Draft employee reference letters and a cafe employee handbook with ChatGPT
Nila Norero Salvatore, 65, owner of Bella Cafe in downtown San Francisco, interviewed by The Guardian
She uses ChatGPT to help write reference letters for workers and to craft the cafe's employee handbook. She also had ChatGPT design the street signs and the breakfast-menu signs inside, which include images of the food.
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ChatGPT
The problem
A small cafe owner who calls herself and her husband "old-fashioned" still has to write reference letters for workers, put together an employee handbook and make signs and menus.
What happened
She says experimenting with AI is "fun" and "new for us," and that it saves money on graphic design. She told The Guardian she hasn't personally received complaints about the AI signs, though the article is mostly about diners' pushback on AI-generated food images. No time figures are given.
Quoted in the source: Nila Norero Salvatore, owner, Bella Cafe. Source: The Guardian: Uncanny and unappetizing: appetites spoil as AI images take over food menus (Lisa Bonos) (2026-09-06) · Added 2026-10-31.
How to set it up yourself
- What Bella Cafe does: the owner has ChatGPT help write reference letters for workers and the cafe's employee handbook, and design its signs.
- For a reference letter, give ChatGPT the facts only you know: the worker's role, dates, duties and two real examples of their work, using the prompt below.
- For the handbook, list your actual rules (scheduling, breaks, food safety, phones, call-outs) and ask for a plain-language draft with a section per topic.
- Read every line, fix anything that isn't how you really run the cafe, and have an HR advisor or lawyer check the handbook before staff sign it.
- If you use AI images on menus, consider real photos of your food instead: the article reports diners pushing back on AI food pictures (our suggestion).
Copy-paste prompt
Write a reference letter for {EMPLOYEE NAME}, who worked at {BUSINESS} in {CITY} as a {ROLE} from {START} to {END}. Their duties: {DUTIES}. Two real examples of their work: {EXAMPLE 1}; {EXAMPLE 2}. Keep it under 250 words, warm but specific, signed by {YOUR NAME}, {YOUR TITLE}. Don't add any praise or facts I didn't give you.We set up one AI automation in your tools, live within 48 hours of getting access, for $197. No call needed. Founding price for our first 10 customers (regular $297).
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Tools used
ChatGPT
General AI assistant for writing, research, brainstorming and analysis.
From Free $0; Go $8/mo; Plus $20/mo; Pro $100/mo (checked 2026-11-03)
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Checked prices: ChatGPT: from Free $0; Go $8/mo; Plus $20/mo; Pro $100/mo (verified 2026-11-03)
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