As Australian hospitality faces unprecedented challenges—with nearly 9.4% of foodservice businesses permanently closing in the past year—Michelin-trained chef Guillaume Zika is offering a lifeline through his new educational platform, Run Smarter Kitchens.
The online course, launching 24 September, combines practical training with a global community network designed to help chefs and restaurant owners build more profitable, sustainable operations. The program addresses the operational and financial knowledge gaps that often determine whether restaurants survive in today’s challenging market.
“I created Run Smarter Kitchens because I’ve seen too many incredible chefs and restaurants struggle, not from a lack of passion or talent, but from not having the right systems in place,” said Zika. “My goal is to give chefs the tools I wish I’d had earlier in my career, so they can run profitable kitchens without sacrificing quality or burning out.”
The six-module program covers critical areas including food cost control, waste reduction, profitable menu design, and scalable kitchen systems. Members also receive access to live coaching sessions with Zika and can connect with hospitality professionals worldwide through a private online network.
Zika brings significant credibility to the initiative. He trained at the two-Michelin-star Relais Louis XIII in Paris under Manuel Martinez and worked in renowned kitchens including Thomas Keller’s Per Se in New York, as well as with Mauro Colagreco in France, Claude Bosi in London, and Guy Martin in Paris. In Australia, he earned two Chef Hats running his own restaurant, before serving as Executive Chef at Burleigh Pavilion, where he managed more than 60 chefs handling thousands of covers daily.
The chef also founded Chef Notepad, a recipe-costing and kitchen management platform now used by high-profile venues including Quay, Rick Shores, and Entrecôte, as well as numerous bakeries and cafes globally.
With more than 70% of Australian operators reporting declining revenues due to rising costs and reduced consumer spending, industry analysts predict that as many as one in 11 venues could close in the coming year without intervention.
Run Smarter Kitchens will be available at half price for the first two weeks. The course can be accessed at chefnotepad.com.au/getcourse.
