New Zealanders spent $5.6 billion at cafes and restaurants in the year ending March 2021. Just in the Auckland region alone, diners could take their pick from nearly 4000 restaurants and cafes serving just about every cuisine you could think of.

The top restaurants in our country provide some magical dining experiences, as a result of the hard work of every member of their teams. They take on risks, explore new boundaries and even tackle sustainability challenges. It’s no surprise that the industry has been going through some changes recently but there will always be exciting opportunities for new chefs, hosts and establishments. In 2021, we saw a host of new restaurants opening across New Zealand, including a porridge café, fine dining establishments and everything in between.

If you are already working in the Hospitality industry and looking for inspiration or actively considering kick starting your career in the sector, How to Become a Restauranteur is a free online course provided by the Swiss Education Group. It is suitable for professionals and individuals seeking to learn how to bring a food and beverage concept to market and create unique selling points that will distinguish their business from the competition. It is also suitable for those looking to improve the bottom line of their current business. 

The course is run by world-leading hospitality experts and broken up into four main sections:

• Why do Restaurants Fail, Guidelines and Food Trends
• Building a Differentiating Concept and Designing a Unique Menu
• Social Media, Food Photography and Kitchen Design
• Finance for Restaurants

The course is estimated to take 4 weeks with 4 hours commitment each week but can be completed at your own pace. The course is free with an optional upgrade available to obtain a purchasable certificate.

If you are interested in additional free Hospitality courses from Swiss Education Group, you can find them at UNWTO Tourism Academy.