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Monday, December 15, 2014

The Dirty Dozen with Stuart Anderson


About the book:

Restaurant Management: First Hand Lessons from the King of Steak Houses
Black Angus Beef Chain Founder shares business tips, food recipes and personal memoir



Stuart Anderson had led a fascinating life for the past 90 years. He built Black Angus, America's #1 restaurant chain of the 1980s, and ranched on a 26,000 acre spread where he raised cattle. His circle of friends has included Hollywood stars and corporate bigwigs. You'll discover his personal history is a lot like the man - larger than life!



Anyone seeking to go into the restaurant business or moving into a food industry management position will benefit from the lessons offered in this book as Stuart Anderson shares both his success and failures. Told with wit, simple cowboy logic and clever business savvy, there are numerous vignettes included in this memoir to include tales from World War II, Business Startups, Management Feuds, Love Affairs, Community Service and semi-Retirements.



Aside from the personal story and professional information, readers - especially those who ever ate at a Black Angus restaurant in the past - most notably in the 1980s - will enjoy such recipes like the BLACK ANGUS POTATOES AU GRATIN, ORIGINAL BLACK ANGUS RANCH BREAD, BREAKFAST STIR FRY and BAKED STEAK WITH MUSTARD SAUCE just to name a few.



Note: The author, diabetic himself, also offers menu ideas for "special" diet needs.



In addition, reader benefits:
•    Discover the ins and outs of profitable restaurant management as imparted by a master entrepreneur

From initial ideas, failed startups and a relentless pursue for success, Stuart Anderson outlines how he went raising and eating Black Angus beef to building one of the most famous and successful restaurant chains in America voted #1 by consumers numerous times during the 1980s. But not everything remained rosy once Stuart Anderson sold his empire. The author offers his opinion on how a corporate takeover changed his business and ultimately why he retired ... at least the first time.

•     Delight in "bone head" mistakes Anderson made early in his career


Like the case of the "melted chocolate" or "bitter pills for bulls"

•    Get a backstage look at celebrity friendships and news-making events

John Wayne fans will enjoy some "cowboy" fun when the star of Western Movies stops in for a surprise visit.

The Dirty Dozen with Stuart Anderson

1.     What’s one thing that drives you crazy? 
I’ll give you two. Gum chewing and a bad night’s sleep.

2.     What is your guiltiest guilty pleasure? 
Eating a Snicker’s Bar, as I’m diabetic.

3.     What is your most embarrassing moment? 
Key note speaker and couldn't remember my speech. Actually, eating a Snicker bar before was my problem because it gave me very high blood sugar and caused total confusion to my brain.

4.     What is the stupidest thing you’ve ever done? 
Too many to name.

5.     What’s the most daring thing you’ve ever done? 
In my youth it was ski jumping. Later in life, it was opening a restaurant.

6.     On what life choices would you like to have a re-do? 
Selling the last portion of my ranch.

7.     What makes you nervous? 
Heights and public speaking.

8.     What makes you scared? 
Snakes.

9.     What’s the biggest lie you’ve ever told? 
I did not have sex with that woman! (to my 1st wife)

10.  What’s the biggest mistake you’ve ever made? 
Opening a seafood restaurant.

11.  When was the last time you did something for the first time? 
Took up golf late in life.

12.  One of your main characters has to die. Which one would you kill off? 
N/A  It’s non fiction, and I don’t want to be sued.

About the author:

Stuart Anderson was the founder of the Number 1 full-service restaurant chain in the nation. He grew his original concept of a one-price steak dinner from one restaurant to 122 before he retired in the 80's when these polls were taken that made them No. 1. The chain still exists primarily on the West Coast. He was also a rancher for over 30 years with a beautiful ranch in Central Washington State where he raised Black Angus cattle and Clydesdale horses. 

He spent most of his life in Washington until moving to the beautiful desert in Southern California. He has two wonderful daughters, two grandsons and about to have his first great grandson. He and his wife traveled extensively over a good part of the world and around America in their motor home. They especially loved train travel and enjoying retirement. Stuart is currently 91 years young!



Connect with Stuart on Facebook.