Here’s a Tasty Education in Hospitality Management

The mere uttering of the word, “Hospitality,” always conjures up images of sumptuous food consumed in an attractive and comfortable setting. These settings are managed by professionals who have successfully pursued and acquired the knowledge and skills taught through a Bachelor’s level Hospitality Management Food and Beverage program. Students enrolled in such programs study the fundamentals of food and beverage operations preparing them to oversee catering services, drinking establishments, banquet facilities and restaurants.

Food and Beverage is a Popular Choice
All students studying hospitality management receive some sort of food and beverage instruction since these operations are essential throughout the worldwide industry. Employment opportunities within this hospitality industry segment are many since major hotel, resort and cruise ship lines place great emphasis upon food and beverage services. Additionally, catering businesses are in constant need for well-educated and trained professionals who have acquired hospitality degrees specializing in food and beverage operations. Many people choose professional careers in the food and beverage industry that include positions as servers, bartenders, host and hostesses, cooks and chefs who all need the operations they are involved in to be managed by professionals who understand everything from local health codes to producing an effectively tasty, affordable – yet profitable – Tequila Sunrise cocktail.

Course of Study
A student enrolled in a four-year program leading to a Bachelor Degree in Hospitality Management Food and Beverage will first of all need to be a people-oriented person to succeed. This is an industry where a great deal of time is spent interacting with other human beings – guests and customers, employees, supervisors, vendors, trades people, media and more. Therefore, possessing an exuberant, fun-loving, people-pleasing personality is essential before studying the necessary topics to become a successful food and beverage hospitality manager. Your education pursuit will include coursework in:
• Customer Service
• Dining Room Service
• Human Resources
• Safety and Sanitation
• Menu Planning
• Facilities Structure and Maintenance
• Food and Beverage Equipment Operation
• Employee Supervision
• Procurement

More Food on the Table
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that there will be a predicted shortage of qualified food and beverage service managers in the coming decade. This is due, in part, to an ever-increasing American population and the country’s hunger and thirst for eating out – a result from being such a highly mobile and convenience-oriented society. Although many manager positions in the industry become filled by food service workers rising through the ranks, a professional with a bachelor’s level education can attract a great deal of entry-to-mid-level management positions upon completion of a qualified and accredited course of study. The BLS notes that an entry-level salary for professionals with a bachelor’s degree in food and beverage service is about $40,000 per year.

Diversity Provides Opportunity
The diverse nature of the hospitality industry provides a broad array of employment opportunities that may compel students in food and beverage management to focus on specialty areas such as restaurant management or banquet catering. The job requirements and duties may vary widely depending on the venue, for example, between family-friendly resorts to casino operations. Furthermore, graduation from an accredited top-flight training program gives applicants greater exposure when applying for positions in a competitive field. Schools offering excellent food and beverage management training include:

University of Denver
Established in 1946, the School of Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management (HRTM), at the Daniels College of Business, University of Denver prepares students for senior management positions in the fast-changing and competitive hospitality industry. HRTM graduates possess the knowledge and skills necessary to be successful in all aspects of the hospitality and tourism business.

University of Central Florida
Rosen College of Hospitality Management is located in the largest learning laboratory in the world for hospitality and tourism – Orlando – home to hundreds of tourism venues including Walt Disney and Universal Studios! Students at the Rosen College of Hospitality Management benefit from studying in a city that boasts 42 million visitors each year, and has 120,000 hotel rooms, 4,000 restaurants, and 75 theme parks and attractions.

Oklahoma State University
School of Hotel and Restaurant Administration is known as a program of distinction for more than 65 years. Students are prepared for careers in hospitality through meaningful teaching, quality laboratory practices, and supervised industry work experiences and internships. Learning is “hands on” and provides a bridge between the classroom and professional practice in the field.