Chapter 4 Th e World of Food and Beverages 69
Others
Noncommercial foodservice is provided to in-
dividuals in an institution, such as the military or
a prison. These type of foodservices mainly serve
people who are not able or do not have time to
seek a commercial food and beverage business.
In fact, the United States Department of De-
fense, which oversees all military foodservice
operations, prefers that military personnel eat on-
base rather than go off-base to fi nd meals. For this
reason, it must ensure that all military bases offer
quality foodservice. The Department of Defense
estimates that it spends close to $5 billion on mili-
tary foodservice each year. Over 23,000 individuals
are employed in this industry, including manag-
ers, supervisors, preparation and service workers,
and cooks. In order to become a military foodser-
vice worker, individuals must fi rst complete about
20 weeks of training, including instruction in food
preparation in addition to Basic Combat Training.
Workers in this industry have the challenge of of-
fering foods that taste good and are reminiscent of
home, but also provide the nutrition needed for
military personnel to perform their jobs well.
Each foodservice operation is unique, yet each
one has to perform the same functions. Figure 4-13
lists and describes the 12 common functions. In a
small business, one person may perform several of
these functions.
The concept of the restaurant distinguishes one
restaurant from another. A restaurant concept is the
whole idea of the restaurant or the restaurant chain.
It includes the theme, target market, location, décor,
ambiance, and service style of a restaurant.
A theme is a specifi c idea around which some-
thing is organized. In a restaurant, the theme orga-
nizes everything the restaurant does. The theme
is carried out in the décor of the restaurant, the
uniforms of the servers, the type of food served,
and the look of the menu. For example, the theme
of the Hard Rock Cafe restaurants is rock and roll
music and musicians, 4-14. Each Hard Rock Cafe
plays rock and roll music and displays memora-
bilia from rock and roll musicians.
Ambiance is also a part of the restaurant con-
cept. Ambiance, or atmosphere, is the feeling or
mood associated with a particular place. Exam-
ples of ambiance include romantic, elegant, casual,
homelike, fun, and sporty. Ambiance is created by
the décor of the restaurant and the menu, table set-
ting, music, and lighting. For example, the Hard
Rock Cafe creates an atmosphere of high energy
with the music it plays and its décor. Mexican res-
taurants often use colorful plates, servers in col-
orful uniforms, and Mariachi music to create a
Mexican fi esta atmosphere. Barbeque restaurants
may use red-and-white checked tablecloths to cre-
ate a picnic-like feeling.
Functions in Foodservice
Restaurant Concepts
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4-12
A hospital patient’s meals are planned
according to their dietary needs.