Tuesday 15 July 2008

The Cost Of Learning






I spent a bit of time last year teaching at two TAFE colleges. Looking back, I think it was the single most influential event that helped me to decide to re-open the restaurant.
And I really have to thank the students for unknowingly helping me make that decision.
There was such a strong desire to experience the top end of the industry amongst them. But on an apprentice wage, or an overseas student living on a meagre kitchen hand rate, they could only do that by often sacrificing the rent or even more essential items from their very tight budgets.

I have been trying to get this idea up for many years but without a restaurant of my own to contribute to the scheme it has been a bit futile.

The pitch!
Most young food industry workers seldom get to experience the industry from the diner’s perspective.

The proposal!
A few like minded restaurants reward their most promising young trainee with a token that gives them $100 off the price of a meal and wine for 2 at one of the places in the scheme.
The restaurant that receives the token then passes it on to their most promising young person and so it goes on with the tokens circulating for as long as possible.
$100 will probably cover about half the meal so they will still need to contribute and indirectly learn the value of their work.

Anyone up for it?

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi George

Yes I think it is a grand idea and I have emailed links across to others who have expressed similar ideas in the past. I would be more than happy to fund such a token if it helped get it off and running.

Cameron Russell
www.ieatidrinkiwork.com.au

stickyfingers said...

It's a fantastic idea George, a wonderful way to keep the 'up and coming' inspired and motivated. You surely have an enormous heart, I really hope this idea gets off the ground.

Thermomixer said...

Yet another great idea George. I am sure there are many chefs who would be keen on this revolutionary idea on training.

grocer said...

BRILLIANT idea!

Anonymous said...

An excellent idea George, might I borrow it for here?

George Biron said...

No problem Mr.G
I have seen it work well in London in the eighties. The beauty of the scheme is that it dosen't really cost anything. The restaurant benfits by the experience that is gained as does the trainee.
Good luck with it.

George Biron said...

Hi Cam
I hope we can get some interest?