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Unit 2 Exploring Careers in Family and Consumer Sciences
Food Service
The food service industry includes all the
establishments that serve meals and snacks
prepared outside the home. Generally, the food
service industry can be divided into commercial
and noncommercial ventures. Commercial food
service includes food service establishments
that prepare and serve food to the general public
for profit. For example, full-service restaurants
offer prepared meals that are served to custom-
ers. Quick-service restaurants and specialty
food providers, catering services, and services
provided by hotels, spas, and other recreational
facilities are also considered commercial food
service.
Noncommercial food service businesses
provide food service within established orga-
nizations such as schools, hospitals, and other
establishments. For example, a bookstore may
have a coffee shop within the store that is run
by another business entity. A sports stadium
may have several food vendors offering food
and beverage products within the stadium. (For
information about noncommercial food service
organizations, refer to Chapter 6.)
Food is a basic human need, and the food
service industry supports this basic human
need as well as providing a special experience
because of the nature of the products, menu,
ambience of the environment, or nature of cus-
tomer service. Because it meets a basic need, the
food service industry will always exist and the
career possibilities will be plentiful. Careers in
management, catering, and the culinary field
will be explored here.
Restaurant Management
How many times during the last month
have you eaten at a restaurant, cafeteria, din-
ing hall, or coffee stand? Buying prepared foods
is a way of life in the modern United States.
In fact, you would probably find it difficult to
determine exactly how many times you have
purchased prepared foods such as a sandwich,
a fruit smoothie, or a hamburger. At each of the
food service establishments you visited, a food
service manager was behind the scenes mak-
ing sure the product you desired was served in
a timely manner and appropriately hot or cold,
fresh, and convenient.
Food service managers direct and coordi-
nate the operations of businesses that prepare
and serve food. Many opportunities for food
service managers can be found in the private,
public, for-profit, and not-for-profit sectors. For
example, the United States military serves food
to hundreds of thousands of military personnel
each day.
Sample Career Areas in Hospitality
Banquet manager Convention and visitors bureau
director
Reservations supervisor
Bed-and-breakfast manager Country club director Resort owner/manager
Business travel specialist Cruise director Restaurant manager
Campground manager Destination management specialist Sales/marketing director
Casino manager Director of catering Theme park coordinator
Chef Executive housekeeping manager Tour broker
Concierge Guest services manager Travel writer
Convention/meeting manager Hotel manager Wedding or party planner
Figure 7-1 The hospitality field offers a variety of careers.