If you’re a Chef, you can use this to your advantage. Whether you’d prefer to stay employed at other restaurants or want to strike out on your own, having a digital brand makes you more attractive to employers and investors. Let’s face it, the restaurant biz is super risky, if you can eliminate some of that risk, aren’t you at a distinct advantage?<\/p>\n

You’re probably thinking “Being a Chef is a full-time job, I don’t have time to become a brand.”
\nI understand that concern, but, if you’ll hear me out, here are three things you can do easily to extend your brand.<\/p>\n

First, know this:<\/h2>\n

It doesn’t have to be a major time suck.
\nYou can use Instagram, SnapChat, whatever tool you use, to share tiny tidbits of inspiration with us. You can go total stream of consciousness.
\nDon’t worry about imperfections-you’re a Chef, not a digital graphic designer.
\nYou’re a human, not a multi-national brand (yet).
\nTake advantage of your humanity and capitalize on it while you can.<\/p>\n

Use Your Natural Talents<\/h2>\n

As a Chef, you probably already have a flair for the artistic. You probably see ideas everywhere you go, you’re probably creating inspired dishes in your head all.the.time.
\nYou’re experience doesn’t have to be “just” about food. What’s the weather like when you leave work? Is the moon particularly spectacular right now? Take your “down” moments and turn them into “sharing” moments.
\nThat’s awesome, take us on that journey. If you see a flower and the color inspires you to use a particular food in your dishes, tell us about it.
\nWe just want to see the life of a Chef. We just want a small amount of inspiration of our own.<\/p>\n

Tell The Story<\/h2>\n

I never met a Chef that didn’t have a story. Weave your story into your inspirations and tell us about them.
\nYou can take selfies if you want, use pictures from your past…show us side by sides of what the inspiration was, and what it became in your interpretation.
\nEverything you can do to personalize your food allows people to relate to you better…and when people relate to you better, your food becomes even more amazing.
\nTake pictures of other people who eat your food, let us see ourselves in their spots.
\nAnd while you’re telling your story, invite others to share theirs. Let them know you’re curious about them too.<\/p>\n

The Daily Grind<\/h2>\n

What you see as everyday “stuff” other people might be fascinated by.
\nChopping onions? Stand that phone up and let us see your technique, you can talk us through it or not. It’s :30 seconds of amazing for those of us with pathetic knife skills.
\nPicking out produce? Share your secrets with us. What makes a good watermelon? How do you know when a mango is perfectly ripe?
\nWe’re endlessly interested in how your everyday knowledge can work in our world.<\/p>\n