Over at Quora, there is a lively debate about Chef Gordon Ramsay, one of the most visible and most awarded professional chefs today.
Often portrayed as a quick-tempered perfectionist who is prone to using cuss words, the real Gordon Ramsay is far removed from this image. Apart from his culinary skills, Ramsay has endeared himself to his fans because of his knowledge and genuine warmth. He created even more fans once, thanks to his heartfelt response to an aspiring chef who was having a crisis of waning passion for his craft.
The discussion over at Quora mulls the question of whether Ramsay is a good chef. Judging from the flood of responses, caterers can pick a few lessons from the chef’s stellar career. Indeed, you may not earn Michelin Stars running a catering business, but you can certainly become a better caterer by following some of the steps he took in his illustrious career as a chef and business magnate.
Sometimes, leaving the trenches can make you a better leader
One Quora member argued that a great chef has the unique ability to run a kitchen smoothly on a day-to-day basis. Ramsay, on the other hand, left this task to his trusted lieutenants, allowing him to focus on the business side of things.
Certainly, not every caterer has the luxury of handing critical tasks over to his subordinates. What is well worth considering is the idea of delegating a few key tasks that will give you ample time and energy to focus on other matters involved in operating your business.
Look for the right people
You cannot simply delegate vital tasks to anyone, either. Ramsay, for his part, had a good eye for talent. He is credited for finding, helping and mentoring some of the best chefs manning award-winning kitchens today. In turn, by helping these up-and-coming talents, he was able to focus on the business side of things and even parlay his reputation to break into the entertainment industry.
For caterers, this means that entrusting key tasks to a select few can help your catering business grow further. However, you should choose wisely.
Investing in a digital tool
When you are just starting out in the catering business, or even if you already have a few years of experience tucked under your belt, you may not be able to have the same resources that will allow you to delegate a few critical tasks to your staff. In lieu of this, you can use catering management software that will allow you to do more in less time. These include tracking expenses and costs, organization, and the creation of winning proposals. In turn, this allows you to gain more time and mobility.
