Food & Beverage Services (Hospitality Sector)

Food & Beverage Services (Hospitality Sector)

Edited By Sumita Vaid | Updated on Jun 22, 2014 07:14 PM IST

THIS function is a managerial profile, which comprises managing a restaurant or the bar in a hotel, or a stand-alone restaurant. This division is all about looking after guests and their needs.

“We look after clients like guests who visit out homes,” says Kunal Pahwa, Restaurant Manager, Bukhara, ITC Maurya. So even before a guest raises a hand or looks around for a waiter, an F&B person is already at the table with water or juice. “It’s about anticipating the guest’s requirement,” says KS Srinivasan, Vice-President, HR, Taj, Mumbai.

At the same time, one has to ensure that the guests have the space to do what they want, and one does not stand over their heads. It’s a bit tricky, but with experience one develops a knack for it. “The services industry is not rocket science; it about understanding simple human needs. You decide your approach by who sits at the table,” Pahwa adds.

Food & Beverage Services (Hospitality Sector)
Food & Beverage Services (Hospitality Sector)

Is the customer always right?
All kinds of people frequent restaurants and chances are there will be unpleasant experiences. On occasions, you may happen to overhear unpleasant things a client is saying about you. “Even then we wear a smile and serve the customer to the best we can,” says Anurag, a butler with ITC. In this business, the customer is always right. “Always,” he adds!
 

Tips ‘n’ trends

F&B graduates usually choose
from these departments:

  • Room service

  • Bar

  • Speciality Restaurant

  • Night club

  • Discotheque

  • Coffee shop

  • Banquets

After the management training you start as:

  • Assistant manager (In some places, at a supervisory level as station head waiter)

  • Assistant F&B Manager

  • F&B Manager/Director, F&B

  • General Manager

…And the way to the top

  • Room service manager

  • Banquet manager

  • Food & Beverages Manager

  • Executive Food and Beverages manager

  • Resident Manager

  • General Manager

  • Vice-President

  • COO, or CEO

Work like an entrepreneur
While such experiences are part of the job, an F&B manager also gets the chance to run the restaurant like an entrepreneur.

You are completely responsible for your restaurant, says Pahwa who was involved in the pre-opening of ITC Grand Central hotel in Mumbai. “From the colour of the cushion to what goes on the menu, you are in-charge of everything.” Hence, F&B managers are expected to think of novel ways to generate more revenue.

Besides looking after the needs of customers, a restaurant manager also manages the staff. “You may have to manage people older than you who report to you. You also have to earn the respect of your clients as well as your staff.”

 

Opportunities abroad
Many, after working for two or three years in the Indian hospitality industry, go abroad as opportunities are lucrative. “One of my friends is working in Burj Dubai (the world’s tallest tower) as an F&B manager in one the top restaurants there and he is earning well,” says Pahwa.

Indian hospitality professionals are in demand in countries such as Dubai, the US and Australia because of their high level of education and experience in the industry.

Ashish Kesharwani, Chief Learning Officer, at education consultancy UEI Global says, “Approximately 20 percent hotel management graduates go to foreign countries.”

Long hours, greater rewards
In F&B one has to work for 11 or 12 hours a day. So a young recruit should be prepared for the grind. But look at the brighter side, says Pahwa. At the age of 25 or 27 you may already be a restaurant manager, supervising 20-30 people.  Although, the pay isn’t that good compared to other service sectors,   perks such as medical and house rent allowances and a good work environment are good incentives to continue to be part of the industry. “The Welcome Group has made it so wonderful for me here that

I haven’t made my CV, yet!”   

Beverages and Wines
A bartender has very specific skills as the job involves making and serving beverages to guests. Typically, there are two job portfolios. One is that of mixing beverages, that is making and serving drinks, cocktails and mocktails. Thus bartenders are also referred to as mixologists. The other, is flaring; what Tom Cruise does lots of in Hollywood film Cocktail.

This act of juggling and swivelling bottles may look easy, but it needs much training and practice. Private tutors as well as institutes offer training in flaring. “Flaring is about showmanship!” says KM Kamalaksh, (known as Kama in the industry), a beverage consultant.

Flaring is optional for a bartender, but of course, a bartender has to be excellent at making drinks. It’s an art says Jay Rathore, General Manager, The Oberoi, Delhi. To be a mixologist, you simply have to be passionate, have a positive attitude and should like to socialise. This job requires high energy levels as it’s a 12-18 hour job and it usually starts at night. Bartending is taught as part of the F&B course at hotel management schools.

A bartender is also responsible for menu design, product development, bar management, training people and planning events. A small piece of advice from Kama for aspiring bartenders: don’t talk politics and religion at the bar. And remember, little wastage as every costs money! At a restaurant or a hotel, a bartender’s package starts from Rs. 25,000. With experience one could become a beverage consultant and earn in lakhs.

foodnbev2Sommelier
If bartenders are artists then sommeliers are poets. A sommelier is a wine advisor or a wine master who is an expert on the wine industry and understands pairing of wine with all food courses. To be a sommelier one has to have a palate as it is all about tasting wines and deciding the wine menu keeping.

Also, a sommelier should have a good pronunciation as many wines are French.

But the reality is that there aren’t many certified sommeliers in India. Indians are just beginning to get exposed to wine culture and thus one may not always find wine masters in all the good restaurants. Because sommeliers are yet to find their rightful place in the industry, they aren’t paid well. So anywhere between Rs. 15,000-Rs. 20,000 is the take-home. It isn’t easy becoming a sommelier. Smoking, having greasy and spicy food are a no-no and if you become a celebrity sommeliers like Magandeep Singh you may have to get your tongue insured!  

 

 

Articles

Certifications By Top Providers

MBA Finance
Via Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani
MBA Business Analytics
Via Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani
Executive MBA For Working Professionals
Via Indian Institute of Management Visakhapatnam
Business Analytics and Data Mining Modeling using R
Via Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee
The Science and Business of Biotechnology
Via Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge
Udemy
 587 courses
Edx
 390 courses
Swayam
 245 courses
Coursera
 196 courses
Futurelearn
 193 courses

Explore Top Universities Across Globe

University of Essex, Colchester
 Wivenhoe Park Colchester CO4 3SQ
University College London, London
 Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT
The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh
 Old College, South Bridge, Edinburgh, Post Code EH8 9YL
University of Bristol, Bristol
 Beacon House, Queens Road, Bristol, BS8 1QU
University of Nottingham, Nottingham
 University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD
Magister Jurisdiction
4 minMar 18, 2023 16:03 PM IST
GMAT Exam Dates 2025: City Wise Test Schedule in India
13 minDec 31, 2024 03:12 AM IST
Get answers from students and experts
Food Scientist

A career as a food scientist requires working full-time in the laboratory. He or she analyses data, works on computer programmes, and monitors the processors involved in food production. He or she examines raw materials and surroundings to detect problems. A food scientist is employed in research universities, government agencies, departments, and private entities such as food production facilities in order to do research work in terms of studying food production, storage, and transportation facilities. 

3 Jobs Available
Food Inspector

A career as a food inspector comes with the responsibility to ensure the food is healthy for human consumption. A food inspector inspects the food processing entities, manufacturing companies, restaurants, and dairy farms to collect samples for investigating the quality of food ingredients and preservatives being used in the food product to be sold in the market. Continue reading to learn everything you need to know about how to become a food inspector.

2 Jobs Available
Food Engineer

A Food Engineer is a professional who is responsible for processing, packaging, and improving food products. He or she either works in the agricultural or food processing industry holding the responsibility of ensuring higher quality of food products including safety, supply, nutrition, and value. 

2 Jobs Available
Food Technologist

Food technologists are responsible for developing healthy and safe food. They ensure the food being produced is hygienic and tastes the finished product. A Food technologist's career requires working in product development and with food product suppliers. This study is a blend of principles of management, science, and marketing to produce or develop quality and hygienic food. 

2 Jobs Available
Family Social Worker

In a career as family social worker, an individual help those people who grow up in dysfunctional families and suffer from mild to extreme dysfunction. Some people are able to overcome the obstacles that childhood brought them and have a positive impact on the future. This negative behavior brings great pressure on family members. Sometimes they need help to learn how to deal with certain family situations or problems faced on a personal level. Individuals who opt for a career as family social worker can help restore harmony by providing services to families in crisis.

4 Jobs Available
Chef

Individuals in chef career path work responsibilities include planning the menu, observing the kitchen, and supervising the entire kitchen staff. In the beginning, a trainee chef might be asked to wash dishes, clean the kitchen, and chop vegetables. There is a gradual process of learning and growth to reach the final destination ‘head chef’.

Every restaurant needs a culinarian and the country has a thousand great restaurant chains. So, there are immense career opportunities as well. In this article, we will discuss Chef roles and responsibilities, how to become a Chef in India, Chef skills, Chef eligibility, how to become chef after 12th and Chef qualification.

2 Jobs Available
Linguist

Linguistic meaning is related to language or Linguistics which is the study of languages. A career as a linguistic meaning, a profession that is based on the scientific study of language, and it's a very broad field with many specialities. Famous linguists work in academia, researching and teaching different areas of language, such as phonetics (sounds), syntax (word order) and semantics (meaning). 

Other researchers focus on specialities like computational linguistics, which seeks to better match human and computer language capacities, or applied linguistics, which is concerned with improving language education. Still, others work as language experts for the government, advertising companies, dictionary publishers and various other private enterprises. Some might work from home as freelance linguists. Philologist, phonologist, and dialectician are some of Linguist synonym. Linguists can study French, German, Italian

2 Jobs Available
Event Manager

Event Managers are professionals responsible for planning, organising, and executing various types of events, ensuring they run smoothly and meet the desired objectives. They coordinate all aspects, from selecting venues and managing budgets to overseeing logistics and collaborating with suppliers. Event Managers work closely with clients to understand their goals and tailor events accordingly. 

Event Managers manage teams, delegate tasks, and handle unexpected challenges to ensure events are successful. Strong organisational, communication, and problem-solving skills are vital in this role. They operate in diverse settings, including corporate, social, and entertainment events, and may work independently or for event management companies.

Also read: Bachelor of Event Management (BEM) Course

2 Jobs Available
Travel Agent

A travel agent works in the tour and travel industry. His or her work responsibility involves arranging travel for the end clients such as individuals, corporations, or groups on behalf of suppliers such as hotels, airlines, package tours, and other facilities. A travel agent involves working for an independent travel agency or can be a part of a travel agency. 

Individuals who opt for a career as a travel agent are involved in planning trips for their clients in their day-to-day life. Travel agents stay updated about the hospitality and travel industry. Students can pursue some travel agent courses, such as BTTM (Bachelor of Tourism and Travel Management), and MTHM (Master in Tourism and Hotel Management) to become a travel agent. 

2 Jobs Available
Hotel Manager

A hotel manager manages the hotel staff and services provided to clients and guests. Individuals in the hotel management career path, negotiate on contracts with vendors providing various services in the hotel. He or she coordinates with different departments to ensure that the best services and facilities are provided to guests. 

The hotel manager manages the hotel's budget. He or she supervises staff and maintains rules and regulations. The hotel manager handles customer relationships and solves their issues. Here, in this article, we will discuss the details of a hotel management career, and how to get into a hotel management career.

2 Jobs Available
Food Stylist

A food stylist is a culinary art specialist who is responsible for making the food look arranged in a presentable way decked up with accessories for a close shot. He or she works with chefs, photographers and editors.

2 Jobs Available
Bartender

The bartender is the person who mixes and serves drinks at the bar. He or she helps the people to serve drinks at parties which adds to the glamour of the event or the night and makes the environment like a party mood. It is difficult to plan parties without the help of a bartender serving beers and alcohol with all the mixing techniques. 

Students can pursue BHM (Bachelor of Hotel Management), or other related courses to opt for a bartender career in India. Here, in this article, we will discuss the details of how to become a Bartender in India, bartending a good job, bartender career growth, bartender roles and responsibilities, bartender courses in India, and bartender skills. 

2 Jobs Available
Station Master

A Station Master is also known as SM in its abbreviated form. He or she is an executive employed by Indian Railway Recruitment Board responsible for running trains at a station. The role of Station Master comes with the responsibility of being in charge of running trains at the station assigned to him or her. 

A career as Station Master requires to holds the responsibility to operate signals and ensure everything is as per the railway rules and regulations. The primary responsibility of the Station Master is ensuring that all the passenger amenities are fit and fine at his or her station so that travellers do not face any problems.

4 Jobs Available
Linguist

Linguistic meaning is related to language or Linguistics which is the study of languages. A career as a linguistic meaning, a profession that is based on the scientific study of language, and it's a very broad field with many specialities. Famous linguists work in academia, researching and teaching different areas of language, such as phonetics (sounds), syntax (word order) and semantics (meaning). 

Other researchers focus on specialities like computational linguistics, which seeks to better match human and computer language capacities, or applied linguistics, which is concerned with improving language education. Still, others work as language experts for the government, advertising companies, dictionary publishers and various other private enterprises. Some might work from home as freelance linguists. Philologist, phonologist, and dialectician are some of Linguist synonym. Linguists can study French, German, Italian

2 Jobs Available
Travel Agent

A travel agent works in the tour and travel industry. His or her work responsibility involves arranging travel for the end clients such as individuals, corporations, or groups on behalf of suppliers such as hotels, airlines, package tours, and other facilities. A travel agent involves working for an independent travel agency or can be a part of a travel agency. 

Individuals who opt for a career as a travel agent are involved in planning trips for their clients in their day-to-day life. Travel agents stay updated about the hospitality and travel industry. Students can pursue some travel agent courses, such as BTTM (Bachelor of Tourism and Travel Management), and MTHM (Master in Tourism and Hotel Management) to become a travel agent. 

2 Jobs Available
Travel Journalist

A travel journalist is one who travels to different locations, explores them, and researches their history and cultural heritage. The travel journalist plans and organises the trip and looks after factors such as bookings, routes, destinations to visit, expenses, and other logistics. The travel journalist writes about the experience throughout the journey on various social media platforms, magazines, or even blogs. 

He or she might also create travel guidebooks or memoirs to guide other tourists through his or her experience. Here, in this article, we will be discussing what a travel journalist does, travel journalist's salary is, how to become a travel journalist, how a travel journalist is in India, what a travel journalist's job description is, and what is travel journalism.

2 Jobs Available
Travel Planner

A travel planner is a professional who assists clients or people in planning and organising their trips. He or she is responsible for making arrangements for the client's travel requirements such as reservations, booking flights, and arranging transport. A travel planner may also visit the holiday destinations and resorts to help the clients make informed decisions.

In a career as a travel planner, he or she must design cost-effective travel packages according to the client's needs and budget and provide the best recommendations to them. The travel planner oversees the negotiations for the accommodation, transportation, rental companies, tour guides and restaurants for the clients to get the maximum benefits of trips.   

2 Jobs Available
Back to top