As many of us in the food-service industry I started working at a restaurant/hotel at 16. The managers who also happened to be the sons of the owner flirted and maybe even more with employees. I think most of us back then thought flirting was the way it was and blew it off. Basically, thoughts …

New Rules on Immigration Enforcement Could Affect Your Business With new rules on immigration enforcement by the Trump administration in play, now is the time for restaurant operators to make sure worker I-9 documentation is in order. The Department of Homeland Security on Feb 21 issued orders outlining President Trump’s plan for immigration enforcement, instructing …

Outdoor and evening dining seems to be getting darker and darker making it difficult to read menus. I enjoy having a margarita on outdoor patios, but when I can’t read the menu due to poor lighting it can be frustrating. Thank goodness for the flashlight on my phone! One option to “lighten things up”…Recently, I …

Cooking Temperatures The process of cooking is to raise the temperature of food to kill bacteria and other types of harmful pathogens/microorganisms/bacteria to a level where food is safe to eat. If the temperature of a food does not reach the temperature needed to kill the pathogens, a person consuming the food may become ill from foodborne …

Don’t get fined due to expired permits and certifications! Remember to check expiration dates for Food Manager Certification which is valid for *5 years and Food Handler registration which is valid for 2. For those that need to renew their food manager or food handler certification visit our class schedule. The food establishment permit is renewed …

The holidays provide an excellent opportunity to promote customer loyalty and attract new customers. There are many ways that businesses try to attract new customers as well as keeping current customers returning through loyalty programs. For example, rewards cards, food specials, sponsorships, and email marketing. Here’s a creative yet simple way of retaining customers. One …

Austin increases registration fees! Austin/Travis County Health & Human Services registration fees have significantly increased. The Food Manager Certificate of Reciprocity fees have more than doubled: $28 / 1yr $56 / 2yrs $84 / 3yrs $112 / 4yrs $140 / 5yrs. A Replacement copy of current City of Austin Food Manager Certificate is $14. The …

Watch out for “all-or-nothing” qualifier words questions, such as: no, never, none, every, always, all, only, entirely, invariably, and best. For example: a) Sanitizing removes all harmful microorganisms. b) Sanitizing reduces the number of microorganisms to safe levels. The answer is b) Sanitizing reduces microorganisms but not ALL microorganisms. 2.  As you read test questions: …

THE INTERVIEW: Reduce turnover by hiring the best employee for the job By Thornhill Training One of the best ways to cut turnover is to hire the right person for the job the first time. Clearly defining what kind of person you are looking for is THE most important step in hiring great employees and …