The Diverse Food Service Career

March 2, 2010

The food service industry generally encompasses the places, institutions, and companies responsible for any meal eaten away from home. This industry includes restaurants, school and hospital cafeterias, catering operations, and many other formats. Major foodservice providers include Compass Group, Sodexho, Aramark, and the Crown Group.

The companies that supply foodservice operators are called foodservice distributors. Foodservice hard goods like ovens and refrigerators are often sold by large buying groups.

Some companies manufacture products in both consumer and foodservice versions. The consumer version usually comes in individual-sized packages with elaborate label design for retail sale. The foodservice version is packaged in a much larger industrial size and often lacks the colorful label designs of the consumer version.

Catering is the business of providing food service at a remote site. A mobile caterer serves food directly from a vehicle or cart designed for the purpose. Mobile catering is common at outdoor events (such as concerts), workplaces, and downtown business districts.

An event caterer serves food with wait staff at dining tables or sets up a self-serve buffet. The food may be prepared on site or shipped in but often some combination depending on the menu and facilities at the site. The event caterer staff is responsible not only for preparing the food but also setting up the dining area and waiting tables. This service is typically provided at banquets, conventions, and weddings. Any event where all the attendees are provided with food and drinks or sometimes only hors d’oeuvres is often called a catered event.

A catering company or specialist is expected to know not just food preparation, but how to make it attractive. A wedding requires working with the entire theme or color scheme of the wedding.

Much catering is sold on a per-person basis, where adding additional people is a flat price per person. Keeping the cost of the food and supplies below this is required to make a profit on the catering.

Industrial catering includes providing food for airline passengers, schools, prisons and other institutional settings. It can include contract management of client foodservice facilities. Airlines often have divisions or hire third parties to provide food for passengers. Food on airlines has dropped in frequency of flights it’s offered on. Today a drink and snack item are common on shorter flights. Airline food is often seen as bad by the people who eat it.

A waiter is a male who “waits” on tables, often at a restaurant or a bar. A female who “waits” on tables is often called a waitress. The gender-neutral server and collective waitstaff can also be used.

Waiting tables is one of the most common occupations in the U.S. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that, as of May 2005, there are over 2.2 million persons employed as waiters and waitresses in the U.S.

Waiters’ duties include preparing tables for a meal, taking customers’ orders and serving drinks and food in a restaurant. Depending on the restaurant, other less common duties may be required, such as singing birthday songs to customers who are celebrating a birthday. A theme restaurant may even require waiters to dance (e.g. Joe’s Crab Shack). There are now event caterers that outsource waiter/s/esess to events and specific functions.

“Silver Service” waiters are specially trained to serve at banquets or high-end restaurants. They follow specific rules of service and it is a skilled job. They generally wear black and white with a long, white apron (extending from the waist to ankle).

The head waiter or waitress is in charge of the staff of waiters and/or waitresses, and is also responsible for assigning seating. This person can also be referred to as the ma?tre d’h?tel. Some restaurants employ busboys or busgirls to assist the waiters and/or waitresses.

In the United States and some other Western countries, it is customary to tip a waiter or waitress after a meal. In the U.S., waiters and waitresses, like other “tipped” employees, can be paid a lower minimum wage than other occupations. For example, waiters and waitresses in Georgia are generally paid around $2.13 an hour.

In contrast, waiters and waitresses in many East Asian countries refuse tips, which are sometimes even considered an insult. Many cultures in the region believe that leaving a tip implies that the waiter or waitress is not being paid enough by his or her employer.

A cocktail waitress is a type of server who specializes in bringing drinks to patrons of bars, casinos, comedy clubs, live music venues and other drinking establishments. Casinos traditionally dress their cocktail waitresses in fancy outfits with very short skirts, while less flashy establishments require waitstaff attire. A tip of $1/drink is customary.

A bartender serves beverages behind a bar in a bar, pub, tavern, or similar establishment. This usually includes alcoholic beverages of some kind, such as beer (both draft and bottled), wine, and/or cocktails, as well as soft drinks or other non-alcoholic beverages.

In addition to their core beverage-serving responsibility, bartenders also:
-take payment from customers (and sometimes the waiters or waitresses);
-maintain the liquor, garnishes, glassware, and other supplies or inventory for the bar (though some establishments have barbacks which help with these duties);
-serve food to customers sitting at the bar.
-In establishments where cocktails are served, bartenders are expected to be able to properly mix hundreds to thousands of different drinks.

A cook is a person employed to prepare food for consumption, whether in a restaurant or institution, for a caterer or in domestic service. A fully qualified, experienced cook is sometimes referred to as a chef (French ‘chief’), although within the professional kitchen, the term chef is reserved only for the executive chef or chef de cuisine (French ‘kitchen chief’, i.e. kitchen master). A short order cook is a cook who prepares fast, easily-assembled meals to order, often working in a diner or cafe.

Cooks may learn their trade through apprenticeship, particularly in smaller establishments and staffed households, often starting as a kitchen boy, but that lowest rank, as the name indicates traditionally filled by minors, doesn’t have to lead to a cook’s career. The top restaurants nowadays hire from the graduates of professional cooking courses at culinary schools; these almost always involve some form of apprenticeship as well. In general, most restaurants have a hierarchy of cooking staff.

Josh Stone
http://www.articlesbase.com/careers-articles/the-diverse-food-service-career-55273.html

  1. 5 Responses to “The Diverse Food Service Career”

  2. Can someone please edit my essay?
    As a single mother, I have been confronted with, and have successfully overcome issues such as poverty, financial hardships, homelessness, and single parenting. Consequently, I have become committed to helping others achieve personal growth, as well as a state of general well-being. I have worked with individuals from diverse backgrounds, who were facing issues such as homelessness, living with a disability, aging, mental illness, and raising a child as a single parent. As a result of my own personal experiences, I am able to relate to the constant despair and frustration experienced by those who find it challenging to cope with everyday life. I am convinced that increasing one’s own sense of empowerment can make the difference between a future of despondency and one filled with hope.
    I am applying to the Master’s in Social Work Program because it is a step toward pursuing my life’s mission: helping others in embracing their inner potential to make a positive life transition. Preparation to achieve my personal goal began while I worked at Harbor View Adolescent Center as a Youth Counselor. My primary work responsibility was to serve as a positive role model for adolescents between the ages of twelve to eighteen. The adolescents encountered issues such as physical and sexual abuse, abandonment, drug and alcohol abuse, bulimia, depression, and severe behavioral problems. At times, the position was extremely stressful, however, I discovered that I had the ability to connect with the adolescents and develop strong emotional ties. While working with them, I focused on several areas of treatment, including, social skills, vocational skills, and independent living skills. My main ambition was to help them build their self-esteem and improve their sense of security. As a youth counselor, I have gained valuable experience in listening to people, and helping them make positive decisions in order to improve the quality of their lives. My career goal specifically targets working with vulnerable and oppressed individuals, because I want to ensure that these groups of individuals have access to effective services, quality resources, and much needed guidance.
    There are several aspects of my personal strengths that I can bring to the field of Social Work. I am highly caring in regards to individual needs and feelings. I have the ability to communicate effectively with people and listen to their needs as well. I also speak Spanish fluently and I can help meet the needs of Spanish speaking clients. As far as my administration abilities, I am very efficient with using a computer, reports, quarterlies, and paperwork documentation. I received an outstanding award for being a "Change Leader in 2008" for improving the quality of lives of the adolescents that I serve. I am diligently making sure that each of their medical needs are met.
    Social workers work to create a change towards equality, justice, human rights, and the well-being of all individuals. This includes, but is not limited to, the most helpless in society, the disadvantaged, poor, vulnerable and oppressed individuals. Social workers empower individuals with the tools necessary to achieve their goals and live their lives to the fullest. This is why I am going to devote my life to helping create a more equitable society. All individuals have a fundamental right to live decent, dignified, and productive lives, but society is structured in a way that not all individuals have equal access to food, housing, education and employment opportunities. As social workers, it is our responsibility to ensure that individual needs are met so people can be more self-sufficient and able to make the best possible choices for themselves.

    By Catwoman on Mar 2, 2010

  3. As a single mother, I have been confronted with, and have successfully overcome issues such as poverty, financial hardships, homelessness, and single parenting. Consequently, I have become committed to helping others achieve personal growth, as well as a state of general well-being. I have worked with individuals from diverse backgrounds, who were facing issues such as homelessness, living with a disability, aging, mental illness, and raising a child as a single parent. As a result of my own personal experiences, I am able to relate to the constant despair and frustration experienced by those who find it challenging to cope with everyday life. I am convinced that increasing one’s own sense of empowerment can make the difference between a future of despondency and one filled with hope.
    I am applying to the Master’s in Social Work Program because it is a step toward pursuing my life’s mission: helping others in embracing their inner potential to make a positive life transition. Preparation to achieve my personal goal began while I worked at Harbor View Adolescent Center as a Youth Counselor. My primary work responsibility was to serve as a positive role model for adolescents between the ages of twelve to eighteen. The adolescents encountered issues such as physical and sexual abuse, abandonment, drug and alcohol abuse, bulimia, depression, and severe behavioral problems. At times, the position was extremely stressful, however, I discovered that I had the ability to connect with the adolescents and develop strong emotional ties. While working with them, I focused on several areas of treatment, including, social skills, vocational skills, and independent living skills. My main ambition was to help them build their self-esteem and improve their sense of security. As a youth counselor, I have gained valuable experience in listening to people, and helping them make positive decisions in order to improve the quality of their lives. My career goal specifically targets working with vulnerable and oppressed individuals, because I want to ensure that these groups of individuals have access to effective services, quality resources, and much needed guidance.
    There are several aspects of my personal strengths that I can bring to the field of Social Work. I am highly caring in regards to individual needs and feelings. I have the ability to communicate effectively with people and listen to their needs as well. I also speak Spanish fluently and I can help meet the needs of Spanish speaking clients. As far as my administration abilities, I am very efficient with using a computer, reports, quarterlies, and paperwork documentation. I received an outstanding award for being a "Change Leader in 2008" for improving the quality of lives of the adolescents that I serve. I am diligently making sure that each of their medical needs are met.
    Social workers work to create a change towards equality, justice, human rights, and the well-being of all individuals. This includes, but is not limited to, the most helpless in society, the disadvantaged, poor, vulnerable and oppressed individuals. Social workers empower individuals with the tools necessary to achieve their goals and live their lives to the fullest. This is why I am going to devote my life to helping create a more equitable society. All individuals have a fundamental right to live decent, dignified, and productive lives, but society is structured in a way that not all individuals have equal access to food, housing, education and employment opportunities. As social workers, it is our responsibility to ensure that individual needs are met so people can be more self-sufficient and able to make the best possible choices for themselves.
    References :

    By xD on Mar 3, 2010

  4. As a single mother, I have been confronted with, and have successfully overcome issues such as poverty, financial hardships, homelessness, and single parenting. Consequently, I have become committed to helping others achieve personal growth, as well as a state of general well-being. I have worked with individuals from diverse backgrounds, who were facing issues such as homelessness, living with a disability, aging, mental illness, and raising a child as a single parent. As a result of my own personal experiences, I am able to relate to the constant despair and frustration experienced by those who find it challenging to cope with everyday life. I am convinced that increasing one’s own sense of empowerment can make the difference between a future of despondency and one filled with hope.
    I am applying to the Master’s in Social Work Program because it is a step toward pursuing my life’s mission: helping others in embracing their inner potential to make a positive life transition. Preparation to achieve my personal goal began while I worked at Harbor View Adolescent Center as a Youth Counselor. My primary work responsibility was to serve as a positive role model for adolescents between the ages of twelve to eighteen. The adolescents encountered issues such as physical and sexual abuse, abandonment, drug and alcohol abuse, bulimia, depression, and severe behavioral problems. At times, the position was extremely stressful, however, I discovered that I had the ability to connect with the adolescents and develop strong emotional ties. While working with them, I focused on several areas of treatment, including, social skills, vocational skills, and independent living skills. My main ambition was to help them build their self-esteem and improve their sense of security. As a youth counselor, I have gained valuable experience in listening to people, and helping them make positive decisions in order to improve the quality of their lives. My career goal specifically targets working with vulnerable and oppressed individuals, because I want to ensure that these groups of individuals have access to effective services, quality resources, and much needed guidance.
    There are several aspects of my personal strengths that I can bring to the field of Social Work. I am highly caring in regards to individual needs and feelings. I have the ability to communicate effectively with people and listen to their needs as well. I also speak Spanish fluently and I can help meet the needs of Spanish speaking clients. As far as my administration abilities, I am very efficient with using a computer, reports, quarterlies, and paperwork documentation. I received an outstanding award for being a "Change Leader in 2008" for improving the quality of lives of the adolescents that I serve. I am diligently making sure that each of their medical needs are met.
    Social workers work to create a change towards equality, justice, human rights, and the well-being of all individuals. This includes, but is not limited to, the most helpless in society, the disadvantaged, poor, vulnerable and oppressed individuals. Social workers empower individuals with the tools necessary to achieve their goals and live their lives to the fullest. This is why I am going to devote my life to helping create a more equitable society. All individuals have a fundamental right to live decent, dignified, and productive lives, but society is structured in a way that not all individuals have equal access to food, housing, education and employment opportunities. As social workers, it is our responsibility to ensure that individual needs are met so people can be more self-sufficient and able to make the best possible choices for themselves.
    References :

    By Micheal on Mar 3, 2010

  5. It’s not bad, but overall I would make one major suggestion: get rid of all the passive voice (form of the verb "to be" such as: is, am, were, was, have and had.

    For example, instead of "My main ambition was to help them build their self-esteem … " say "By helping them build their self-esteem, I achieve my may ambition…"

    Getting rid of passivie voice will force you to write more descriptively with action verbs instead of "I am" blah blah blah.

    "It is raining." How exciting.
    How about: "Rain fell from the dark sky." Much better.

    See my point?
    References :

    By Dagger_SA on Mar 3, 2010

  6. It’s too difficult to edit a full essay on this site. Let me give you a couple of hints and maybe you can see similar changes.

    In the first sentence you use "single mother" and "single parenting." Drop the last one.

    You use past tense too much. "I have become committed …" Instead, say "I am committed …

    Use paragraphs to break the visual.

    Cut the verbage …"This includes, but not limited to, …" Don’t interrupt. Delete "… not limited to …"

    And … "This is why I am going to devote my life …" Drop the "This is why.."

    Some good stuff. Streamline it.

    Good luck.
    References :

    By seadoc4 on Mar 3, 2010

Post a Comment

© 2012 - Wedding Dance Blog - Brought by Theme by XHTMLValid.com - Designed by