Book Description

The menu is an essential part of any foodservice operation. Using the menu as a management tool in every area of operation--from planning the facility and purchasing food to promoting items to customers and providing exceptional service--can help ensure success. This book serves as a guide both to developing a menu and to using it as a control document. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

A must-read for the 'academic-traveler'!
I speak as both an academic and general reader when I say that Marguerite S. Shaffer's See America First: Tourism and National Identity, 1880-1940, is a "must-read" for anyone interested in travel, tourism, history, nature, marketing, and American culture in general. In December, I received Shaffer's book as a gift right before I went home for winter break - a time when most college students like myself would prefer not to even look at anything that resembles a textbook. However, I found that once embarking on the engaging text, I was hard-pressed to stop!

See America First opens with a passage straight out of a sentimental movie: it is the spring of 1892, and Methodist minister Stephen Merritt is leaving his home in New York City to venture across the country. He writes of his anticipation that he will "see the land (he) fondly call(s) (his) own" (1) on the tour to Alaska and California. Each chapter is introduced in an equally engaging manner, and sheds light on general themes. Shaffer's work is well-organized as it chronicles western tourism after the Civil War - as the nation tried to bind itself together after a divisive four-year struggle at the same time that the seemingly boundless west was rapidly finishing its settlement. As a culture, the nation wanted to create for itself a type of heritage that older European countries could proclaim - but remain unique in its identity. By connecting the emerging consumer culture in the United States with the marketing "national tourism," Shaffer presents a substantiated argument that the shared national identity of America and its values were actually inspired by popular Western mythology. The actual See America First movement thus serves as the bulk of her exhaustively researched work. We learn of the developments in transportation, technology, and communication that the government endorsed in an effort to reach its goal. However, Shaffer also affirms that this was not a "one-sided" lecture by commercialism - it was the foundation for a larger dialogue of values and ideals.

As a history and American studies major, I can't help but appreciate the fact that I now know how these "attractions" got their birth - and how the railroad, hotels, and leisure culture worked together to symbolize the ideal America. On an academic note, Shaffer's bibliography is very extensive - which is useful to anyone who would like to independently follow up on a particular aspect of her original research. Of course, there are also numerous visual features including postcards, photos, and advertisements ("The Call of the Mountains!...Vacations in Glacier National Park" proclaimed one that most readily comes to my mind), all of which served as a way for me to connect with those who enjoyed the national parks and west long before I did. Personally, that is the best part of See America First: it conjured up fond memories of my own trips out west with my family. Even though I was a youth, I remember a powerful sense of beauty, purity, and idealism as we spent time at Glacier, Yellowstone, and other National Parks.

On first reading, I flew through See America First too quickly, so I am now re-reading it just for enjoyment and additional nostalgia - and I am also making plans with my family to take another two-week tour this summer. I look forward to future books by Shaffer!

Mobile Citizenship
Gasoline prices falling. The automobile industry urging us to "Keep America Rolling." Chambers of Commerce and tourist bureaus asking us to do our patriotic duty: travel. The national parks opening their gates for free, offering a glimpse of the sublime in service of communal "healing." The aftermath of September 11? Yes, but as Marguerite S. Shaffer shows us in See America First: Tourism and National Identity, 1880-1940 (Washington, DC: Smithsonian, 2001), we've been down this road before.

Shaffer chronicles the rise of what she calls "national tourism" at the turn of the 20th century, in which touring was characterized as not only a ritual of American citizenship but also a form of "virtuous consumption" (39), the perfect melding of patriotism and commercial progress. In the wake of the Civil War, travel was promoted as a means of witnessing the unfolding of a flourishing, united nation: by "consuming" the national narrative through historical landmarks and the spectacle of nature, tourists were able to participate in a larger dialogue about personal and public memory (e.g., through scrapbooks and journals), individual and national identity. Of course, these patriotic questers required an America worthy of their efforts. Enter the See America First movement, which Shaffer describes as a "Western booster campaign" whose purpose was to establish the West as the geographical, commercial, and political equal of the Northeastern United States while simultaneously promoting the "ideal" West as the "true" America. See America First exploited the existing ideological infrastructure of Manifest Destiny to create a "canon" of American tourist attractions that embodied a distinct national mythology based on such nostalgic images as untamed nature, noble savages, and small-town life. Sustaining this mythology, however, required a massive physical infrastructure of roads, hotels, and tourist attractions--all heavily subsidized by boosters and government officials. Thus the marketing of the American West reified a cultural meaning of tourism that depended as much on an expansive rhetoric of commercialism as an expansive body of land.

Like all good histories, See America First not only reveals a vivid past but brings its themes to bear on our own urgent and fraught present. Two examples are particularly worthy of mention. First, Shaffer observes that in the unprecedented prosperity of the post-World War II era, tourism became less a patriotic rite of passage than "the ultimate quest for self-indulgent individual pleasure and hedonistic personal freedom in a culture of mass consumption that revolved around spectacle, fantasy, and desire" (320). These post-September 11 days represent the inverse of that situation: a lengthy period of economic expansion has come to an abrupt and painful end, and travel is being promoted as an antidote to the fear and unease caused by the terrorist attacks and a patriotic defense of "our way of life." Second, this re-emergence of national tourism as a form of virtuous consumption offers us a cautionary tale. For as Shaffer argues, "mobile citizenship . . . redefined political rights in consumer terms, celebrating seeing over speaking, purchasing over voting, and traveling over participating" (6). Given the recent bailout of the travel and tourism industry, the voluntary forfeiture of civil liberties in the name of the war on terrorism, and the daily exhortations to keep the world free for democracy by spending, spending, spending . . . this argument is as timely as it is original.

See America First is an academic book, but general readers should not be deterred. Meticulously researched, engagingly written, and generously illustrated with old photographs, postcards, and travel brochures, it should satisfy anyone with an interest in the period, the industries, or the themes at the heart of Shaffer's study, from tourists to travel literature aficionados, from collectors of tourist memorabilia to historians of the environment and consumer culture. ... Read more

Book Description

Andrew Wood is back from his ROAD TRIP AMERICA with his latest cross-country, road-tripping adventure: MOTEL AMERICA. Seeking out the charming, funky, and out-of-the-way mom-and-pop motels, MOTEL AMERICA is your off-the-beaten-path inspiration for vacations and weekend getaways with a retro flair. Wood offers up history, highlights, and loads of fun facts about his favorite sleepovers in all 50 states. From charming owners to offbeat locations, each of these motels is sure to make memories. So pack your bags, bring your sense of adventure, and check in to MOTEL AMERICA. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

a long day...a long drive...where do we stay?
a road trip full of neon childhood memories...

long day...long drive...where do we stay?
a delightful guide to motels we remember as children...
neon and all! ... Read more

Book Description

A Handbook for Food Service Costing acquaints readers with the basics of food cost controls through practical techniques useful in real-world situations.This book presents the mathematical skills necessary for food service professionals through a common sense, step-by-step approach and real life situations such as yield tests, the calculation of recipe costs, and the use of food cost percentages. It ensures that chefs are familiar with accurate measurements, portion control, and proper food handling, which are essential to the healthy bottom line of any food service operation.A valuable reference book for any food service professional. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Required for an OSU course
I had to buy this book for an OSU Hotel and Restaurant course.
The book does have good measurement charts but not enough examples. ... Read more

Book Description

In 1978, Paul Newman and A. E. Hotchner made a foray into local gourmet shops bearing bottles of their homemade salad dressing. Freewheeling, irreverent entrepreneurs, they conceived of their venture as a great way to poke fun at the mundane method of traditional marketing. Much to their surprise, their products spurred a tidal wave of enthusiasm in the country’s supermarkets. What had started as a lark quickly escalated into a full-fledged business, the first company to mass-market all-natural foods, Newman’s Own became a major player in the food business. The company’s profits were donated to medical research, education, the environment, children’s programs, and to the creation of the eight "Hole in the Wall Gang" camps for children with serious illnesses.

Newman and Hotchner recount the picaresque saga of their unexpected success in SHAMELESS EXPLOITATION IN PURSUIT OF THE COMMON GOOD. In alternating voices, playing off each other in classic “Odd Couple” style, they describe how they systematically disregarded the advice of experts and relied instead on instinct, imagination, and common sense. They write about how they hurdled obstacle after obstacle, share their hilarious misadventures, and reveal their off-beat solutions to conventional problems. Even their approach to charity is decidedly different: Every year, they give away all the company’s profits and start over again. The results of this amazing generosity is brought to life in heartwarming stories about the children at their camps.

From the rare glimpses into Newman’s private life to A. E. Hotchner’s wonderfully told tales, SHAMELESS EXPLOITATION IN PURSUIT OF THE COMMON GOOD is the perfect nonmanagement book, at once playful, informative, and inspirational.

Reviews (12)

A day to read and worth your time
'Shameless Exploitation' is actually two books in one - you get the tale of how the 'Newman's Own' started as a germ of an idea in Paul Newman's garage. Newman was legendary back then for commandeering the kitchen of restaurants he would frequent and whipping together his own salad dressings. He and co-founder Hotchner make light of their lack of business knowledge, but it's worth noting that much of their success is based on their innate sense of what is right, for example their unwillingness to compromise on the freshness of their product.

The latter third of the book details the duo's efforts in starting up the 'Hole in the Wall Gang' camps for sick children. The authors are passionate about this endeavour, as well they should be. It's outstanding work they're doing. Newman personally drives these projects, sometimes through the force and magnetism of his personality.

In fact, that's the thing that stands out in the book - this is no 'slap the celebrity name on the bottle' exercise. These two gentlemen are intimately involved in all aspects of the business. There's a comparison in the book to other celebrity food bits good bad - Frank Sinatra's tomato sauce venture is one example. It ran aground in less then two years, an unmitigated disaster. The difference? Sinatra simply loaned out his name and looked to scoop up the profits. By contrast, Newman and Hotchner are in this thing heart and soul. Plus, the product is superlative. That's the only way to get repeat buyers.

As of the book's printing, Newman's Own has donated over $137 million to charity. When they write Paul Newman's epitaph, that first paragraph is going to be a real stemwinder to capture the essence of the man.

Humorous Account of New Dimensions for Philanthropy
Shameless Exploitation in Pursuit of the Common Good details the almost accidental development of the Newman's Own line of foods, its eventual success, and how the founders, Paul Newman and A.E. Hotchner, developed a new kind of charity to allow seriously ill children to attend summer camp. The book is filled with humor, good-hearted fun and a will to do good. Most people will find the overall effect to be heart-warming . . . except for the tendency to self-congratulation.

The book's is one part self-deprecating personal narrative, one part "advanced moving and shaking", one part "legend-making" tales, one part "I told you so" to the corporate "experts", one part funny stories from customers and one part business history mixed with two parts serious stories about young peoples' illnesses, three parts lessons about establishing a new charity, with a dash of recipes and cartoons for final humor. The mixture, while quite unusual, has a zestful freshness that leaves a taste for more.

If you are like me, you've never quite understood how Newman's Own came into existence and became a big success. I've tasted some of the products and find them to be of good quality. But there must be something more than that to it.

I was even more surprised to read in past news articles that all profits are distributed to charity annually. "Where in the world did the company get the working capital to stay in business?" was the question on my mind.

I also wondered how anyone would decide which charities to support and which to shun.

Shameless Exploitation in Pursuit of the Common Good answered all those questions and more for me.

I was deeply moved by the tale of starting up and running the Hole in the Wall camps for seriously ill youngsters, and intend to tell others about this good work.

What intrigued me most about the book was that it showed that doing the right thing could be amazingly commonsensical. The products are good because Paul Newman would not be satisfied until he thought they were. The packaging copy and promotional activities are zany, and reflect the good humor of the authors . . . not some copywriter. Profits and cash flow are good because the authors paid attention to setting up their business model so the company would need very little capital. Making the profits go to charity allowed the authors to have fun with the business in a way they could not have done if they had been trying to line their own pockets. The psychic and emotional satisfaction of establishing the camps and helping other charities are probably worth much more than any money can buy.

I hope that other talented people, whether they are prominent or not, will consider how they could follow some parts of what the authors did with their business or their charity. I thank them both for sharing the story in this entertaining book.

The Paul Newman Story
This is the story of Paul Newman, aka the hustler, the sting, butch cassidy, cool hand luke and superman (almost). He is an Oscar winning actor, car racing champion, philanthropist (215 million dollars and still counting), successful businessman and an alien (I heard this recently through a psst..psst network). Read the book. It will expand your horizons. Anything is possible.

Highly Recommended
Shameless Exploitation in Pursuit of the Common Good is an easy book to find fault with. That said, it's also one of the most enjoyable, heartwarming and inspiring books I've read in a while. What these two did is beyond impressive. In a world filled with so many self-serving scoundrels and so much depressing news it's really a pleasure to see what a couple of pals out to have a little fun managed to accomplish. Hooray for them!

Delightful and entertaining
What a delightful book, telling all about the inception of the "Newman's Own" brand of foods, which started as a joke and became more successful than its founders ever imagined! The cover says that it is a lesson in business mis-management -- or something to that effect --and that is such a good way to put it.

They did everything wrong: concocting the recipes; marketing the products; having a makeshift office (furnished with Newman's pool furniture, including an umbrella); finding people to make and distribute the products. It makes for a great tale, and the best part is that they have made TONS of money from it and charities have been the sole beneficiaries of their largesse. From $1 million the first year to $140 million in a recent year, the profits keep getting spent on doing good for others.

Newman's pickiness about his products have made them very desirable and have helped attracted followers who are very loyal to the name.

I knew about the charities funded by the company, but not much about the "Hole in the Wall Gang" camps that now are in operation all over the U.S. and beyond. What a wonderful gift Newman and Hotchner have given to these sick children.

This is an easy-reading book that entertains and makes one grateful that people like this are around. ... Read more

Book Description

This book provides readers with a balanced mix of accounting theory and practice, tailored to the special needs of the hospitality service industries. It gives attention to the unique accounting and operating characteristics that are of major concern to managers in the hospitality industry in the new millennium.In simple, straightforward language, this book helps managers in the hospitality industry acquire a basic understanding of how financial statements are used and manage a firm more efficiently. Current coverage of emerging issues and techniques are covered.For hospitality managers. ... Read more

Book Description

Written for the professional caterer, The Book of Hors D'oeuvres and Canapes is a complete guide to the preparation, transportation, and presentation of canapes and hors d'oeuvres. Choose from 180 cold canapes and 75 hors d'oeuvres, plus you'll find invaluable information for the professional:

• Ingredients listed with purchasing specifications, seasonality, and substitutions.
• Lists of special equipment needed.
• Information on storage, early preparation, and freezer- and shelf-life.
• Convenient lists grouping canapes and hors d'oeuvres by specialized categories.

Reviews (4)

Style over substance
The glossy photos in this pricey book can help spark your imagination to come up with interesting-looking starters. I found several of the actual recipes, however, bland and uninteresting. Also beware that many of the photos are printed backwards or upside down so captions don't match. While sometimes pretty and pleasant, the look of the food is frequently rococo and overdone--the book doesn't follow its own advice to keep the presentation simple and the decorations in harmony with the setting. ...

Purchase Price vs. Content...Bad Value
Book cover is glossy(front and back). Pages are thick, glossy and heavy weight. Pictures, although color, do not appear to have been arranged by a professional food stylist...assumed in this era. Book gives ingredients and measurements in both European and American formats (grams vs. ounces). Comparing this book to other titles avaliable in market place today, book is too expensive for what you get. Glitzy buy vacuous.

not for the novice!
I received this book as a Christmas gift a few days ago and have not been able to put it down since! I agree with the writer from California that it is certainly not for the new cook, but as a part-time caterer, I have finally found the ultimate source for entertaining. There are no definite cooking times listed, and it's taken for granted that the reader is familiar with basic techniques (like for preparing pastries and mousse). If you're up to the challenge, the results will be spectacular and your friends will be amazed. The photographs are beautiful and inspiring!

An excellent book if you are in the catering business.
The Book of Hors D'Oeuvres and Canapes is an excellent book for the professional caterer, but is certainly not meant for the average or even above average cook. When I received the book, I was entranced by the stunning food presentations. On closer inspection I realized that the work involved to actually create the dishes would overwhelm anyone who had not gone to cooking school. Also, the portions are huge. Each recipe makes an average of 60 hors d'oeuvres or canapes. If the author ever makes a book for the lay person, I would be the first to buy it. But I will leave this one for the pros. ... Read more

Book Description

Bistros transport us into the Paris of our collective memory, of our youthful imagination, of literary legend. Here are the haunts of Henry Miller, the hangouts for Hemingway and Fitzgerald, the watering spots for Richard Wright and James Baldwin. In Paris by Bistro, you enter the neighborhoods of the tiny narrow streets, pass the smoky clubs and steamy little restaurants. You learn the character of each district and encounter a Paris that you might think no longer existed.

Experience the real Paris as you discover:

--Charming, great value alternatives to the classic restaurants

--Imaginative cuisine and friendly welcomes from young chef-owners who care about their customers

--Quick bites next to major tourist attractions

--Movers' & shakers' bistros for lunches close to the centers of power

--Student hangouts with joyous bistro nightlife

--Chefs' favorite bistros

--Romantic hideaways

--Surprising bargains all over Paris

On the way to becoming better acquainted with the city, you'll find yourself in a cafe-chantant in Edith Piaf's neighborhood, where the often raucous entertainment is part of the modest price. You'll try a bistro where a former U.S. President is sometimes glimpsed among the diners. You'll sample the fare at an all-night restaurant that's an institution in Les Halles, and you may find yourself next to an official of the Cordon Bleu in his favorite bistro, a little-known gem in the 15th district. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

A Must-Buy For Anyone Who Wants To Find Where Parisians Dine
This book reads like a novel. Each section introduces the reader to the charms and peculiarities of the neighborhoods of Paris, followed by vivid descriptions of the history and atmosphere of the most interesting bistros and the best fare offered by each. This is not your typical tourist guide. I loved the fact that it is a slim book, packed with information, which can easily fit in a purse or pocket. The authors have focusssed on the bistros where Parisians find the best food for the best value. I loved the photographs, which capture the charm of Paris and made me yearn for a return visit.

So good I can taste it
This is THE book for lovers of Paris cafe culture, the Gaîté Parisienne of Toulouse and Degas and young Picasso, the smoke-filled existentialist redoubts of postwar angst and Sartre, the whole range of places, from tucked-away local digs where shirtsleeve workers take their lunch served by big-armed mamas to the ritzy-boulevard tourist traps, all the color, sounds, palate treats and eye treats you could possibly want, the stuff that brought you to Paris in the first place, are what Christine and Dennis Graf have confected for you, and not only that but they tell you how it's done, how the cafe "works," with the local body language and recognitions and intricate gestural vocabulary and what the places mean to les parisiens indigenes as well as the reverent foreigner drop-in. It's the book to have hidden in your pocket when you enter, the treasure-hunt clue that pointed you there but remains carefully concealed so that the habitués will think you just naturally gravitated to the place or else were astrally tossed there by astounding good luck. The book is worth five, ten times its purchase price.

Much more than a travel guide
Much more than a standard travel guide, this book is a work of art. It's beautifully written and sprinkled with entertaining vignettes and charming photographs. The authors have departed from the beaten path and searched Paris to find a select group of Bistros, the kind the average tourist hopes to find but rarely does. They are all unique, but they all have some things in common: appealing atmosphere, creative menus and outstanding value-- and they all make me anxious to return to Paris! ... Read more

Book Description

This book examines issue in human resource management in hospitality, including selection, compensation, motivation, training, and labor relations. ... Read more

Book Description

Now in its third edition, the best-selling text, Marketing in Travel and Tourism, explains the principles and practice of marketing as they are increasingly being applied in the global travel and tourism industry. Building on the success of previous editions, the authors have completely revised the text to reflect the changes in the travel and tourism industry in the 21st century.

International examples and case studies drawn from recent practice in several countries are used throughout the text. Case studies emphasising the role of ICT include: Microburners, Travel Inn (budget hotels), RCI Europe, the Balearic Islands, and ICT and the role of the Internet in international NTO strategies.

With its comprehensive content and user friendly style, Marketing in Travel and Tourism third edition takes the reader from an initial definition of the subject matter through to the application of marketing in the travel and tourism industry, discussing crucial components such as planning strategy and the marketing mix, making it an indispensable text for both students and practitioners alike.

Explains the concepts and principles of marketing
Extensive use of case histories and examples
A classic work of reference ... Read more

Book Description

This unique, exceptionally comprehensive dictionary of the culinary arts defines approximately 20,000 terms (including “foreign terms” from all the world's cuisines, not just European).The entries are drawn from such varied categories as: foods, international foods, prepared dishes, preparation and cooking methods, tools and equipment, food chemistry, beers, spirits, and wines, hospitality and restaurant management, nutrition, food safety and sanitation, chef biographies, food history, and gastronomy.Measurement and conversion charts, phonetic pronunciations, cross-references, and origins and usage designations will be useful to professional or amateur chefs—or anyone who simply enjoys food. ... Read more

Reviews (10)

An excellent basic culinary reference book
This friendly volume is crisp, concise (tens of thousands of entries in just under 500 pages), and attractive. It is not only inexpensive, but possibly one of the best culinary dictionaries available for the home cook who simply wants a decent resource for occasional questions.

My basic test for a culinary reference book is to look up "falernum" (a by-product of rum distillation which is used as a flavoring in fruit desserts--sort of along the lines of grenadine). Well, "falernum" isn't in here, but so much other stuff is that I'm not complaining.

The pronunciations are a little iffy on foreign language terms, and the definition brevity is sometimes confusing (kiu is listed as "an ancient Chinese beer." OK. Does that make it a beer from ancient times, or a really old fermented brew that's currently available?). Still, these are minor quibbles for an admirably complete book.

Wonderful book for the number of entries alone!
I found this to be the best culinary dictionary if your purpose is for quick reference, pronounciations and the ability to actually find a particular word. If already in this industry, or an accomplished home gourmet it is a great reference. It was one particular term that sent me on this quest to find a well written and complete dictionary of culinary terms. If you are looking for a more complex reference that includes tables and formulation references, then perhaps a chef's companion would be a better choice, but for entries this is #1.

Great reference book for culinary careers.
This book contains not only English and French, but other languages from around the word. I am an student at the Las Vegas University studying for a four-year degree in culinary science. It's tough and you need a lot of guide books. Three I highly recommend is the Study Guide for Baking and Advance Baking. These books I found on Amazon.com and marketplace. They help me alot getting through my courses. Another tough course that involves a lot of science is Sanitation. The Study Guide for the National Servsafe Exam is also an excellent guide.

Good reference book
This book has been very helpful to me. Unfortunately there have been a few words I tried to look up that weren't in there. Maybe their next edition will be more complete.

NOT out of print!
The first edition of this dictionary may be gone...but the SECOND edition is readily available and it's bigger and better! Now with almost 25,000 entries and 200 more illustrations, this is still THE must have dictionary of culinary arts. ... Read more

Book Description

Culinary math applies basic math concepts (such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division) to measuring, costing, and sizing. These skills are essential to the day-to-day work of the professional chef, and this book provides the necessary tools to help them manage business functions with success. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Must buy culinary students
I'm a culinary student and found this book very helpful for converting units into metric units. It helped me with my baking class because it showed how to convert measurements properly and with great accuracy. I also used the following to study for the National Servsafe Test which is also on amazon.com:
Study Guide for the National Servsafe Exam: Key Review Questions and Answers with Explanations (ISBN: 0971999678). It showed me the type of questions asked on the exam. In addition, was quite helpful for my sanitation class. Get both books if you're in culinary school.

Great for pros and home chefs
This book clears up the math questions for all levels of preparing foods. From the diference in dry measure to liquid measure to getting the quantities right for the number of guests you are feeding. Bravo!!

Finally...
This is what I've been waiting for. For those of us who aren't too good with numbers and measurements (foodservice math), this is a god-send. It's got great information and it makes the whole subject of "culinary math" reasonable and understandable. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Give some credit to America's backbone
This book is full of platitudes and generalities.Not much of a real help to an immigrant. Better information for immigrants come from government agencies.

Telling readers to wash themselves and showing up at work shows a real prejudice and hints of racism.

There is a lot of better information out there. ... Read more

Book Description

Running a bed & breakfast or country inn is the kind of business that appeals to men and women seeking to escape the corporate treadmill or to build a rewarding retirement business.

The author of this book, Lisa Rogak, provides information on how to select the best location, zoning, permits and licenses, the reality of living with guests in your home, behind the scenes at a B&B, and deciding whether to hire staff. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

"Wake up and 'Brew' the Coffee" and all else you have to do.
A friend of mine lent me his copy of this book so I could get a better idea of what it takes to own and run a B&B. It is quite a romantic notion to own a B&B when you stay in one. When you read this book you will find that there is a lot behind the scenes including tons of laundry. Have you thought about how to cook for 12 people at once? How about handling slow times like off-season? Should you buy an existing B&B or create your own within your current home. This books helps with these questions and more, plus profiles of existing B&B's and lots of resources for B&B owners. Excellent guide! ... Read more

Book Description

Full of insightful wisdom, hilarious anecdotes, and tasty recipes, How to Feed Friends and Influence People tells the savory story of the Carnegie Deli, home of the world-famous gargantuan sandwich. Revealing the core business principles that have made the deli such a success, the book explains why and how the Carnegie became the delicatessen of choice for presidents, celebrities, at least one sultan, and millions of other (extremely) hungry diners from around the world. More than just a delightful and delicious tale of business success, this fascinating and funny book covers the delis history, shows you how to make a real Brooklyn egg cream, and piles up loads of New York history. So get cooking! ... Read more

Book Description

Opportunities in Hotel and Motel Management Careers offers job seekers essential information about a variety of careers within the hotel and motel management field and includes training and education requirements, salary statistics, and professional and Internet resources.

Reviews (4)

Best Bed & Breakfast available
Found this entertaining, fun, and highly informative. If you need encouragement in starting a b & b biz, this is for you! Great anecdotes that are amusing and educational. Good advice all around. Particularly liked the checklists.

Most complete
Have you ever flirted with the idea of opening a B&B? Many people have, but most don't have any idea where to start. Jan Stankus's book will tell you everything you'll need to know whether you have one spare room or six.

I admit I was thinking about the possibility of buying a larger house than we can afford and putting the unused space to use as a B&B. I needed information, but surfing the Internet was a long and time consuming job.

I did end up with two trade journals, that I'll tell you about later, but there is no web site that has the plethora of information in this book.

This book is very well written. I actually sat down with it and read most of it straight through, like a novel. The index is so good you can easily go back to the topics you'll need if you pursue the B&B route.

Stankus doesn't pull any punches when she tells what's involved in owning and operating a B&B. I found out things like:

* the difference between a B&B and an inn

* safety concerns for yourself and your house

* zoning issues and ordinances

* insurance, fire laws, and other legal requirements

* furnishing and outfitting your home

* how to get in the guide books

* applying to and using an RSA (reservation service agencies)

* ways to market your B&B business

* what's involved in the B&B lifestyle

* your competition - how to find it and use it to your advantage

* how to price your rooms

* determining your start-up costs

* amenities - what are they and do you need them

Included are: some useful web sites; a state-by-state list of the RSA's; U. S. & Canadian tourist offices; and a number of various work sheets.

Stankus also deals with issues such as allowing pets or children as guests, medical concerns, food preferences and allergies.

There is enough information to give a reader a solid background in how a B&B works.

Here are some other sources if you're enamoured of the idea of a B&B:

* look for local or regional classes (many times taught by owners of B&B's)...

As always, Globe Pequot's "How To" series is chock full of useful information, reasonably priced, and delivers more than expected. I've decided B&B (or innkeeping) isn't for me. But, if you want to explore the option for yourself, I can't think of a better book to start with.

Easy reading/great information
After taking a seminar in Opening a Bed and breakfast, I found this book to be very informative and influential in my decision of opening my own Bed and Breakfast soon. Realizing it will take a few years to get it up and running successfully, I know that this will be my goal and I feel I will be very successful in this endeavor with the help of my husband.

Starting a B & B is more than just clean sheets!
A terrific book for the person thinking of starting their own Bed and Breakfast! Stankus has supplied a cornucopia of useful information. From sample forms to listings of help organizations in the B & B field, including suggestions on how to make your B & B successful! Sprinkled throughout the text are comments by actual Bed and Breakfast hosts/hostesses. How To Open and Operate a Bed & Breakfast is a straight forward guide to help the novice successfully achieve their goal of opening a B & B. A great book to read with a highliter in hand. I look forward to other editions. ... Read more

Book Description

Using an interactive format, it presents a total system for planning and executing successful restaurant and foodservice marketing. Begins with the Restaurant Fitness Test which gives readers a clear idea of where their business stands in relation to its true potential. Features tips on dealing with advertising and media. Contains strategies and specific tactics geared to winning big in hospitality and foodservice. Includes a wealth of case studies, authoritative articles, a comprehensive glossary of marketing terms plus a complete set of forms to duplicate and use in your business. ... Read more

Book Description

Don't become a victim! Next time you a plan a trip, arm yourself with the most comprehensive travel safety guide on the market. Renowned travel experts Bambi Vincent and Bob Arno give you the inside look at today's con games, credit card scams, distraction schemes, and identity thefts plaguing unaware travelers everywhere. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Most of the time, paranoia is good!
Most of the time, especially when traveling, paranoia is good!

I have traveled extensively internationally for the last 15 years and consider myself travel savvy. Recently, in Peru, I have been robbed of my passport, camera, credit card and ultimately, my peace of mind.This robbery happened in broad daylight, 100 yards from a policeman (in Peru the police are known for their collaboration with criminals and their corruption). If I would have read "Travel Advisory" before this trip, I am sure I would have been more vigilant, yes, more paranoid.Thus, I would have correctly thought, in a paranoid way:I am "fresh meat" among unseen predators.

Bob and Bambi masterfully lay out the world of professional cons, rip-off artists, and the pejorative and prolific street thief.In incident after incident they show the mind of you, the unsuspecting victim and more importantly, the mind of the thief. Read "Travel Advisory" and you willsoon understand the techniques of thieves, their M.O. and why you, looking like a tourist, acting like a tourist, are like a deer caught in the headlights of an oncoming Peterbuilt.

Bob and Bambi tell you plainly, the criminals are out there in force, they are professional, very savvy and the police are at best inconsequential. After 9/11 the focus of the police has clearly changed.Very, very low on the police "to do" list is catching a purse-snatcher.Caveat:You are the only defense that you have.

Though the book is very good, it could be helpfully improved.There are no statistics.There are no lists, maps or charts that delineate the most dangerous tourist destinations.There is no appendix to help you with additional reading and/or web resources.There is no critical critique of 3rd world police (corruption, collaboration, complacency).Sadly, there is no mention of the punishment given to those thieves that Bob and Bambi tells us were apprehended.After being robbed, I want the satisfaction of hearingjail doors slamming.

There is not a traveler who could glean some beneficial tips from reading "Travel Advisory!"
It does us all well, prior to every trip, to remember the words of Stephen Still's song "For What It's Worth" (Buffalo Springfield 1966) "Paranoia Strikes deep, into your life it will creep.It starts when you're always afraid, you step out of line the [thief] man comes and takes you away." "Travel Advisory" excels at making you look over your shoulder, more than once.Read it. Strongly recommended. 4.5 stars.

Excellent. A Must-Read.
Each chapter of this book, standing alone, would be worth the price of the book. The photographs, alone, would be worth the price of the book. Where else could you find so many photographs of pickpockets and street scam artists in action?

Do not let the word "Travel" in the title fool you. This is a must-read for anyone who goes out in crowds, even in their own home town. Pickpockets work at sporting events, concerts, shopping centers or anywhere they can blend in anonymously with the crowd. Help put pickpockets, hotel thieves and street scam artists out of business. Buy this book.

Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Highly Recommends this book
As an RPCV who has lived for 2 years in a third world country, I thought I'd seen it all until I read this book. The information the authors share can make any American's vacation abroad safer and more interesting.
The last chapter on IDENTITY THEFT (it's not money you should worry about losing--it's your credit cards!) alone is worth the price of this book. Identity theft is growing at an alarming rate in America. Even if you never plan to travel abroad, we all need this information to protect ourselves at home.
Carolyn Proctor

Fascinating Read
Not since my high-school days and the reading of Charles Dickens have I thought about pickpockets and how they work.Travel Advisory opened my eyes and made me much more aware that this goes on today.When I was younger, I had lost a wallet in London, but felt it was my own clumsiness; however, now I not so sure.

The first three chapters alone should be a must read for the vacation traveler.

Travel Advisory is a neat book, covers a lot different scams that can befall the unadvised traveler and is worth a full read.I strongly recommend it.

A Must Read
I have been following the investigative efforts of Bob Arno and Bambi Vincent for several years and have anticipated the release of this book for months.Having worked in law enforcement for thirty years, I highly recommend this book to everyone in the law enforcement community.It goes far beyond the criminal act by revealing the mind of the criminal who preys upon the unwary on a daily basis.The book is both informative and entertaining to anyone who is interested in prevention of everday personal thefts and scams while traveling at home or abroad.The interviews and personal narratives of the various crinminals encountered by Bob and Bambi are fascinating.Once you begin to read the book, it is hard to put it down until finished. ... Read more