FAQS

  • What services do you offer?

    • Restaurant Concept Development, frequently referred to in the industry as a “Concept Enabler”

    • Restaurant Kitchen Design

    • Interior Design and Technical Specification

    • Menu Development

    • On-site or Virtual Culinary Team Training

    What kinds of F&B Concepts do you develop?

    We design the entire F&B Strategy which includes:

    • Central Production Units (CPU)

    • Signature & Specialty Restaurants

    • All-Day Dining Concepts

    • Bars & Lounges

    • Cafés & Bistros

    • Food Trucks & Mobile Concepts

    • Resort Experiences:

    • In Room Dining

    • Dining experiences and events

    • Bar food experiences

    • Lobby Lounge Experiences

    • Turn Down Services

    • Picnic/ Snack experiences

    • Catering & Banqueting Experiences

    • Spa & Wellness Experiences

    • Poolside and Beach Experiences

     RESTAURANT CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT

    • Concept Narrative

    • Naming & Branding

    • Menu Concept Development

    • OS&E & Uniform Moodboard

    What if I want to change a concept name?

    You'd be most welcome, but remember a name is linked to the concept narrative and branded elements, so those will need to be changed as well.

    How many revisions am I allowed during the Concept Ideation phase?

    You’re allowed 2 revisions, and it’s best if these can be made at the same time to keep the process smooth.

    How is the Concept presented?

    We’ll upload the concept to your client portal on our Concept -Laboratory (Co-Lab), so you can view it at your leisure and prepare written feedback.

    Why upload to the Co-Lab and not present on a virtual call?

    If you’d prefer a virtual call, we’re happy to accommodate that. However, we recommend using the Co-Lab because it:

    • Allows you to share the concept with all relevant stakeholders and collate their comments, allowing us to refine, based on clear feedback.

    • Allows you to view the concept multiple times, to get a good sense of what you love, and what you'd like to change.

    We are always happy to meet with you and want to ensure that our time together is spent in the most productive way.

    • Interior & Kitchen Design

    • Interior concept statement

    • Space adjacencies

    • Spatial plan

    • Spatial layout

    • Schematic drawings

    • Furniture selection

    • Equipment selection

    What is the first phase of Interior Design?

    The interior moodboard which is presented during concept ideation.

    Is the Interior Moodboard final or can I make changes?

    Yes, we encourage collaboration as early as possible in the interior design phase to ensure that the project evolves and aligns with your visual objective.

    Can I make changes to floor plans & layouts after they’ve been presented?

    Yes, 2 changes are allowed per project phase, after which they are invoiced at an hourly rate per design discipline. The Concept Development  - Interior phase is a critical part of the collaborative process and the collective sharing of information is what leads to a win!

    What visuals can I expect during the Concept Development -  interior design phase before final approval?

    A spatial plan, spatial layout, schematic drawings, furniture selection & kitchen equipment selection, to help you visualise the final design before we move on to perspective & technical drawings in the next phase.

    Can the design be adjusted to accommodate budget constraints?

    Yes, we can refine the design to fit within your budget while maintaining the concept’s integrity and impact. Budgets are ideally communicated during the project briefing phase.

    How do you select materials and finishes for the interior design?

    We carefully choose materials and finishes that align with the concept, budget, and practical needs of the space and project location.

    What is the process for approving the interior design concept?

    Interior Design is approved in phases; moodboard, spatial layouts, furniture selection, design freeze – at which point no further design changes are made to allow us to progress on to technical specifications.

    • Perspective & Technical

    • Construction layout

    • Furniture & Electrical layout

    • Reflected Ceiling plan

    • Floor & Wall Finishes layout

    • Elevations & Sections

    • Shopfitting drawings

    • Mechanical & Electrical

    • Plumbing/ Water reticulation

    • Fire/ evacuation plan

     Will I receive 3D renderings of the interior design before final approval?

    3D renderings are provided at an additional cost. However, we’re happy to provide up to 3 views once the technical and perspective drawings are approved. Renderings are invoiced under separate cover and are paid for in full prior to commencement of work.

    What is your involvement with procurement?

    While we don’t liaise directly with suppliers, we will recommend trusted suppliers and provide all the necessary detailed technical specifications to assist with the request for quotations.

    Do you manage the fit-out and installation as well?

    Fit-out and installation management are services invoiced under separate cover, depending on the project’s nature, timeline, and location.

    How do you handle construction layouts?

    We provide detailed construction layouts that outline the spatial arrangement and flow, ensuring everything aligns with the approved design concept.

    Will I get a furniture and electrical layout?

    Yes, we provide comprehensive layouts for furniture placement and electrical points, ensuring functionality and aesthetics are balanced.

    What’s included in the reflected ceiling plan?

    The reflected ceiling plan details lighting positions, ceiling treatments, and any other overhead features.

    How are floor and wall finishes determined?

    We specify floor and wall finishes that align with the design concept, considering durability, aesthetics, and budget.

    What do elevations and sections include?

    Elevations and sections provide a detailed view of the interior spaces, highlighting wall features, cabinetry, and other built-in elements.

    What’s included in the shopfitting drawings?

    Shopfitting drawings cover the detailed design of custom-built furniture, fixtures, and fittings.

    Do you provide plans for mechanical and electrical systems?

    Yes, we include mechanical and electrical plans that ensure all systems are properly integrated into the design.

    How do you handle plumbing and water reticulation?

    Our plans ensure that plumbing and water reticulation systems are efficiently designed and integrated, meeting both design and regulatory requirements.

    What is included in the fire and evacuation plan?

    We provide a fire and evacuation plan that complies with safety regulations, ensuring clear and safe exit routes are part of the design.

    • Working Recipes & Server Notes

    • Recipe Cost Templates

    • Market list & Ingredient Spec Sheets

    • Plating guides

    • On-site or Virtual Culinary Team Training

    How do you ensure the menu you develop aligns with my property's concept and target market?

    We tailor each menu to reflect your property’s unique concept, location, and target market. This ensures that the menu resonates with your guests and complements the overall identity of your establishment.

    Do you consider my kitchen’s capabilities when writing the menu?

    Yes, we consider size, available equipment, and skills of your kitchen brigade. This allows us to design menus that are innovative yet practical, ensuring they can be consistently delivered with the resources you have.

    How do you help with ingredient sourcing?

    We supply your team with a detailed market list and ingredient specification sheet, making it easier to source the correct ingredients for your menu.

    How do you help with menu pricing?

    We provide pre-cost recipes that enable you to price menu items.

    Why do I need additional culinary training if my chefs are already awesome?

    Implementing a new menu requires a focused effort on time consuming tasks like recipe development and our chefs assume these responsibilities, ensuring that your team stays focused on daily operations without interruption.

    How do you support the implementation of a new menu?

    We handle the detailed training, food photography, and creation of plating guides and recipe cards, ensuring your team can implement the new menu smoothly and consistently.

    How does your training benefit my front of house team? do you ensure our front-of-house team is prepared to present the new menu?

    Our training empowers managers and servers to fully understand each dish, additionally, our server notes equip them to confidently present and sell the menu to guests.

    How does your training program support our chefs in executing the new menu?

    Our on-site or virtual training ensures that each member of your brigade has access to methods and techniques required to execute the new menu with confidence, ensuring consistency in every dish. The training is either done on-site or through a high-end pre recorded video library, which allows chefs to revisit content at their leisure, with no disruption to daily operations.

    What does the training process involve?

    Our development chefs work closely with your team over several days, guiding them through cooking techniques, portion control, storage, and the preparation of sub-recipes, ensuring they fully understand each aspect.

    How many dishes are covered on each day of training?

    We typically cover 10 menu dishes per day. Our chefs first demonstrate and plate each dish, then guide your chefs as they independently prepare the dishes to ensure they can consistently recreate them with precision.

    Why are plating guides important?

    Plating guides are essential for maintaining consistency across all dishes, visually detailing each step of the plating process, including the plateware (OS&E) used and the final presentation.

    How do recipe cards benefit both the kitchen and front-of-house teams?

    Recipe cards include detailed instructions, dish images, dietary information, and server notes, making them invaluable tools for ensuring everyone is aligned and delivering a seamless dining experience.

    Can culinary team training coincide with my restaurant opening or menu launch?

    To maximise the benefits of on-site training, your team needs to be fully focused on the training program without the distraction of operational demands. Our virtual training allows for more flexibility and may be a better option in this instance.

    Do I need to close the restaurant or provide a separate kitchen for training?

    No, we can work around your operational needs. We’ll agree on a pre-approved training schedule that fits your operations, such as scheduling specific time slots for different kitchen sections. If this is a concern, our virtual training may be a better solution.

    Why should I choose FC360?

    We’re passionate about what we do and are always innovating to create an exceptional experience for you.

  • Why did you develop the Food Concepts 360 Concept-Laboratory?

    • We developed the Concept-Laboratory (Co-Lab) to streamline the concept development process, making it clear and transparent, so you can enjoy a hassle-free experience while collaborating with us and have a great time doing it.

      What does accepting your proposal commit me to?

      By accepting the proposal, you're agreeing to our project fees and kick-starting the process. You'll receive:

      • A Letter of Intent (LOI) for your acceptance.

      • An initiation invoice, to be paid within 7 days of accepting the LOI.

      • Project and payment schedule.

      What is the purpose of the Letter of Intent (LOI)?

      The LOI details the agreement between you and Food Concepts 360 for our F&B Consultancy Services.

      Is the LOI legally binding?

      Yes, once it has been accepted, the LOI is binding in the absence of a formal contract.

      What if I want to make changes to the LOI?

      Just email us with the clause(s) you’d like to change, and we’ll send you a revised LOI for approval.

      How is the payment structured, and how many invoices will I receive?

      Payments are split into phases, with invoices sent before each phase begins. You'll receive between 2 and 5 invoices, depending on the project.

      What are my payment method options?

      • Pay via Electronic or wire transfer - please share proof of payment with us, prior to commencement of work

      What happens if I miss a payment deadline?

      If payments are delayed, it may lead to reallocating design resources and could impact your project timeline.

      What if I need extra services?

      You can request additional services in writing, and we'll agree on a separate fee before starting.

      What’s your policy on revisions during the project?

      We offer 2 revisions per project phase. Any extra revisions will be invoiced at an hourly rate per design discipline.

      How can I get in touch with the FC360 team?

      Do you provide a Chef Placement service?

      Our sister company, The Chefs Connection specialises in chef placement services and we’d be happy to connect you to their specialist team.