Friday, 16 January 2009

Hospitality Schools

Until now, you had heard about this subject plenty of times, but really didn't understand what all the fuss was about. When a prospective learner is looking to focus a culinary or hospitality instruct, there are some aspects that they should believe before they make their result. They first want to reveal if the instruct the institution submits hysterics the goals they have set for themselves. Next, they should look at the instructs accreditation. Also, they want to know if the institution rallies trade values by contacting the accrediting action, The American cooking Federation.
Question about the faculty. What print of values must the instructor rally in order to show at that particular institution? The learner also wants to know that on completion of their exercise, they will be frequent with and be able to maneuver utensils that are worn in that trade. Students should find out from the institution where their graduates are running and what print of assistance is presented to help graduates find employment after graduation.
Fortunately, there are a lot of opportunities nowadays for learners to arrange for hospitality and culinary instruct career exercise. Many high instructs and vocational instructs submit an open type of program linked to the hospitality trade. While winning these program, learners have the opportunity to be intricate in instruct banquets, catering instruct trial and/or running with their instruct refectory.
If you liked the first section of this article, stay tuned because we have more to follow in the next section! Somebody looking to focus hospitality instructs or instructs should see what print of job openings linked to the hospitality trade might be presented in their question. This not only arranges them for their official exercise, but it also gives them a good idea of what the hospitality trade is all about.
Squeal with people that are presently running in this burgeoning trade. Make an incline of questions you may have and get enter from a type of sources. This way the learner can get an idea of what it is like to work in the hospitality tackle.
There are certain qualities that are the keys to a successful career in culinary arts. First, one's plea to become a cook is of chief importance. Following is commitment, to manually and to the profession. This helps when life does not go according to their diagram. Professional outlook is next on the incline. It is important to be assured in your dress, your interactions and the errands you do. If you are perceived as a professional, you will be treated as one.
Last, are culinary and hospitality skills. Each learner must have the fundamental skills wanted to fastened an access-echelon arrange in the trade. These qualities are the shop blocks of a career and should to be the cornerstones of a learner's culture. Having this information handy will help you a great deal the next time you find yourself in need of it.

What you need to start a catering business

5 Things You Need In Order to Open Your Own Catering Business
You need to select a name - I know this seems obvious, but choosing a name is very important. This is what people will know your business by. A good name can drive customers to you. Think of something like: "Perfect Party Catering" or "Taste Buds" catering. You get the picture. By the way, feel free to use one of these names if you're looking for one.
Get a license - You will need a business license to open your catering service.
Permits - You will need to have a permit from the local Health Department to open your business. This is customary and no trouble to get.
Get a kitchen, equipment, and supplies - This is the real working blocks of your catering business. Make sure that you have everything you need to make diverse dishes quickly, because often you'll get calls from potential clients for last minute events. You don't need to build or buy a kitchen, you can rent one for not too much money.
Advertising material - You will need to have catering business cards, a few brochures to spread around, a website (which costs under 10$ a year), and an email address and phone number so clients can reach you.
All of these things aren't hard to do or manage, but they are necessary before you start your catering business

Starting a Catering Business

Catering for functions, weddings, parties and other occasions is big business. If you enjoy cooking and preparing food then a catering business might be for you. But it's important to ensure all the legal requirements are met and adhered to at all times, and you design your business to appeal to the kinds of customers you want to attract. From a small van that offers sandwiches and refreshments to local businesses, right through to a mobile caterer that supplies buffets for functions of a hundred people or more, there are lots of opportunities in the catering business for people who have the drive and commitment to succeed. Outlining exactly what type of food you would like to supply people with will determine your market, so it's important that you consider all the elements that go to make up a successful catering business before you start. Are you interested in doing cold buffets that you can supply ready prepared to your clients, or do you want to create hot buffets that you can set up at the venue? Do you like the idea of providing a proper meal for people to enjoy? Or does the idea of selling freshly made gourmet sandwiches to local offices pique your interest? Whatever kind of food you prepare and whoever you will be catering for, you will need to prepare it in premises that are fit for the purpose. Find out all the requirements you will need to meet from your local authorities, and make sure you don't cut any corners - they will want to inspect your premises to ensure they are clean and designed specifically for catering purposes. This applies regardless of whether you are intending to use a part of your home for this purpose, or rent an outlet to use for preparing food.

Hospitality Career

If you think a nine-to-five job is not meant for you because you love meeting people and entertaining them, a career in hospitality could be a good idea. This career is best suited to those who are ready to take up everyday challenges and work in high-pressure zones. However, there is more to the hospitality sector than pressure. It is a 24X7 entertaining job that lets you enjoy on the job.
India is a booming economy and upcoming tourist destination. In the current scenario, hospitality is a promising industry. According to reports, presently tourism and hospitality are the third largest net earners of foreign exchange. By 2010, they are expected to be number one. Thus, there are bright job opportunities in this field. The ninth five year plan predicts a shortage of 30,000 trained professionals every year.
Demand for hospitality professionals exists at many places such as hotels, resorts, restaurants, catering companies, guest houses and lodges, fast-food outlets, casinos and clubs, spas etc. Considering the flourishing tourism sector and the increasing spending capacity of the Indian middle-class, hospitality is set to be the next big thing in India.
High job opportunities and attractive salaries are making it a very sought after industry. Another attractions of this field is that, with a minimum academic qualification, one can find employment anywhere in the world.
There are various branches under Hospitality. These are Housekeeping, Bakery, Kitchen Stewarding and Cookery. Housekeeping has come a long way from being a job for illiterates to a high-profile job that requires people who hold diplomas, hold diplomas, have technical qualifications and are fluent in English. Housekeepers take care of housekeeping, horticulture, laundry, interiors and even guest relations. Private housekeeping businesses are also flourishing these days. There are both part-time and full-time options in this field.
Next comes cookery. A chef is the most important staff member at any restaurant or eating joint. A good chef can really raise the standard of place he is working at. For being a cook, one requires creativity, shrewdness, knowledge and willingness to learn through trial and error. The pay of a chef largely depends on his/her prowess, experience and skill-sets. These days, chefs can look beyond restaurants to work in sectors like in-flight catering, hospital catering, food styling, catering, restaurants, cruise liners and as entrepreneurs and consultants.
Bakery is a branch separate from cookery. Within baking, one could specialise in fields like bread-baking, pastry baking, cookie baking, demonstrating, R&D, marketing etc. There are good opportunities for bakers, decorators, trainers, process managers and distributors in this field. Kitchen stewarding requires maintenance of the kitchens of an eatery or hotel. Earlier, this used to be Head Chef's job but now it is a separate branch of work. A kitchen steward looks after cleaning and organising dishes, taking stock of inventory, maintaining hygiene and quality in the kitchen, keeping a tab on breakage and replacements. One can become a kitchen steward without any specific qualifications.. It is the attitude that matters here.
Those who are looking to pursue a course in hospitality have good options in India and abroad. One can either go for a course straight after 12th or a post graduate diploma. Institutes of Hotel Management are based across India in Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Aurangabad. The institute offers degree as well as diploma courses in hotel management, catering technology and applied nutrition.
The Oberoi School of Hotel Management based in Delhi is amongst the premier Hotel management institutes. It offers various courses such as : 2-year Management Training Programme, 2-year Senior Kitchen Training Programme, 2-year Housekeeping Training Programme. The institute also gives stipend and other facilities to students during the course of study.
Dr. Ambedkar Institute of Hotel Management, Catering and Nutrition, Chandigarh train students to fill the skill gap in the hospitality industry. The institute offers a Three Year Diploma Course in Hotel Management, Catering and Nutrition. It is a professional full time regular course recognized by National Council for Hotel Management and Catering Technology, New Delhi.
Another good institute is FHRAI Institute of Hospitality Management based in Greater Noida. It offers a BA in International Culinary Administration (BIA) BA in International Culinary Administration (BIA), Diploma in Hotel Operations Diploma in Hotel Operations, BSc in Hospitality and catering Management (BHCM BSc in International Hospitality Administration (BIHA), and BSc in International Hospitality Administration (BIHA).
Those who can afford to spend can also pursue courses in international universities. One can get an edge in the international market with a degree or diploma from a good hotel management school. Most of the reputed schools adhere to international standards and offer good facilities and learning environment to students.
Depending on one's qualification and interest, one could find a good job in the hospitality industry. It is a good time to join this sector as it is growing fast and promises good job options to youngsters.

Hospitality management online

An online certificate or degree in Hospitality Management qualifies graduates to apply for jobs at luxury resorts, cruise ships, deluxe spas, and many others. Through a distance learning course, working adults can study Hospitality Management at their own pace, without forfeiting current employment.
The field of Hospitality Management is expanding at an incredible pace. A distance learning course is a convenient way to prepare for a challenging career in this high-growth field. Students can earn 100 percent of the credits needed for a degree in Hospitality Management in as little as six months, without stepping foot in a traditional classroom.
An online course educates students in the principles of Hospitality Management, as well as hospitality engineering systems and the catering business. Students learn about marketing, occupancy forecasting, the front desk, reservations, organization, operations, security, room service, restaurant and bar management, housekeeping, staffing, meetings, banquets, purchasing, accounting, and more. Best of all, online Hospitality Management courses require no educational prerequisites or experience to enroll.
Hospitality Management professionals know how to build customer traffic, operate efficient food and beverage services, and make sure guests are satisfied in every way. Graduates of online Hospitality Management schools are qualified to manage a fine hotel, resort, or club. They have learned the skills necessary to own or operate a gourmet restaurant, run a country inn or bed-and-breakfast, or manage hospitality services for a cruise ship.

Friday, 2 January 2009

Hospitality industry

One of the few bright spots in the business world has been the burgeoning hospitality/travel/tourism arena. While the nation struggled through an economic slump that forced many Fortune 500 companies to downsize, leaving thousands of white collar workers unemployed, this industry managed to hold its

Sure there were some rough spots. Few would argue that the lodging segment didn't suffer some ill effects from the lingering recession, with hotel occupancy rates down significantly from the glory years of the 1980s. Yet, hospitality/travel is one of the few industries that has continued to grow and expand even through the toughest of economic times. And now that the economy is on the upswing, insiders anticipate the industry will surge to new heights. "I personally think that now is a better time than ever before for African Americans to get into the industry," says Brenda Harris, founder and president of Harris Travel Management Associates. "I say that because of the economic times and the fact that there are so many hotels that are hurting for business and are looking for a new niche. And I think that niche marketing is the way of the future, and many are looking to capitalize on the African-American meetings market to help offset some of the low seasons that they're having," says the San Diego-based entrepreneur, whose travel agency provides a variety of services, including travel for convention and group markets, African-American heritage tours, and destination management.
Concurring is Sheryl Taylor, sales manager for the Marriott Orlando World Center. "There has been a lot of realization by the hiring persons within hospitality," she says, "particularly in the hotel industry, to recognize that diversity is truly a strength."

Top 10 jobs in Hospitality and Catering

If there’s one rule of thumb that should apply to the work force, it’s this: Pleasant jobs call for pleasant people. And as of late, one industry needs friendly folks more than ever.
The hospitality industry, including but not limited to hotels, restaurants and meeting venues, is growing exponentially. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 12.4 million people work in the hospitality industry today, making about 8.6 percent of all employment. The hospitality industry is predicted to grow 17 percent between 2004 and 2014, adding more than 2.2 million new jobs to the work force.
“When economic times are good, there is a lot of money out there, which can be devoted to travel. People are more informed about things like wine or travel destinations than they were 20 years ago,” says Jeffrey Catrett, dean of Kendall College’s Les Roches School of Hospitality Management. “That has developed a much larger hospitality leisure market.”
Some people shy away from the hospitality industry for reasons such as long hours for little pay, often unaware of benefits including opportunities for advancement and six-figure incomes.
“The hospitality industry is a vibrant and glamorous field. A career in hospitality opens up opportunities to earn a very good living with six-figure incomes, almost all-expenses-paid and it offers a more dynamic work environment than most professions,” Catrett says. “If you consider the level of accommodation that companies provide for top managers, or even the day-to-day perks that hotel and restaurant managers get for free, you find that the salaries are very competitive with other industries.”
If you’re looking for a job in an industry with continued job growth, here are 10 jobs to try your hand at:
1. Hotel general managerResponsibilities: Directs everything involved in the operation and financial result of the property; creates standards for personnel administration and performance, service to patrons, room rates, advertising, publicity and food selection.Training: A combination of more than two years of directly-related training and/or experience.U.S. average salary: $149,456
2. Hotel clerkResponsibilities: Performs an assortment of services for hotel guests, such as guest check-in and check-out, assigning rooms and answering inquiries to hotel services.Training: A combination of three to six months of directly-related training and/or experience.U.S. National average salary: $19,710
3. BellhopResponsibilities: Escorts incoming hotel guests to rooms; assists with luggage; offers information about available services and facilities of hotel and entertainment attractions; inspects guest's room to make sure things are satisfactory.Training: Short-term on-the-job training.U.S. average salary: $15,995
4. Meeting and convention plannerResponsibilities: Plans meetings and special events of various sizes. Coordinates such logistics as budgets, speakers, entertainment, transportation, facilities, technology, equipment, logistical requirements, printing, food and beverage, and other related issues.Training: A combination of six to 12 months of directly-related training and/or experience.U.S. average salary: $60,245
5. ConciergeResponsibilities: Assists guests with everything from making restaurant reservations to acquiring tickets to special events to helping with travel arrangements and tours of interesting places to visit. Training: Short-term on-the-job training.U.S. average salary: $16,262
6. Maitre d’Responsibilities: Also known as the head waiter, the maitre d’ assigns customers to tables; makes advance reservations; oversees all aspects of the dining room experience for patrons; makes sure all waiters are doing their jobs effectively.Training: Most start out as food and beverage servers and work their way up to the position. College courses in hotel and restaurant management or business administration are also a definite asset.U.S. average salary: $28,000 - $45,000, depending on establishment.
7. Executive chefResponsibilities: Oversees all kitchen activity, such as menu creation and staff management; utilizes food surpluses and leftovers; tracks popularity of various dishes; estimates customer food consumption; tests cooked foods by tasting and smelling them; creates special dishes and recipes.Training: A combination of more than four years of directly-related training and/or experience.U.S. average salary: $46,206
8. Reservation ticket agentResponsibilities: Answers phone or e-mail inquiries; offers suggestions and information about travel arrangements, such as schedules, rates and types of accommodation; quotes fares and room rates; makes and confirms transportation and hotel reservations. Training: A high school diploma or its equivalent is the most common educational requirement, but some employers prefer applicants who have completed college coursework in management or business.U.S. average salary: $27,750
9. Maids and housekeeping cleanerResponsibilities: Such light cleaning duties as making beds, replenishing linens, cleaning rooms and halls, vacuuming, emptying wastebaskets and restocking bathroom supplies.Training: No previous work-related skill, knowledge or experience is needed; short-term on-the-job training.U.S. average salary: $20,124
10. Gaming dealerResponsibilities: Operates table games such as craps, blackjack and roulette; provides dice and dispenses cards to players; determines winners, calculates and pays winning bets, and collects losing bets. Training: Most employers prefer at least a high school diploma or GED. Each casino establishes its own requirements for education, training and experience. Many institutions give training toward certificates in gaming, as well as offering an associate, bachelor’s or master’s degree in a hospitality-related field.U.S. average salary: $14,340