There are a number of different jobs in the restaurant industry, including management, cooking, and serving. Although many restaurant employees learn on-the-job, formal training can give a big boost in placement and salary options. Generally, restaurant workers start at the bottom of the totem pole and work their way up to executive positions (with additional management training).
Specializations include:
- Baking
- Bartending
- Catering
- Chef
- Fry/Sauté Cook
- Line Cook
- Pastry Chef
- Serving
- Sous Chef
- Wine Steward
Food and beverage management encompasses a large number of specializations. Most restaurants have one head manager and perhaps some assistant managers. Managers are responsible for the smooth running of their operation. They hire new employees; supervise pay, benefits, suspension, and advancement; handle public and customer relations; report to the owner (if they are not themselves the owner); attend career training; supervise menu changes and inventory stocking; and more.
Depending on the size of the company, the type of job, and years of experience, workers may have duties such as training new employees, ordering inventory, supervising other workers, front-of-the-house management and customer interaction, and more. These additional responsibilities usually mean advancement in position (a new job title and better pay). Managers at chain restaurants can be transferred to other districts. Some managers, head chefs, bartenders, and bakers go on to open their own restaurants or bars.
Besides restaurants, areas of possible employment include hotels, banquet and catering services, cafeterias, private employment, and teaching.
Salaries vary considerably; most workers start out with low pay and can work up to moderate or even great pay grades. Some sample salaries (median earnings in 2002):
- Food service managers: $35,790/year
- Chefs/head cooks: $13.43/hour
- Restaurant cooks: $9.16/hour
- Cafeteria workers: $8.72/hour
- Waiters and waitresses: $6.80/hour (including tips)
- Bartenders: $7.21/hour (including tips)
More ALLSchools.com Network directories: ArtSchools.com, BartendingSchools.com, CookingSchools.com, HospitalitySchools.com
