The Committee

My current committee consists of Culinary students Nick Gaido and Daniel O'Brian. Nick is currently attending graduate school at The Culinary Institute of America in New York. He also has background in the restaurant business. His family has owned and operated Gaido's, a seafood restaurant in Galveston, TX since 1911. Daniel is a student at University of Houston and also has experience working in restaurant kitchens. I will consult Nick and Daniel in creating a menu and in laying out the kitchen for my project. I am in the process of contacting another mentor who has interior design experience in the hospitality field.

The Client

My client is a business man who grew up in Baton Rouge, but has spent his adult life living in Las Angeles and globe-trotting. He has retired now and wants to open a trendy restaurant and bar in his hometown. He wants to be hands on in the project, but has no experience in the restaurant business. He has asked me to design his restaurant from space planning, to picking finishes and furniture, to creating a branding image and logo. He knows that he wants to have some familiar Louisiana Based dishes on the menu, but definately wants his menu to have a more sophisticated twist that the average Baton Rouge menu. He has asked me to collaborate with his chosen chef to come up with a design and menu that work well together.

Inspirational Interiors

These are some photos of a Ella Dining Room and Bar- a restaurant in Sacramento, CA. I love the way the designer used a modern white color palette but also used antique shutters as as a focus above the bar. I think that this eclectic mix comes across as a very sophisticated design.

The Site- Overview

I will be transforming a large retail store into a restaurant and bar. The space that I am using is currently an empty GAP store that I will be remodeling into a two story building. This building is in a perfect location-close to LSU's campus. A few concerns that I have are that the building is not yet ventilated for a kitchen and there is not parking directly adjacent to the building.
My focus for this project will be creating a branding image. I will use branding in marketing strategies, creating a menu, and visually throughout the space. I will also be creating a unique place setting that will add to the dining experience.

Starting my first blog today!