For the Love of Food: Food and Beverage Management

The former food and beverage manager for an upscale casino in Reno, Nevada, worked his way up from being a homeless busboy to his executive position in just a few years. It's possible to advance in the field of restaurant management into a top administrative position or into the kitchen as executive chef or food and beverage manager, especially with a culinary degree and training.

Food Manager Job Outlook

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, opportunities in this field should be good due to job growth and the need to replace managers who leave the profession. In 2006, there were approximately 350,000 food managers in the U.S. making an average annual salary of over $48,000, with bonuses such as free meals and the chance to participate in advanced training in their fields.

Food Manager Duties

Food and beverage managers working in the hospitality industry in large hotels and casinos are largely responsible for overseeing the various restaurants on that property. They work closely with executive chefs to determine menus and gauge customer satisfaction. Food and beverage managers oversee the ordering of supplies, maintenance of the kitchen, and food quality. Because of this, they benefit by having culinary training as well as a degree in restaurant management, hospitality, or a related field. Food managers need to understand cooking and food, administration, hiring and firing employees--the whole gamut.

Culinary Training in Restaurant Management

Food managers must love what they do, because the job is often twelve to fifteen hours a day and sometimes seven days a week. For those whose managerial skills combine with their culinary training and passions, the field of restaurant management is perfect.

Sources

Food Service Managers(http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos024.htm)

Featured Schools

Salter College

Request Info

Enrich your life and advance your career with a liberal arts education from Salter College.

Campus Locations:
  • West Boylston
Programs:
  • Culinary Arts
The Art Institutes

Request Info

Develop your portfolio at The Art Institutes, and get a competitive advantage.

Campus Locations:
  • Austin
  • Novi
  • Philadelphia
  • Phoenix
  • Vancouver
  • Charleston
  • Portland
  • Henderson
  • Houston
  • San Antonio
  • Overland Park
  • Sacramento
  • Jacksonville
  • San Diego
  • Denver
  • Tampa
  • Santa Monica
  • Tucson
  • Santa Ana
  • Draper
  • Cincinnati
  • Arlington
  • Dallas
  • Nashville
  • North Hollywood
  • Charlotte
  • Minneapolis
  • Atlanta
  • Durham
  • San Bernardino
  • Pittsburgh
  • Virginia Beach
  • Seattle
  • Fort Lauderdale
  • Sunnyvale
  • Chicago
  • Indianapolis
  • San Francisco
  • Schaumburg
Programs:
  • Culinary Arts Level 2 (C)
  • Culinary Arts Level 1 (C)
Branford Hall Career Institute

Request Info

Get the career you want at Branford Hall Career Institute.

Campus Locations:
  • Springfield
Programs:
  • Culinary Arts
Culinary Institute of America

Request Info

The Culinary Institute of America can prepare you for an exciting career in foodservice.

Campus Locations:
  • Hyde Park
Programs:
  • Culinary Arts
  • Culinary Arts Management
Sullivan University

Request Info

All the schools in the Sullivan University System focus their programs on career-specific courses only-so you can get the education you need faster.

Campus Locations:
  • Lexington
Programs:
  • Culinary Arts
  • Professional Cook
Remington College

Request Info

Enhance your marketable skill set quickly with Remington College.

Campus Locations:
  • Garland
Programs:
  • AAS in Culinary Arts program
  • Diploma in Pastry Arts
Star Career Academy

Request Info

Star Career Academy - the career school of choice. What makes us unique, and unlike other trade schools, is the dedication of our staff to provide performance-based occupational training.

Campus Locations:
  • Syosset
  • Newark
Programs:
  • Professional Pastry and Baking Arts
  • Baking and Pastry Arts I