Hi All:
I have been looking through this great site for some time now, and have already found some great and helpful ideas. Now, I am at the time where I will be needing help and advice from the pros. I will describe myself and my new venture.
Originally from Vancouver, moved to Alberta for 30 years, then decided to get out of the rat race. Finally ended up in heaven (to me anyways) Annapolis Basin area, SW Nova Scotia. I have been here two years planning a hopefully successful smoked BBQ place. Originally, I had my heart set on a food truck, but due to no commissaries in site, or restaurant space everything went on hold. A take out restaurant was for sale down the road from where I live - real cheap, three years old, very good equipment and the land is worth the investment itself. This was something that I could not pass up, so I just purchased this place.
This area is pretty dead in the winter but swells to capacity during the summer. There are many events, including the the Wharf Rat Rally that brings 130,000 motorcycle enthusiasts, vintage car rallies etc. The one thing that is missing in this area is good BBQ. I did not want to compete with all the local fish & chips, scallops and lobsters or regular hamburger places. Since I now own my own take out/commissary I can pick what events can be good business and rent a small space.
I have been in management accounting so am familiar with the risks on opening a food service place and know the financial end of things. I am a perfectionist on the food I serve and my knowledge on smoking has only been with smoking fish, pork chops etc on a home made smoker. Being from Canada I am limited with the smoker I can use - food service only, so after a lot of research, I am buying an electric Southern Pride SC-200. I have searched many forums, and it seems like a Southern Pride would be the easiest to operate with very good results.
I will have a lot of questions, so here is my BIO for now. I have tons of questions and hopefully I can help newcomers with my experience and my knowledge I get from all you guys that are willing to help.
I have been looking through this great site for some time now, and have already found some great and helpful ideas. Now, I am at the time where I will be needing help and advice from the pros. I will describe myself and my new venture.
Originally from Vancouver, moved to Alberta for 30 years, then decided to get out of the rat race. Finally ended up in heaven (to me anyways) Annapolis Basin area, SW Nova Scotia. I have been here two years planning a hopefully successful smoked BBQ place. Originally, I had my heart set on a food truck, but due to no commissaries in site, or restaurant space everything went on hold. A take out restaurant was for sale down the road from where I live - real cheap, three years old, very good equipment and the land is worth the investment itself. This was something that I could not pass up, so I just purchased this place.
This area is pretty dead in the winter but swells to capacity during the summer. There are many events, including the the Wharf Rat Rally that brings 130,000 motorcycle enthusiasts, vintage car rallies etc. The one thing that is missing in this area is good BBQ. I did not want to compete with all the local fish & chips, scallops and lobsters or regular hamburger places. Since I now own my own take out/commissary I can pick what events can be good business and rent a small space.
I have been in management accounting so am familiar with the risks on opening a food service place and know the financial end of things. I am a perfectionist on the food I serve and my knowledge on smoking has only been with smoking fish, pork chops etc on a home made smoker. Being from Canada I am limited with the smoker I can use - food service only, so after a lot of research, I am buying an electric Southern Pride SC-200. I have searched many forums, and it seems like a Southern Pride would be the easiest to operate with very good results.
I will have a lot of questions, so here is my BIO for now. I have tons of questions and hopefully I can help newcomers with my experience and my knowledge I get from all you guys that are willing to help.