HARRIS • AOKI

Case Study - Hither & Yon

CLIENT OVERVIEW

Hither & Yon is an all-day dining café located in the heart of Abu Dhabi, UAE. Surrounded by government and corporate offices, it caters to a diverse group of customers, including professionals, families, and tourists. To make their vision for a unique menu a reality, they sought the expertise of Harris•Aoki to ensure a smooth and successful opening that would connect with their target audience.

OPENING STAGE

When Hither & Yon approached us for assistance, we were excited to support them in this exciting venture. As experts in restaurant launches, we guided them through the development and pre-opening phases, which allowed us to help establish a well-organized and efficient operational setup.

OUR SERVICES

We provided a comprehensive range of services to set the foundation for Hither & Yon’s success, including:

Menu Development
Kitchen Layout Design
Supplier Management
Ingredient Sourcing
Staffing and Manning Guidelines
Recruitment and Candidate Screening
Equipment Selection
Workflow and Production Planning
Chef Training
Remote Training

Our main focus was to create an efficient operation that would ensure the smooth day-to-day running of the restaurant.

MENU DEVELOPMENT

Developing the menu was a joint effort between Hither & Yon’s ownership and our team. We created a varied menu of appetizers, salads, main courses, desserts, and a bakery counter. Each dish was crafted to reflect the café’s brand identity while bringing in a touch of our own creativity.

SUPPLIER & INGREDIENT MANAGEMENT

We handled supplier coordination, gathering quotes, and comparing prices to help Hither & Yon make the best decisions for food, beverages, cleaning products, and more. We introduced them to top suppliers known for delivering premium-quality ingredients that suited their concept.

STAFFING & MANNING GUIDELINES

To prepare for the restaurant’s opening, we developed detailed job descriptions for each role. These job descriptions served as a foundation to ensure all staff members understood their responsibilities and were ready to contribute effectively.

RECRUITMENT & CANDIDATE SCREENING

We played a key role in helping Hither & Yon find the right candidates. By carefully reviewing qualifications and experience, we ensured that the hired team was the perfect match for the café’s vision and menu.

KITCHEN LAYOUT, DESIGN & EQUIPMENT

We collaborated closely with the kitchen design team, suppliers, and contractors to plan key aspects of the kitchen setup. From the flow of work to equipment placement, we ensured that every detail supported the restaurant’s operational needs. The result was a well-organized, highly functional kitchen that met both the staff’s and the menu’s demands.

WORKFLOW & PRODUCTION PLANNING

We developed a workflow and production plan tailored to both dine-in and takeaway services. This plan optimized kitchen processes, ensuring smooth operations during service hours.

CHEF TRAINING ONSITE

Our on-site training for the culinary and beverage service teams focused on menu execution, cooking processes, and presentation. We also ensured compliance with local food safety regulations and municipal guidelines to meet operational standards.

REMOTE TRAINING

In addition to on-site support, we provided remote training on recipes and operational challenges. We continued to guide the team until they were fully confident in managing the restaurant independently.

OUTCOME

The menu was a hit with customers, receiving glowing reviews for its variety, taste, and presentation. Hither & Yon quickly gained a reputation as a top dining destination in the area, attracting both locals and expats.

01

Enhanced Customer Satisfaction

The menu was exceptionally well received by customers, garnering numerous positive reviews that highlighted its diversity, quality, taste, and presentation.

02

Business Growth

The restaurant has quickly established itself as a premier dining destination in the area, attracting a diverse clientele that expresses enthusiasm for the new menu offerings.

03

Team Empowerment

The extensive training provided has significantly shaped the team’s performance, resulting in effective execution in the kitchen and consistent delivery of outstanding dishes. The commitment to excellence demonstrated by the Hither & Yon team is evident in the positive feedback from patrons and the restaurant’s growing popularity.

The team is highly professional, adaptable, innovative, and supportive. They played a crucial role in bringing Hither & Yon from dream to reality. This is definitely the start of our non-ending relationship.