What Types of Food Service Jobs Are There?

Food service jobs generally fall into two categories: production jobs (cooks/chefs/baristas/bakers/pastry chefs) & service jobs (hosts/waiters/dishwashers). Learn more about becoming a chef today & fill entry-level management positions at hotels & resorts.

What Types of Food Service Jobs Are There?

Most kitchens are organized into stations or sections, each of which is responsible for preparing different foods or menu items. All the stations together form what is called the line. Usually, each station on the line has a different name, but job titles often reflect the cook's experience and skills. This can be a bit confusing. For example, in larger establishments, the positions of first cook, second cook and third cook are common, but the skills and qualifications of people with these job titles may vary from restaurant to restaurant and, in some cases, may be linked to salary structures within the agreement Collective of a Union.

In addition, many people call themselves cooks when in fact they are cooks in a restaurant or someone who has had culinary training. Behind the scenes, many other people were involved in the preparation and service of their food, including cooks, chefs, shippers, a bus employee, and more. The various production and service positions in a food and beverage operation are numerous and varied, with different roles and responsibilities that focus on the ultimate goal of offering a quality product and a satisfied customer. What do we mean by production and service functions in the food industry? Production jobs are those positions that involve cooking techniques and the preparation of food or beverages through a variety of methods, such as baking or grilling. It can also include preparing cold foods, such as salads, drinks at a bar service, or uncooked desserts. Service functions include positions that take care of customers and those who dine at the restaurant.

There are managers in each area who oversee production and service workers. These are some of the popular restaurant production and service functions available in food and beverages. There are numerous production and service functions to be fulfilled within a food and beverage operation, many of which a customer may never see. Every function is critical to ensuring that a quality product is prepared in a timely manner and served to a satisfied customer. In the field of production, there are chefs, cooks, baristas, bakers and pastry chefs. Food service functions include hosts, waiters, dishwashers and those who set up tables.

All roles work together to ensure trouble-free operation of food and beverages. We see alcohol being served in many full-service establishments, although in some states alcohol is served in Chipotle. Food service is constantly evolving, and this chapter will highlight some of the notable trends and emerging issues. The ability to pay the bill at the table accelerates the service cycle and helps ensure the privacy of credit card details. Some may perform customer service responsibilities, such as taking orders and completing transactions for customers.

Years ago, food trucks and street food vendors wouldn't have been included in a textbook chapter, but today they are a popular and ever-growing segment. A variety of labels have been used for this segment over the years, including institutional, non-commercial, contract food, on-site food service and, more recently, managed services. Three of today's dominant players in non-commercial food service include Aramark, Compass and Sodexo. Learn more about becoming a chef today, including the types of chefs, the chef's career prospects, the culinary job market, and expected salaries. You can also fill entry-level management positions at a hotel or resort such as restaurant manager, bar manager, food & beverage manager or banquet manager. They use their leadership skills to ensure that kitchen staff comply with food safety laws; pay attention to detail to ensure that all meals meet restaurant quality standards; and their capacity for creative thinking to create unique dishes and solve problems of cook as they arise. Let's look at some of the various food service positions available in the operation of a restaurant and the roles and duties of those people.

Given their proficiency and importance hospitality management students must possess practical knowledge of the food service segment of the hospitality industry. They can work in a wide variety of food preparation environments including boutique bakeries; restaurants; supermarkets; hotels; resorts; schools; universities; etc. Rumor has it that the famous Halal Guys food cart on 53rd Street & 6th Avenue in New York City generates more than one million dollars in annual sales. With McDonald's alone spending nearly one billion dollars on advertising each year readers are certainly familiar with the quick-service segment.