UPDATED: PLANNING: COSPLAY CAFE at DO

By kagerouhi. 05/01/10, 06:18 am

UPDATES

10 Jan 2010

Spoiler:

We will not be using whiteware as GNC health and safety regualtions do not allow for it due to lack of proper equipment (i.e. dishwasher, appropriate water temperature, etc). Instead we will be using baskets
and tissues. This way there will be minimal washing and turn over of dishes is faster as we will only have to change the tissues and wipe the baskets.
Cups will also be disposable. While this isn't ideal, it will do for now as part of the image is casual and while I am impartial to fine china ... =w=;; yeah wouldn't really work ...
Food will be sold as set menus to encourage a balance between which foods are sold so we won't have like no sandwiches but 50 cookies left.
I will be needing at least 2 barristas(i.e. people with experience making coffees) in case it gets busy to make tea and coffee. For those who haven't been to GNC before the coffee machine is next to the register and during the event Seong's wife will be minding the till so we will be needing someone else to
make coffee and tea in case we get really busy.
We will also be needing people in the kitchen for

- general food prep: most will be made the night before but items such as pikelets (will be chilled in fridge so need to heat up if needed), onigiri (most will be molded in the morning but we may need to mold more throughout the day depending on the popularity same with sandwiches) and cream puffs (cream needs to be put on the pastry) need to be prepared right before it is served.
- those working in the kitchen, while I know it is annoying to work in cosplay as you don't want to get it dirty or it might be difficult to move in I will try to acquire/make some full body aprons (like the ones Watanuki wears) in a free size so it is interchangeable.
- we will also be needing people to set up and clean up before and after the event. The cafe will open at 11am and
close by 3pm. We will have an hour after the event starts/finishes for preparation though I do think we will likely have some extra time for prep as long as we are early.

I also REALLY need to know who can help set up and clean up.Set up (general food prep, orientation of store (though I hope to do this the night before) and any other misc. activities) will start by 10am if not earlier and clean up will start as soon as the last customer is ushered out around 4pm. This will mean missing the first and last part of DO but quite frankly nothing much goes on during
those times anyways ... usually >>;;
There will be approximately 26 seats in this cafe and we want turn overs to be as high as possible so though we know some of you have experience as wait staff. Please do be attentive (one of the main points of the store) and collect dirty/empty dishes as soon as you see them. It at the same time serves as a small hint to the customer that its time to leave. So if it gets busy be prepared to fast walk everywhere.
Customers will most likely have to share tables as well with other customers due to lack of space
It will be winter so its ok if its going to be a little cramped in there 8D
There will also be a possibility for takeaways so we will also need people to help pack food.
Need suggestions as to what to fill in the sandwiches and onigiri with (might also be good to have one or two vegetarian options >> though pikelets are technically vegetarian so ... >>)
There will also very likely be a mini staff meeting/pep talk before the start with small pointers, opportunity for more questions, positioning of table numbering etc.

As the old thread was getting much too messy I have created a new one for the general planning of this event.

If you would like to express, excitement, anything unrelated to the planning of this event please do so in THE OTHER THREAD

If you would like to express interest in volunteering please do so in THE VOLUNTEER THREAD
. I will mercilessly ask for the deleting of your post if I find it entirely irrelevant. Thank You.

PLEASE DO READ AND CONTINUE TO CHECK THE TOP POST (I.E. THIS POST) FOR MORE UPDATES before posting in the thread or I will not be impressed >|

Also please take note that

THIS IS A BUSINESS AND I INTEND TO RUN IT AS SUCH.

Any suggestions/ideas are welcome. Please don't hesitate to post them or PM them to me. They will be considered.

Though much thought will be put into it as to whether it would really work as we have to consider not only are we able to cover costs but we also have to consider our position with GNC as well.
Thank You.

I know this is blunt and I'm not saying that you do, do this, but please do not kick up a fuss if I don't take to your idea or I turn it down straight with nothing but a 'no'. If you would like to know the full details as to why it would not work. PM me and I will answer.

BUT ANYWAYS

The main points which will answer some questions previously asked:

- The cafe will be held on the GNC premises which is a 2 min walk from the Hyatt Hotel
- Shifts will be rostered
- We will be selling our own food as well as food found in GNC (coffee and tea will be provided by GNC)

Regarding safety

- There will be a set list of rules of expected rules of conduct for patrons clearly displayed at the entrance
- We have the right to remove anyone we feel is a danger to the staff, the merchandise or GNC as a whole (i.e. I will be taking KittenSlave's and TinTango's offers of help - complimentary food will be provided any excess after that will have to be paid for though ^_^)
- The safety of our staff, the merchandise and GNC is my utmost priority. As such I will be taking as many measure as I can to ensure a working environment where we can work safely.

Regarding Staff and Service

- While this may sound offensive but many of you guys who have volunteered (which I am eternally grateful for keep in mind <3~) have no experience serving customers/working. As such Tammy and I will give you guys some basic training before the actual event during the holidays. We will also be sending out a PM with basic pointers in the best way to deal with customers
- If you run into any difficult customers please do tell me, Zage/Berry or Tammy so we can deal with them as peaceably as possible before resorting to throwing them out. This is afterall a business (a non-profit one nonetheless) and as such I intend to run it as one.
- The pointers when sent out will also be posted HERE in the top post in a spoiler tag so please do keep checking back.
- While we will have rules of expected conduct for the patrons, there will also be rules for you guys as staff. This will be in aid of dispelling the image that cosplay cafe = fetish cafe. And yes it does lie in how you act around people.
- The atmosphere and image we wish to create for this cafe is cute (well not necessarily cute but at least enjoyable) and attentive service, so there will be some things not normally offered in normal cafes (e.g. decorating of cookies, cupcakes by the staff themselves before they are served - probably have some pre-decorated before the start)
- While it would be awesome to refer to the customers as goshuujinsama and ojousama but hurr cultural barriers. Sir and Madam/Ma'am will be better.

Food to be Served
Savory/Actual Food
- Sandwiches (2 types)
- Onigiri (2 types)

Sweets
- Cookies
- Cupcakes

This will be further discussed with Seong as we must comply with Health and Safety Regulations imposed on GNC - so there will be restrictions on what we can and cannot sell. I also don't intend to sell that much food, concentrating mostly on drinks, easy refreshments and good service.

Not all foods displayed here will make it onto the menu due to reasons stated above.

[b]I know this is rather TL;DR but it is of the UTMOST IMPORTANCE that you guys do read this before posting. [/b]

Please include: "Bad Apple. I am me and that's it" in your first post as proof that you have actually read the main part of this post. Thank You.

I will also be setting up rosters as soon as I receive the schedule for the event.

List of Staff <-- please do read and confirm

Spoiler:

Thank You
kagerouhi~

By Cactiberry. 05/01/10, 03:06 pm

"Bad Apple. I am me and that's it"
Fairy bread/simple foods could also be good? Or tarts/miniature pies, that kind of thing?
Lol, I know there will be a limited range and that, but yeah >>' just suggesting ideas?
I'm really looking forward to this! <3

By Basaka. 05/01/10, 03:27 pm

By _Yuki. 05/01/10, 04:47 pm

Bad Apple. I am me and that's it.

;3
I wanted to be part of this from the beginning. Please add me to the list <3

YES MAID.

By **Tamoo**. 05/01/10, 05:37 pm

kagerouhi on Tammy's account

@Cacti: <3~ THANK YOU I LOVE YOU GUYS~

@Basaka: while I will keep this in mind disposables are not whiteware ... whiteware is actual cups and plates so we want a slightly finer touch. Also you didnt post the sentence =w=;;

@Yuki: Done~ and lol I misworded the sentence you was supposed to express interest in the other thread. But it's okay 83
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By Cactiberry. 05/01/10, 05:43 pm

By PIe. 05/01/10, 05:51 pm

Bad apple, I am me and that's it

Definitley confirming my interest as being on the staff. I also thought I might include I have experience working in cafes (2 to be exact) so I know how to treat customers if that's relevant to anything

By Icarus. 05/01/10, 05:59 pm

Bad Apple. I am me and that's it

Confirm me too! I'm currently a waitress if that means anything *shrug*
but very extremely happy about this~!!

By Static. 05/01/10, 07:54 pm

"Bad Apple. I am me and that's it"

Health restrictions on the sale of food basically come down to how you're keeping stuff warm/cold - we sold mystery soup as a fundraiser at a festival once, and just had to show off our state of the art (lol) chilly bins. I'm keen to help out, whatever keeps me busy - totally fine with washing dishes/cleaning up after people! I have oodles of retail experience, but haven't waited tables in about four years. I can't take photos all day, and would love something to do!

By **Duckeh**. 05/01/10, 08:02 pm

Bad Apple. I am me and that's it.
Jacksan and I want to help, bro. C: If you want us. <3
Sounds great so far.
Uhrm. Butyeah. I'll probably talk to you on msn if I come up with any ideas. Busy-ish now. <3 Loveyoulongtime.
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By Kitten Slave. 05/01/10, 08:08 pm

"Bad Apple. I am me and that's it"

Im busy tending to my private pain atm, but you know Im good for bouncering!
Static darlin, you bringin my hat?!

Me and tango will be like... like... Robin and hood!

whee

Edit: I just realized something. What does the second paragraph of Alenas post say? Have any of us adhered to it?
sweatdrop

Sry alena bby <3

By Wishe. 05/01/10, 08:14 pm

"Bad Apple. I am me and that's it"

I haven't posted in the other thread but would like to help out too if I can? (whether it's serving people or washing the dishes, I don't mind)~ ^^

By **JVCA**. 05/01/10, 08:27 pm

Bad Apple. I am me and that's it.

I think fairy bread, but using cookie cutters to cut the bread into cute shapes would be neat. C:

...and that's about all I wanted to say, lol.
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By Nee. 05/01/10, 08:36 pm

'Bad Apple. I am me and that's it.'

I am confirming~ <3 Hopefully I will be able to go over to Maddi's and Lizzi's house and bake some cookies :3

Would lollies be acceptable?

By Blooberry. 05/01/10, 08:38 pm

'Bad Apple. I am me and that's it.'

C: As Nee said, maybe lollies? And some savoury stuff, like sausage rolls [but they could be made cute?] and rolls and such.