671: Staffan Terje on Respect Yourself and Be Prepared

Chef Staffan Terje was born, raised, AND trained in Stockholm, Sweden. In 1982, after working in Stockholm for a few years, Staffan was offered a job in Sarasota, Florida. His plan was to work for a year in the states. He never left.

In 1988, the lure of Italian cuisine called and Staffan joined Piatti Ristorante in Yountville, Napa Valley.

Promoted quickly, he was soon responsible for new restaurant openings, menu development, and training. Other career highlights include a seven-year stint at San Francisco’s famed Scala’s Bistro and cooking at The James Beard House in New York City. Today Chef Terje serves as Chef Partner of Perbacco and Barbacco in SanFrancisco, CA.

Check out episode 666 with Umberto Gibin as mentioned in today's episode!

Show notes…

Favorite success quote or mantra:

• "I just hate the word talent. You buckle down and work; that's talent. Talent has two parts: hard work and grit. if you have those, you have talent to do anything. Never think you';re some kind of genius."

In today's episode with Staffan Terje we will discuss:

• Chef life is hard work
• Stress
• Learning to butcher on a farm
• Don't lie about your knowledge
• Be honest always
• Define your concept
• The importance of business knowledge
• Business skills are as important as cooking skills
• Advice on expansion
• Don't strive for perfection at first
• Share Knowledge!
• You have a commitment to your employees
• Expect mistakes when opening
• Don't do too much too fast
• Criticism is good!
• Opening in the 2008 recession
• Creativity
• Opening in the wrong location
• The decision to close a restaurant based on location
• Do your research and do the numbers!

Today's sponsor:

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Knowledge bombs

1. Which "it factor" habit, trait, or characteristic you believe most contributes to your success?
   • I never stop
2. What is your biggest weakness?
   • Over-analyze things
3. What's one question you ask or thing you look for during an interview?
   • "What was the first place you got a job and why?" Looking for honesty.
4. What's a current challenge? How are you dealing with it?
   • Finding enough people who can afford to work at restaurants
5. Share one code of conduct or behavior you teach your team.
   • Be nice to people
6. What's one book we must read to become a better person or restaurant owner?
   • One Minute Manager by Ken Blanchard and Spencer Johnson
   • GET THIS BOOK FOR FREE AT AUDIBLE.COM 
7. What's the one thing you feel restaurateurs don't know well enough or do often enough?
   • Close.
   • Try to be too many things to too many people.
   • Rest and relaxation
8. What's one piece of technology you've adopted within your four walls restaurant and how has it influence operations?
   • Choco App :ordering from suppliers made simple.
9. If you got the news that you'd be leaving this world tomorrow and all memories of you, your work, and your restaurants would be lost with your departure with the exception of 3 pieces of wisdom you could leave behind for the good of humanity, what would they be?
   • Keep it clean
   • Be kind
   • Don't look back

Contact info:

Perbacco website

Barbacco website

Thanks for listening!

Thanks so much for joining today! Have some feedback you’d like to share? Leave a note in the comment section below!

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Huge thanks to Staffan Terje for joining me for another awesome episode. Until next time!

 

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