What do you do when you visit a restaurant?
The first step is to look for a table. The next is to have a discussion about what to have. Then you order food. And the food arrives on your table.
Say, for instance, you ordered a sandwich. It requires vegetables, bread, different sauces, cheese, etc. But have you wondered how that food gets these ingredients? Or have you ever been told that due to a lack of ingredients your order cannot be made? Very rarely!
This is because there is someone who anticipates the needs and orders these ingredients in a way that serves the customers all day (Sometimes they might go wrong). This is the role of a food service manager.
If you are eager to know more about this profession, read the blog further and get the information required on how to become a Food service manager– the education, skills, job preparation, salary insights, and much more.
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Who is a Food Service Manager?
Restaurants and other businesses that make and serve food and beverages on a daily basis are run by food service managers. They manage the company to maintain profitability while directing workers to ensure that diners have a positive eating experience.
Learn more: How To Become A Hotel Manager – Detailed Guide
How to become a Food Service Manager?
Step 1: Stream Selection
Students from various disciplines, including commerce, science, and the arts, can pursue a career in food and service management, therefore there is no particular subject needed in the 10th or 12th grade to follow a course in this field.
Step 2: Certificate and Project Courses to become a food service manager
You can take a few online courses if you’re hesitant to determine whether a career as a food service manager is suited for you. These programs can help you pinpoint your preferences more quickly. You can enrol in these classes even after finishing the tenth grade since there are no requirements. Consider a handful of the following programs:
Certificate Courses | Institute offering the course | Duration |
Food & Beverage Management | Coursera | 1-3 Months |
Quick Service Restaurant Management | Udemy | 15.5 hours of content (Self-paced) |
Culture of Services: Paradox of Customer Relations | edX | 8 Weeks |
Hospitality Management Studies – Food And Beverage Services | Alison | 1.5-3 Hours |
Step 3: Educational Qualifications to become a food service manager
What do you need to study to become a food service manager in India after 12th –
A) Undergraduate/Diploma Courses
To get into Food and service management there is no one mandatory degree that will land you a job. There are multiple ways you can get into the field. Some options are:
Undergraduate Degree | Duration |
B.A. In Culinary Arts | 3 Years |
Bachelor of Hotel Management and Culinary Technology | 4 Years |
B.Sc in Culinary Arts | 3 Years |
Bachelor of Catering Technology and Culinary Arts | 3 Years |
BBA in Hotel Management | 3 Years |
There are also certain diploma courses that you can do in order to gain specialized knowledge in the field. Some of those that you might want to check out include:
Diploma Courses | Institute offering the course | Duration |
Diploma in Food and beverage | ICE College of Hotel Management and Catering Technology | 6-12 months |
Diploma in Food and beverage services | National Council For Hotel Management and Catering Technology | 15 Months |
Diploma in Food and beverage services | IHM, Lucknow | 1 Year |
Diploma in Food and beverage services | IHM, Goa | 18 Months |
Diploma in Food and beverage service | SRM Institute of Hotel Management | 18 Months |
B) Top Colleges
- Indian Institute of Hospitality and Management, Mumbai
- Welcomgroup Graduate School of Hotel Administration, Manipal
- Parul University, Vadodra
- ITM – Institute of Hotel Management, Mumbai
- JIS University, Kolkata
- ITM – Institute of Hotel Management, Ahmedabad
- Indian School of Hospitality, Gurgaon
- The Neotia University, Kolkata
- Jagran Lakecity University, Bhopal
To become a food service manager abroad –
A) Undergraduate/Diploma Courses
Some of the courses abroad that you can check out abroad to become a Foods and Service manager include:
Undergraduate Degree | Duration |
Bachelor of Business Administration in Professional Culinary Arts | 4 Years |
Bachelor in Food System: Management, Sustainability, and Technologies | 3 Years |
Honors Bachelor of Commerce (Culinary Management) | 3-4 Years |
Bachelor in Hospitality and Culinary Arts | 3-4 Years |
Bachelor in Culinary Arts & Service Management | 3-4 Years |
Bachelor of Business in Hotel Management | 3 Years |
These courses and duration might differ depending on which country you apply to.
There are also certain diploma courses that you can pursue if you don’t want to invest so much time and money. Some of the courses you can check out include:
Diploma Course | Institute offering the course | Duration |
Diploma in Hospitality Hotel and Restaurant Operations Management | Durham College, Canada | 2 Years |
Diploma in Hospitality Hotel & Restaurant | St. Clair College, Canada | 2 Years |
Diploma in Culinary Management | Loyalist College | 2 Years |
Diploma in Culinary Management | Selkirk College | 1 Year |
Diploma in Nutrition and Food Service Management | Fanshawe College | 2 Years |
Diploma in Culinary And Catering Operations | TEG International College | 1-2 Years |
Also read: How to become an Event Manager
B) Top Colleges
- George Brown College, Canada
- Varna University of Management, Bulgaria
- Dusit Thani College, Bangkok
- Australian School of Management, Australia
- University of Parma, Italy
- Paul Smith’s College, USA
- University of Essex, UK
- National University of Ireland Galway, Ireland
- Royal Roads University, Canada
Step 4: Job Preparation required to become a Food Service Manager
A food service manager requires a degree in either hotel management or hospitality. However, there are things that you can do to differentiate yourself from others:
- Start small
Most food service managers begin their careers in occupations connected to the business, like those of cooks, waiters, waitresses, or hosts and hostesses. Before being promoted to manager positions, they frequently spend years honing the necessary abilities while working under the supervision of an experienced employee. Thus, you can start small when beginning your career.
- Take some additional Training while Interning
Some of the Internships might provide you with classroom education and on-the-job training, especially for restaurant chains and food service management firms. Food preparation, hygiene, security, corporate rules, human resource management, and recordkeeping are just a few examples of possible topics that you can request.
- Connect with other service professionals globally:
The development of technology has made it simple to interact with service specialists. LinkedIn is one method you can use to accomplish that. Or even their email addresses might be mentioned on blogs or college websites.
Skills required to become a Food Service Manager
- Oral Communication
- Written Communication
- Customer Service
- Organization skills
- Ability to predict
- Detail-orientedness
- Interpersonal Skills
- Multitasking
- Problem Solving
- Team Management
Salary of a Food Service Manager
Salary in India of a Food Service Manager
A lot about the salary depends on the kind of hotel or restaurant chain you are working for. However, as a fresher, you can expect to get anything between 3 LPA- 5 LPA. And once you gain some experience, you can definitely expect to earn more.
Salary Abroad for a Food Service Manager
Even Abroad the variables affecting the payments remain the same. However, a general overview of the salary insights is given below:
Country | USA, | UK | Canada | Australia | Spain | France | New Zealand |
Average Salary/year | $76347 | £31662 | C$50810 | AU$71169 | 22,080 EUR | €62,188 | 121,000 NZD |
Read more: Career as a Chef
Top Recruiters in India
- Deloitte
- Taj Hotels
- Oberoi
- ITC Hotels
- Amul
- KFC
- Sodexo
- McDonald’s
- Nestle
- Nirulas
- Starbucks
- Cafe Coffee Day
Top Recruiters Abroad
- Target
- Taco Bell
- McDonald’s
- Morrison Healthcare
- Compass Groups
- Chipotle
- Costco Wholesale
- Walmart
- Chick-fil-a
- Pepsi co.
FAQs about how to become a Food Service Manager
How can I work in the food industry?
Along with a high school diploma in the subject, Culinary arts bachelor’s degree holders will be given preference. Thus, a bachelor’s degree in culinary arts or hotel management is required for those seeking a senior position.
What do you do as a manager of a restaurant service?
The following are common tasks for food service managers:
–Employees are hired, trained, disciplined, and occasionally let go.
–Place a purchase order for supplies, equipment, and food.
–Control the cooking process and other kitchen activities.
–Examine the tools, supplies, and workspaces.
–Make sure that personnel adheres to health and food safety regulations.
What advantages do food service managers enjoy?
Benefits for food service managers typically include health and life insurance, paid time off, and a pension plan. Some employees might also get bonuses, extra training as needed, and complimentary meals.
Is food service management difficult?
It’s challenging to manage a restaurant. Fast-paced and stressful, it calls for a unique combination of abilities and personality qualities (most importantly, staying cool under pressure).
How much does a food service manager earn?
The type of hotel or restaurant chain you work for greatly affects your pay. However, as a fresher, you might anticipate receiving anything from 3 to 5 LPA. Additionally, you can anticipate making more money once you have some expertise.
How long do food and service managers put in each day?
Managers frequently put in 10 to 12 hours a day, sometimes up to six days a week. A Manager may work regular hours during the week or a variety of hours including evenings, weekends, and holidays depending on the normal business hours of the organization.