1. The 2007 StarChefs.com Salary Survey: Take it Now!
Now's the time to take the fourth annual StarChefs.com Salary Survey - your resource for information and insights into salary, raises, and bonuses in the foodservice industry.

Be a part of it - and don't forget that each person to complete the survey will be entered for a chance to win four Chef Passes to the 2008 International Chefs Congress, September 14th - 16th in New York City.

What Time is it? It's Salary Survey Time:
http://www.zoomerang.com/survey.zgi?p=WEB227AF5JK9LR

2. Editor's Dish: The Top Culinary Trends of 2007
The American culinary industry's explosion has been coming on with a dull roar for some time now, and while much of what we see within the course of a calendar year isn't "new," per se, there have been a number of exciting developments brought to the table in 2007 that will continue to heighten the drama of dining in 2008.

Libations, Experimentation, and Going Green:
http://www.starchefs.com/features/editors_dish/culinary_trends/2007/index.shtml

3. Employer Recruiting Tip: Encouraging Employee Networking
Even of you're not hiring in the New Year, building up your candidate pool before you have several open positions to manage should be a priority as you plan for 2008. One excellent option for recruiting is to encourage your current staff members to network within your local culinary community. While they are attending foodservice shows, equipment seminars, and ingredient tastings, they are both developing their skills and meeting new potential team members - both are great ways to build your business.

The best candidate for your open position is likely already working for someone else and may not even be looking for a new position. To reach these potential team members, take advantage of current staff members actively participating in industry associations and conferences who are likely to meet new candidates. Consider covering registration fees, travel, or materials for ancillary employee education to promote attendance; if it's not in your current budget, build it into future business plans.

4. Tools of the Trade: What's in Your Toolbox?
While none of this year's "Tools of the Trade" will actually fit in your tool box - unless you're willing to give up your knives - there's plenty of technological eye candy for pastry and savory chefs alike. Lust after a Thermomix and ditch that old reach-in to make room for a Flexicold drawer. Be the "Guitar Hero" of the kitchen with a pastry-specific guitar confectionary cutter. And don't worry if you need help lighting the flavor-infusing smoking gun - just ask your slightly shady line cook - you know the one.

The Year's Hottest Equipment:
http://www.starchefs.com/features/tools_of_the_trade/issue4/html/index.shtml

5. Cool Career: Amy Scherber of Amy's Bread of New York City
Manhattan bread baker Amy Scherber manages three retail shops and a thriving wholesale business that produces over 3,000 kilos of dough each day. Scherber has carefully engineered her business' growth, adjusting her expansion plan and financial goals to fit into a city with unbelievable commercial rents and a plethora of artisanal competitors. Recently she has begun working in the "front of the house," focusing on the marketing, PR, product development branches of her business.

A Career on the Rise: Amy Scherber:
http://www.starchefs.com/community/CoolCareers/amys_bread/index.shtml

6. Going Green: Five Practical Steps to Fight Climate Change
At the 2007 Women Chefs and Restaurateurs National Conference, Helene York, Director of Bon Appétit Management Company, outlined five steps that can easily be incorporated into the daily operations of your kitchen, whether you're working in quickserve or fine-dining. While many restaurants feel the financial constraints of trying to purchase every ingredient locally and in season, York's five practical and affordable suggestions are likely extensions of current practices, like recycling oil, that many restaurants include in their waste programs.


Help Fight Global Warming:
http://www.starchefs.com/features/climate_change/index.shtml

StarChefs...If you like food. A lot. Help Wanted. Help Found.