Pots & Pam's

Yes, it has been a long time since this topic came up, but I need some help. I am in a contest to win my very own restaurant. Good deal huh? Problem is I haven't ever owned my own restaurant. I am writing a pro forma and and have done tons of research. I have seen that average cogs is 33% and a restaurant would be happy to see about 10% net profit. Besides the obvious (rent, utilities, payroll salaries and taxes, licensing, insurance, entertainment) what else is an expense that I am overlooking? With this restaurant I will receive 10k in start up, 15k food, 10k small wares and all marketing/advertising for a year, plus free rent for three months. I have estimated my payroll as 30% of total sales. What else would I need to put on my pro forma p/l? I am up against two other people who have industry experience. I have owned my own personal chef business, but haven't worked in a commercial kitchen. Would love any advice or help you can give!

Hi Chef Pam here...and I am just letting you know that today is the last opportunity to vote for me for the Sears Chef Challenge. This contest aims to find the next up and coming chef. I hope to win this round to move onto Chicago to compete in a live demo against the other winning chefs of LA, Chicago, and NY. I want to thank everyone in advance for their voting and support. If I win this round, my charity SOME, will receive 5K and then I will be able to win them 20K more in the next challenges. Please go now to www.searschefchallenge.com to cast your vote for Chef Pam from DC! You may vote from each valid e-mail address that you have. Thanks! Chef Pam Oldes www.searschefchallenge.com www.potsandpams.com www.facebook.com/ChefPamOldes

Thanks! That is awesome...not the best with technology! Less than four days left to vote. Please vote once a day per e-mail address. I want to thank everyone for their support! Chef Pam

First off, thank you to everyone who has voted! I appreciate it very, very much! Secondly, after taking off to a huge lead the first two days, my lead has disappeared and I am in last place! We are all on this page because we enjoy food. Remember, not everyone has the luxury of knowing where and when their next meal will come. I am working hard to win this thing so that Sears will donate 5K to SOME (So Others Might Eat) in Washington DC. Vote today and make an impact on people who are less fortunate than us. It takes a few minutes to vote, you can watch the videos to decide who you like best. I need your votes to help me get to the next round where my cooking skills will be really put to the test in a competition like the Food Networks "Chopped." Again, I want to thank you for your continued support and remember you can vote once a day per e-mail address, if you have more than one...please use it! Thanks a ton! www.searschefchallenge.com Chef Pam Oldes

It is finally time to vote! I need your help to advance to the next round. Please go vote Pam Oldes now at www.searschefchallenge.com. I can vote once a day for until July 10th. You can sign up to win prizes and play games. I have worked very hard at this competition...getting over my fear of talking on camera and an audience. I have had a blast, but really want to advance to the semi-finals where I will compete with the other chefs that win from their respective cities. I am also excited that if I win, Sears will donate $5,000 to my food related charity SOME (So Others Might Eat) in Washington DC. So you can look at your vote being a charitable donation! Thanks in advance! Keep eating! Pam

Harris Teeter off Duke Street

Check out Stratford University. They have a accredited culinary school and offer classes as well.

I am part of Phase one in the nationwide Sears Chef Challenge competition. I just spoke with some of the executives at Sears about this message board and they wanted me to let you know that they are looking for people like you to enter the contest for phase two. If you don't want to cook, then do the judging. The are looking for an "At Home" winner who will be flown to Chicago to be a judge of the semi-final round! Let me just tell you that you have a VERY good chance of making it. Not only do you get to win some awesome Kenmore appliances, you get to nominate a food related charity to receive a donation depending on how far you make it in the contest! If you have any questions at all about this, please let me know! You don't have to be a trained Chef to participate, self taught chefs are more than welcome! Being part of this contest has been really wonderful and I would definitely suggest that you apply to either be a Wildcard contestant or an At Home Contestant! Happy Eating! Website: www.searschefchallenge.com CHEFS (Including Selected "Wildcard" Contestants) As the chefs progress through the Sears Chef Challenge, they will receive the following prize packages: Quarter-Final Winners (four in each round): •One Kenmore kitchen appliance of their choice (Refrigerator, Range, Dishwasher, Microwave or hood) •A trip to Chicago to compete in the Chef Challenge Semi-Final Semi-Final Winners (one in each round): •An additional three Kenmore appliances to complete their kitchen suite (Refrigerator, Range, Dishwasher, and Microwave or hood, as applicable) •An invitation to the Sears Chef Challenge Championship Finals Championship Final Winners: •A kitchen renovation from Sears •An invitation to become a guest blogger on Sears.com "AT-HOME" WINNERS Each of our "At Home" Winners (one for each round) will receive: •A full suite of Kenmore appliances for the kitchen (Refrigerator, Range, Dishwasher, and Microwave or hood) •A trip for two to be a guest judge during the Semi-Final in Chicago •An invitation to become a featured blogger on Sears.com

Hello Everyone, I am Pam Oldes and I own my own personal chef business named Pots & Pam's... I found out about this website after handing out fliers to people in my condo about my new adventure Sears Chef Challenge. A neighbor told me about this website and I thought it would be great to check out. I have been a personal chef for a little over a year and LOVE it. The nationwide Sears Chef Challenge has been amazing. You can check out details at www.searschefchallenge.com or ask me! If you think you have what it takes, they are looking for Chefs to fill 6 wild card spots in Phase two of the competition. I highly recommend it for anyone! The quarter final round winners is decided by online votes. Voting starts June 26 through July 10th. I would love to have your support for this! You can become a "fan" and get reminders at facebook.com/ChefPamOldes or I will keep you posted on this site. I look forward to learning and sharing on this site. Thanks for your time! Pam Oh, my business website is www.potsandpams.com