Hotel Food and Beverage Manager
Hotels and hotel casinos realize a great deal of their profits in their food and beverage departments. The Food and Beverage Manager holds the important position of being in charge of directing the food services of the hotel. Within the scope of the job, there is a vast array of responsibilities.
The Food and Beverage Manager is ultimately responsible for the quality of the service in all food establishments in the facility. He or she oversees the operation of all the hotel’s restaurants, room service, cocktail lounges, and bars. The person is additionally responsible for the food and beverage service for banquets, meeting facilities, conferences, and receptions. As part of the job, the Food and Beverage Manager is responsible for monitoring the supervisory staff in charge all the food and beverage preparation. The Food and Beverage Manager works with a staff that includes assistants, managers, and other service workers. He or she may be responsible for hiring and scheduling them or may assign this task to an assistant. The individual may also be responsible for training staff or developing training programs.
Generally, each restaurant or bar within the facility has a separate Food and Beverage Manager.
He/She is responsible for the service and profits in each establishment, making sure they are the best possible. The person schedules meetings on a regular basis to discuss these and other topics. The Food and Beverage Manager and the managerial staff of the various food establishments in the hotel are responsible for planning menus, including those for special celebrations, events, or hotel happenings and promotions, as well as those for special foods and drinks. They may develop themes within the food establishments, including decorations and wait staff costumes, as well as related food and drink items. To make sure the food establishments are as profitable as possible the Food and Beverage Manager must know how to estimate food costs. The person often deals with food suppliers, negotiating prices. Menus may then be adjusted to reflect seasonal and bountiful foods.
This position carries a great deal of responsibility and it is not usually a nine-to-five job. The Food and Beverage Manager is on call whenever a problem arises and he or she is needed. As part of this job, the Food and Beverage Manager is responsible for:
- Working closely with various food establishment managers
- Establishing standards for each restaurant in the facility
- Working with managers on any emergencies that arise
- Keeping in close contact with all managers to make sure everything is taking place as scheduled and problems are solved as they occur
Salaries for Food and Beverage Managers
Earnings in these settings can range from approximately USD 45,000 to USD 150,000 or more, depending on a number of variables. These include the specific facility, type, size, and geographic location. Other factors affecting earnings include the responsibilities, training, and experience of the individual. Many employment settings provide an annual bonus in addition to salary, depending on profits.
More states are allowing gambling facilities every year.
Establishments and locations where people can gamble are on the increase. Employment opportunities are fair for quality people seeking this position. The besttrained individuals will be the most marketable.
Advancement Prospects
Food and Beverage Managers can advance their careers by locating similar jobs in larger or more prestigious facilities. This results in increased responsibilities and earnings. Some individuals also climb the career ladder by moving into other hotel management jobs.
As noted previously, the better an individual’s training, the more marketable he or she will be. A number of different educational paths lead to this position. A bachelor’s degree in hotel management or hotel and restaurant administration is often required or preferred. Some individuals have moved into this position with a liberal arts degree coupled with related hotel and restaurant experience. There are also programs offered at community and junior colleges leading to associates’ degrees, as well as formal programs at technical institutes, vocation and trade schools, and other institutions in hotel and restaurant management. These programs plus experience in food service and hotel management may also be acceptable. Some Food and Beverage Managers are trained in food preparation at culinary institutes or have worked as apprentices in food service.
Special Requirements
Depending on the specific state that the individual works, he or she may be required to be state licensed and/or hold a health card.
Individuals interested in pursuing a career in this field should have a vast amount of experience working in food service. Ideally, but not always, this includes experience in management and cooking. Some Food and Beverage Managers worked as chefs prior to their current position. Others worked in a variety of hotel management jobs. Depending on the specific position and an individual’s education, applicants may be required to have from five to 15 years of experience working in the hospitality industry before landing a job such as this. Successful individuals need the ability to deal with a variety of people on different levels. They should be organized and detail-oriented. Administrative and management skills are necessary. Problem-solving skills are mandatory. A tremendous wealth of knowledge of every area of food service and management is necessary to be successful in this career.
Unions and Associations for Food and Beverage Managers
Additional career information may be obtained by contacting the Council on Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Education, the American Hotel and Lodging Association (AH&LA), the American Culinary Federation (ACF), and the American Institute of Wine and Food (AIWF).
Tips for Entry
1. If you are still in school, look for an internship to learn skills, make contacts, and network.
2. jobs in this field are advertised in newspaper classified sections under the headings such as “Food and Beverage Manager,” “Casino Hotels,” “Casino Restaurants,” “Food Service,” and “Food and Beverage.”
3. Join trade associations. They usually hold annual conferences that are invaluable for learning and making contacts.
4. Look for executive search firms specializing in the hospitality and gaming industry.