As the stream of restaurant based TV programmes show, there can be a very real difference between aspiration and reality for many chefs who aspire towards starting a small restaurant business, no matter how talented they may be.

Starting a small restaurant business can be a long and complicated and often tiring process. Premises, ingredients and dealing with suppliers, health and safety issues, staffing and finances are just some of the factors that need to be taken into account. As with establishing any business, long hours of work are also required, and in the case of starting a small restaurant business, aside form the culinary skills that will be required, mental and physical stamina will also be vital.