INDEX
• WHAT IS CHEF’S COURSE?
• SERVING THE CHEF’S COURSE
• MINIMAL STAFF TRAINING
• ANNUAL BENEFITS
• FAQs
• HOST A DINNER
• HOSTING BENEFITS
BACKGROUND ON CHEF’S COURSE PROGRAM Chef’s Course was a program that launched successfully in 2012. Chef’s Course is a rewards program for consumers wanting to connect directly with restaurants supporting responsible agriculture, where a portion of the proceeds benefits Piggy Bank. The Program is pretty simple, participating restaurants provide card members a complimentary tasting portion [3-4 bites per person] as a gift from the chef. There are no discounts, no gimmicks, just a reward based on making a proper reservation in advance, allowing us to identify those spending their valuable time and money on events, at restaurants and for causes they believe in. The frequency of cardholders at your establishment can range from a handful [5-6 times] to about 30-50 times annually; but these visitors are high profile guests you want to get to know and reward. The marketing umbrella in 2012 reached 450,000 people; all of whom looked at the restaurants listed on our website, read about the program in the James Beard Newsletter or heard about the program in the media. In 2013, the Program doubled with the launch of the Chef’s Course Dinner Series, which take place the Saturday night before Cochon555. In late 2013, we launched the “Top 100 Whole Animal Restaurants” list and our “250 Heritage Breed Pig Farm Directory”, both of which helped draw more attention to the Chef’s Course Program. If you want a million sets of eyes on your restaurant[s] in 2016, please consider signing up. It’s painless and free.
WWW.COCHON555.COM/CHEFS-COURSE
A PORTION OF THE PROCEEDS WILL BENEFIT PIGGY BANK. It’s our way of saying thank you to those supporting responsible aggriculture.
Piggy Bank is the world’s first genetic sanctuary; a charitable foundation to create open-source agriculture for family farming.
CREATED BY CHEFS Chef’s Course is a dining incentive program created to reward a community of affluent consumers who champion local agriculture and honest food sources. Participation comes at a zero cost. A program for chef’s and consumers alike, designed to drive more revenue to participating restaurants and merchants. Participation has zero risk, a few penny’s worth of food in return for tons of exposure in a national community. We created a powerful referral tool, a program that stimulates the spirit of community dining and spontaneous eating. As chefs, we love providing complimentary snacks to qualified customers who support the cause. Chef’s Course is your tool to identify those unknown champions in the crowd, and gives you the chance to build a relationship with them.
CREATED WITH THE INDEPENDENT RESTAURANT IN MIND • The program enhances guest experiences and table side conversation • Identifies responsible and affluent members in the food community • Promotes the conversation of heritage agriculture and supports local farms • Increases guest interaction and check averages • Gives back annually to Piggy Bank
WHAT IS IT? 1
A rewards program created by chefs with over 100+ partners nationwide providing perks to diners & online buyers.
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Annual Card-Holders are connected to a national network of chefs, farms and lifestyle brands.
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The program is pretty simple, participating restaurants provide card members a complimentary tasting portion (3-4 bites per person) as a gift from the chef. There are no discounts, no gimmicks, just a reward based on making a proper reservation in advance.
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SERVING THE CHEF’S COURSE Chef’s Course is always a surprise, delivered at 100% discretion of the chef. A remnant of a chef’s special; spontaneously inspired with hopes to burn surplus ingredients on hand, while supporting local sources. The portion sizing and timing is at the chef’s discretion; a half-sized appetizer, an amuse, a demi-cup of soup or a three-bite tasting for each person at the card-holder’s table, served family-style or individually. Chef’s Course is a complimentary tasting portion (3-4 bites per person) served to a guest (cardholder) as a gift. For online merchants, resorts or retail shops, we suggest a 10-15% discount rate with a coordinating code. If the table orders aggressively (i.e. a ton of food), a chef may choose to enhance their experience beyond the initial tasting.
Annual memberships are $50 for consumers and totally free for our partners. Launches March 1st each year on “National Pig Day”.
GUESTS MUST FOLLOW THE BASIC RULES TO QUALIFY: • Make a reservation in advance, with confirmation • Announce Chef’s Course and aversions or restrictions upon arrival • Card holder must spend a minimum of $50 during visit • Upon final ordering, the Chef will design the tasting benefit
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MINIMAL STAFF TRAINING
• Respect & Greet the Guest. They support restaurants and the good food movement. • Guests cannot request their course. It’s a surprise from the kitchen--make it fun! • Guests cannot combine Chef’s Course with any other coupon or discount program. • Guests must make reservations in advance. • Guests must present the card in person, with benefits limited to parties of 20 or less. • Guests must meet a $50 minimum during the meal in order to receive the chef’s tasting. • Guests must order as usual, service staff must inquire about dietary limitations. • Guests must announce “Chef’s Course” and any allergies to the server. • Guests must place a final order with server.
sample kitchen laminate
• CHEF’S COURSE IS AT SOLE DISCRETION OF THE CHEF • Chef will review the final order placed by the table and plan the tasting based around the choices and guest limitations. • Server should inquire about the timing of the tasting course, and offer a drink or wine pairing suggestion. • Server should deliver the tasting to the table and say, “With the complements of the chef,” as well as describe the dish.
THE TERMS
Card holders are subject to the terms of their Agreement, which are accessible 24/7 at cochon555. com/chefs-course/. Questions regarding those terms should be directed to terms@cochon555.com
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ANNUAL BENEFITS PARTNER ANNUAL BENEFITS • Identifying new customers spending approximately $450 on food experiences and supporting the good food movement. • Cardmembers sharing their experience with friends, leading to referrals and more support for your business. • Your gift will ignite a conversation table-side about Cochon555, heritage breed pigs and Piggy Bank; good food for thought.
• A portion of each Chef’s Course card sold, will benefit Piggy Bank, a genetic-sanctuary for heritage breed pigs. • Chef’s Course is an interactive marketing tool for consumers looking to support great chefs and businesses. • Confirmed Partners receive one [1] black Partner Card with exclusive benefits. • Complimentary phone support from the Cochon555 team when looking for heritage breed pig farmers. • A great program that comes at zero cost to you.
CARD HOLDERS ANNUAL BENEFITS • Complimentary tasting around the country.
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• Receive first news about ‘The Dinner Series’ and other special events. • Online discounts with merchants of the tour (cookware, familyowned wineries, etc)
WANT A MILLION SETS OF EYES ON YOUR RESTAURANT(S) THIS YEAR? IT’S FREE.
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MINUTES
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FAQs WHAT ARE THE BASICS? Card holders are required to book the reservation prior to arrival. The Chef’s Course partner will provide a booking contact number, email or both, for your convenience. The card holder must have the card present upon arrival.
WHEN MULTIPLE CARDS SHOW UP A TABLE, WHAT HAPPENS? There are a limited number of Card Holder’s nationwide, so multiple cards at table will be rare. In the case this happens, only one benefit per table.
HOW DO CARD HOLDER’S KNOW THE RULES AND TERMS OF THE PROGRAM?
I HEARD 20 PEOPLE IS THE CUTOFF FOR GROUP BENEFITS. IS THIS TRUE?
Terms are available 24/7 on cochon555.com/ chefs-course/. Additionally, an email is listed on the back of each card for other questions regarding the program.
If the group is 21 people, Chef’s Course does not apply (only groups 20 and fewer). As the chef, you can review the ticket and ask your server if they are just cocktailing or ordering full meals. Cocktailing would equal a light snack based on spending behaviors. If the group is ordering dinner, we suggest a tasting portion equal to a 1/2 appetizer. In the end, if a 20-person group arrives, you can decide on the timing (amuse vs. mid-course) and guide extra revenue by strategically placing the course, thus adding incentive for another bottle of wine or round of drinks.
DO MULTIPLE CARDS EQUAL MULTIPLE COURSES? No, only one benefit applies per visit. Restaurants will offer one course (min. 1/2 appetizer or tasting portion per person) at the sole discretion of the chef.
HOW MANY TIMES A WEEK CAN THE CARD HOLDER USE THE BENEFIT? A guest may use the benefit once-a-day, every day. Your benefit, is being able to track new customers and reward them for the business. Take this opportunity to expire seasonal surpluses or get guests to explore and try something different.
HOW DO WE TRAIN OUR STAFF? Partners will receive one [1] laminated ‘Training Page’ for the kitchen. The page will explain “What do I do when I see the card?” with reactions (photocopy friendly, ready for staff lineups).
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HOST A DINNER We are looking for restaurants to host a guest-chef dinner as part of the COCHON555 weekend. Dinners take place on Saturday night. Host restaurants are responsible for standard dinner logistics, event public relations and expenses similar to hosting any in-house event. Cochon555 will assist with chef invites, initial planning, as well as local and national marketing. Together, we will establish a cost per guest and ensure the restaurant does not displace any existing revenues. Cochon555 has existing partners that can provide support, social media marketing and are willing to purchase tickets. Cochon555 requests ten [10] seats at dinner, in return Cochon555 will donate $500 to Piggy Bank. The restaurant is available to make additional donations to Piggy Bank.
DINNER BENEFITS •Get your Public Relations team involved with the Cochon555 weekend, great press opportunities •Rights to use Cochon555 mark in public relations promoting the dinner •Logo/Link inclusion on local sponsor page/ COCHON555 website
•Marketing of event with promotional partners (we can make introductions to UrbanDaddy) •Logo/Link inclusion on the website and newsletter to announce details of the dinner •[2] VIP Guest Passes to COCHON555 for hosting of dinner
DINNER LOGISTICS • “Chef’s Course Dinner Series” featuring Past Cochon555 Chefs • 5 Chefs, 5 Courses (suggested price $125 per person all inclusive) • Dinner on Saturday (reception hour + seated dinner) • Attendance depends on your venue capacity (suggested 40 people) • Guest Chefs cooking [1] course + [1] amuse per person, keep it fun • Ask us about Beverage & Product Partners
DETAILS
To see dinner listings or menus from previous dinners, check out: WWW.COCHON555.COM/CHEFS-COURSE