’s a business that will always be needed – however much Deliveroo and Uber Eats etc might disrupt the market, the fundamentals remain – we like to eat with others in places other than our homes. After all, a first date will always need a venue. We all yearn to be a welcomed guest.
- The personal nostalgia.
We can all remember a time when a restaurant provided the perfect backdrop to a special occasion – so these places and spaces become ingrained in our individual psyches. From first dates to affairs to family landmarks to business deals, whatever the circumstances, there’s usually a restaurant, bar, hotel or café where the action takes place. Like backdrop sets where scenes of our lives play out, they remind us of who we once were. Because we can picture being around that table, how we felt then and who we were with (even when those people are no longer around).
- The excitement.
There’s good reason why TV shows like The Restaurant and Million Pound Menu are such compelling viewing. And it’s because a new restaurant is like show-biz for the high street. Everyone wants to live somewhere with great restaurants to choose from. And owners love the buzz of opening night – there’s simply nothing like it. So far in February 2020 alone, London has seen Indian Ocean cuisine make its mark with Hoppers in Kings Cross; nearby at The Courtyard at Goods Way, there’s a new food hall which includes vegan game-changers Temple of Seitan. Elsewhere in town, New York-based baking superstar Dominique Ansel (the man behind the cronut) has opened a new concept restaurant in Covent Garden – while Nigerian tapas at Chuku’s is about to become the Next Big Thing (and don’t we all love those) for those who venture up to Tottenham High Road. And that’s just London last month.
What makes the restaurant business so special for you? Please share with us here at Table Talk…