About This Career

Plans, directs, or coordinates activities of an organization or department that serves food and beverages.

This career is part of the Hospitality and Tourism cluster Restaurants and Food/Beverage Services pathway.

A person in this career:

• Keeps records required by government agencies regarding sanitation or food subsidies.
• Investigates and resolves complaints regarding food quality, service, or accommodations.
• Maintains food and equipment inventories, and keeps inventory records.
• Monitors food preparation methods, portion sizes, and garnishing and presentation of food to ensure that food is prepared and presented in an acceptable manner.
• Schedules and receives food and beverage deliveries, checking delivery contents to verify product quality and quantity.
• Coordinates assignments of cooking personnel to ensure economical use of food and timely preparation.
• Monitors compliance with health and fire regulations regarding food preparation and serving, and building maintenance in lodging and dining facilities.
• Counts money and makes bank deposits.
• Establishes standards for personnel performance and customer service.
• Greets guests, escorts them to their seats, and presents them with menus and wine lists.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

People who do this job report that:

• You would often handle loads up to 10 lbs., sometimes up to 20 lbs. You might do a lot of walking or standing, or you might sit but use your arms and legs to control machines, equipment or tools.
• Work in this occupation involves use of protective items such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hearing protection, a hard hat, or personal flotation devices
• Work in this occupation requires being inside most of the time
• Work in this occupation involves making repetitive motions more than one-third of the time
• Work in this occupation involves standing more than one-third of the time
• Work in this occupation involves walking or running more than one-third of the time

Working in this career involves (physical activities):

• Seeing clearly up close
• Speaking clearly enough to be able to be understood by others
• Identifying and understanding the speech of another person

Work Hours and Travel

• Overtime work
• Rotating shift work
• Weekend work