The majority of people who attend a cooking academy such as Western Culinary School are going to get jobs in restaurants after they graduate. However, some people leave these schools with the desire to start their own small restaurant. If you fall into that category, here are some of the things you’ll need to do:

• Take a business class. You don’t need a whole degree but you should learn the basics of business and accounting.
• Find a space. Think about what kind of ambience you want your restaurant to have and find a space that is right for that. Negotiate the details of leasing the space before moving forward.
• Take care of the legalities. Get your business license, your liquor license and everything else you’ll need to get started.
• Start marketing yourself before you’re even open. Hopefully you networked during your time in cooking school so start sending out announcements and having pre-opening parties to spread the word.
• Hire a great staff. You’ll probably be doing the cooking yourself; that’s what you went to culinary school for after all. But make sure you hire a great support staff to help in the kitchen and out on the floor.
• Open your doors and begin. As they say, "leap and the net will appear".

These steps are true for anyone who wishes to leave cooking school and start a restaurant, whether they’re at Western Culinary School or across the country at Le Cordon Bleu Atlanta. Plan well and then make your move.

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