Hidden Restaurant Info (and how to use it in a stage or interview)
Interviewing at restaurants, whether it’s a stage, trail or working interview can be intimidating and shrouded in mystery - but you can use some surprisingly easy strategies to combat that.
For restaurants that don't have massive administrative resources (or just don't have the interest level) for sharing their menu(s) online, it can be difficult to plan for what you’re walking into.
Finding the menu
When I used to stage, during my train ride to NYC (back in culinary school), I used to spend that 90 minute trip (listening to Drake to pump myself up, and) going on the restaurant's website to get their most up-to-date menu. This helped me in two ways:
I could prepare myself to anticipate ingredients/preparations that I might be tasked with prepping. For me, this menu-browsing would often also include the Google searching of ingredients like salsify, nettles, sea buckthorn, or "Sauce Choron" that I hadn't quite been taught about yet in school.
It was "micro" studying the menu, as well as "macro" studying of food in general.
During the stage, I could instantly stand out by asking better questions. When I was asked to go grab young coconuts from the walk-in, I'd say, "Are these the coconuts for the lobster dish?" and the person I was paired up with would say, "They are...how did you know that?"...😏
So those are the benefits, but I haven't shared the solution yet to our problem: how do we find the dishes if the menu isn't posted online and the restaurant isn't that active on social media?
Allow me to introduce: tagged photos on Instagram.
If the restaurant is reasonably popular (or marketed as an "experience"), guests are probably excited about eating there (or want to flex on the 'gram that they're enjoying the meal).
When they get tagged on someone else's photo, you're able to see those pictures/videos in a separate feed (see photo below ⬇️)
Finding dishes and menus at Atera in NYC
As of writing this, it’s the far right tab above the main feed on Instagram (circled in yellow)
I've experienced LOADS of value from doing research with the information from this feed:
Names of staff members (sous chefs, FOH, somms, porters)
Ingredients being used
Video tours of the kitchen
Purveyors or names of farms
Table-side presentations in-action
If you've ever gotten a short-and-direct email back confirming a stage that doesn't have a ton of supplemental info, for example:
"Arrive at 1pm. Wear black pants and black shoes. Bring chef knife, paring knife, peeler. Enter in the back alley on 4th St."
...this might be your way to do a bit of extra research to help make a great first impression...or even just decrease your anxiety heading into the experience!
In Summary
For those eager to make a lasting impression during a restaurant stage or interview, leveraging Instagram's tagged photos for insights into menu items, kitchen culture, and ingredient usage can be a game-changer. By demonstrating a proactive approach and familiarity with the establishment's offerings and team, candidates can stand out in the competitive hospitality industry. Stay ahead by embracing innovative research strategies to enhance your preparation and confidence in securing your next culinary opportunity.
Want a free email template on how to contact restaurants and reach out to chefs? We’ve got a free downloadable template for you!
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