Friday, January 21, 2011

Career in Food and Beverage Industry



In the later years a career in the food and beverage industry was a big No! No! Times have changed and people find the Food Industry more exploring, interesting and interactive, apart from the excellent salary package. If you hold an inclination to do something big in the Food Industry, initially you will have to start with little things. A skilled worker has more openings in this industry. A degree in culinary arts, nutrition & dietetics, food and beverage operations will do the magic. The Food and Beverage industry is all about Serving. The more you serve, the more you earn.

The Food and Beverage Industry is a huge industry, not limiting the job opportunities to specific openings. Food Service management requirements are similar to those of any other management position in the service industry. Any person, who is willing to work hard, enjoys dealing with people and supervising others can enter in the management level jobs.

Highlights on the various Divisions of Food and Beverage Industry

Bakery Industry

This sector is doing brisk business. Stiff competition in the global bakery market is a driving force for growth potential. The mindsets of people are changing, now people just don't want a round cake but designer cakes. The Job is not just limited to Baker and a Helper, it has moved on from just a "Bakery" to a giant size Bakery Industry. There are top level job positions namely Vice President, General Manager, Chief Financial Officer to name a few.

Hotel Industry

This is yet another section doing overwhelming business. Huge number of Job Vacancies lies in this area. Beginning from a Bartender, Chef and Room Service Boy right up to top managerial level jobs. This industry is also known as the "Hospitality Industry". This industry is directly associated with Free Time. The Hotels in Exotic Holiday Destinations are striving towards having brisk business. They try to reduce rates, brush up the facilities available and try to see that none of the rooms are empty.

Beverage Industry

When it comes to wine, drinks, the Beverage Industry rushes into action. The Key positions for this industry are Quality Analyst. People are so particular about food; there is a need for a Quality assurance manager in the Beverage Industry as here is it more dealing with drinks. Apart from this there are various other Jobs available here.

Bright Career Prospects

The career opportunities are brighter in the Food and Beverage Industry. Here you could choose the area of your interest. If you are a foodie and love to cook you could opt for the Hotel Industry and if you love to meet people and move to places the Hospitality Industry is calling you. Variations in Job profile is what the Industry offers. All you need to do is to slog it out and excel in your work.

Thursday, January 6, 2011

Food For Thought - Is Your Food and Beverage Operation Being Run Properly?



I eat food. I drink beverages.

Therefore, I am qualified to oversee a Food and Beverage operation.

In assessing the operations of many clubs/resorts each month, I find that one of the most poorly operated, inconsistent areas of club/resort operations is Food and Beverage. Especially in member owned environments, which are often overseen by a club board, people seem to think that because they dine out, they somehow have some level of expertise that allows them to make business decisions about this important aspect of the club. The reality is that this is one of the most complex departments in a club to manage, control, and produce a consistent experience.

Let's ask a few questions!

Is your Food and Beverage experience appropriate for what your members/guests want to have in your club/resort? Are you priced properly, too high, or too low? How do you know? Are you tracking cover counts by day? By shift? By hour?

Are your food selections stuck in yesteryear, a nice balance of old favorites and new selections, or edgy? Is your menu designed for function or fashion? Do you change your menu quarterly, or at least semi-annually to keep it fresh? Or is it changed every year or two and become a club dinosaur? What are your product specifications and portion sizes? Is every item on your menu costed? What is your goal for a la carte food cost? Do you know the contribution margin on every item on your menu?

What about your special events. Are they really special? Do they create a buzz in the Club? Are they eagerly anticipated or the same thing that was done the last 10 years with nothing more than the year changed in the newsletter and promotional piece touting the event? Is your staff challenged every quarter to try new events? New price points?

Got Value?

What about value added programming? It's happening every day in the hospitality industry. Chili's, Ruth's Chris Steakhouse, Flemings, Cody's Roadhouse, McDonalds, Quiznos, Subway, and many other national franchises are actively programming to keep people coming in. Any wonder the success rate of franchises is over 90% while the success rate of individually owned restaurants is about 10%?

What are you doing in your club to create a "WOW" for your members/guests in your Food and Beverage offerings? Are you standing pat on your $32 filet and $28 sea bass wondering why you are doing so few covers? Or, are you trying new concepts that may provide "meal replacement" dining instead of only "special occasion" dining?

Something as simple as Happy Hour can generate additional usage. Comfort food such as meatloaf, chicken pot pie, lasagna, or similar for" at $8 or $9 during the week are popular. Taco bars, pasta bars, burger night, half price on bottles of house wine, Fresh Fish Fridays or a Friday Fish Fry, a Chef's selection at a special price on slower evenings, sushi nights, appetizers at a special price, entertainment, and many other concepts and events drive usage, provide incremental revenue, and keep the staff working. Are you experimenting with new events in your club/resort? Give it a try. You'll be surprised at the buzz it creates.

The Experience

How is your dining room presented? With white tablecloths? No tablecloths? Placemats? Are you charging appropriately for the experience you are providing?

How are your buffets presented? Elegantly with skirting, floral displays, and shiny silver chafing dishes? Or rudimentary with little or no frills? Does it make sense?

Do you have standards of operation to ensure the food and beverage experience for your members/guests? Is every staff member wearing a clean and pressed designated uniform? Is there a specific manner to present menus, serve, food, cocktails, and wine? Are members called by name? Are specific steps of service in place?

Does the service staff know the composition of every item, sauce, and portion size from the menu? Is training provided at least monthly? Is your staff selling suggestively?

To explore business into this widely expanding industry, www.made-from-india.com gives you trade directory of Food & Beverage product , Indian Food & Beverage supplier & manufacturers, Food & Beverages exporters, Food & Beverage Traders, Food & Beverage Distributors, food manufacturers in India, Food & Beverage Factories, Food & Beverage Producers, wholesalers. Manufacturers and suppliers of bottles & cans of beverages. A large number of products like: alcohol, beverages, bread & biscuits, frozen food, saffron, snacks, spices & seasonings etc. are included under the category of Food & Beverages in the exclusive directory of www.made-from-india.com

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

The Food and Beverage Business - Sinking Its Teeth Into Robotics




Human labor in the food and beverage industry has been plagued with problems for quite some time now with issues such as productivity and efficiency, safety and cost-effectiveness being some of the major concerns. Because of these problems, more food and beverage manufacturing companies are looking to robotics to streamline their operations.

The use of robotics in manufacturing isn't a new concept. There are many industries that are now relying on robots for much of their day-to-day operations. Food and beverage companies are also beginning to see the advantages that robotics can do for their bottom line.

Advantages

Robotics systems help refine productivity. A lot of tasks involved in these industries require repetition and speed, and robotics can help companies get their products to consumers faster.

Another benefit of utilizing robots in production is that it enables manufacturers to establish a safer work environment. Traditionally, manufacturers depend on manual labor for product packaging, food assembly and even heavy lifting. But there is such a high potential for accidents in these tasks that it makes more sense to put in a system that can handle operations without the risk of physical harm.

There is also an improvement in terms of quality and safety. Sanitation is a vital issue in food handling and the reality is, the chances of contamination are higher when operations are handled by people. Human-initiated measures just don't compare to the cleanliness standards that can be achieved with robotics. Equally sophisticated sanitation technologies come along with these state of the art systems.

Pick, Pack and Stack

The majority of robotics systems in manufacturing lines are devoted to picking, packing and stacking functions as these are usually the areas that are most repetitive and speed-critical.

The picking function is one of the initial stages in the production process and efficiency is important during this phase. Food items take on a variety of shapes. It is vital that the robotics systems used are capable of handling such inconsistencies as these impacts highly on operational speed.

Packing is usually the area where robotics is most often utilized. Robotics has great potential in packing operations as there are numerous types of packaging used to wrap food in. Robots can be manipulated to efficiently handle the differences in package dimensions.

Product stacking is also an area where robotics can be used extensively. Stacking can be a complicated process especially when pallets are loaded with different types of products. Additionally, highly perishable products need to be loaded in a room with very low temperatures. Human laborers aren't able to stay long in these rooms and this is where robots take over. Also, there are certain equipment that won't work efficiently within cold temperatures. This problem is eliminated with the use of robotic systems.

Outlook for the Future

Experts are confident that the potential of robotics in the food and beverage industry will expand. The retail industry is seen as one of the areas where robotics can be incorporated. Fast food chains can benefit from using robotics. Currently there are developments on vending machine systems as well as the use of robots for bartending function

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Beverage Consultants Can Increase Profit



There are many times that a business owner may know how to effectively implement marketing strategies for their company, however hiring food or beverage consultants may also be beneficial to maximizing profit also.

Some business owners do not want to hire a food or beverage business consultant because they feel as if they are letting someone else run their business that they have supplied the investment in. Business owners also often worry about how much it will cost to hire an efficient industry consultant, this worry is especially increased when the profit margin is already at a minimal standpoint. However, hiring a knowledgeable consultant can bring many benefits to a company and its profit levels.

Since many business owners find it hard to be objective in some areas of their business, especially in areas where they lack expertise, hiring a food and/or beverage consultant can supply phenomenal amounts of objectivity and knowledge in the food and beverage areas because these areas are what they specialize in. These consultants are also essential because many business owners realize after starting their business that there are so many areas within the operation of their business that are more complex than initially thought.

So what areas of business can a good food industry consultant assist in?

An experienced and knowledgeable consultant can aid in the opening up and operational processes involved with starting a business. They can even advise where the correct location of the business would be most profitable. Project management and financial planning are other areas of expertise to most food and beverage consultants, along with operating systems, assessment of profits and even staff training and kitchen management.

One of the most key elements that a food and/or beverage consultants can provide is operational assessments. Many business owners can correctly notice that at times their business is not operating well; however, a food and/or beverage consultant can help identify problem areas and suggest ideas that should be implemented so that the business begins operating on an efficient level.

Friday, December 10, 2010

More Essential Facts About Healthy Food Recipes



Healthy lifestyle is indeed what you need. A nutritious balance in planning of your meal is important. You want to be satisfied of the kind of foods you want to prepare wherein you will be able to achieve the nutritional requirement needed by your body. There are times that you already forgot to eat your dinner because you are already tired from work all you want to do is to have rest. It is essential to have simple healthy food recipe for dinner in order for you to have the chance to eat a guaranteed foods that are good for your health.

At home you have your cookbooks that you feel like these are already ornament. Foods are great and pretty cool to look at that you want to try to know how to cook and prepare it but actually these are now useless if you try to pick a meal that was being served on the table. To think, with your hectic schedules you cannot even do it at all. With little time you can find or try other ways on how to make it simple and fast for you to cook food. Healthy food recipes that are great can be compiled that would be easy to do for friendly dishes, simple suppers and family meals.

One of type of healthy food recipe that is really a nutritious one is a veggie meal. You can have this as a source of protein that will give you more idea to know more other recipes with regards to a healthy diet. Why not try a vegetable lasagna recipe. This is a kind of vegetarian lasagna that is best once you have tasted it. This can be done by placing the vegetables into the oven for it to be roasted and bring out smoky, rich flavors and this dish is much appealing. It is a good choice for everybody or guest on dinner time.

Ingredients to be prepared are lasagna sheets, 2 zucchini, 1 eggplant, 1 red pepper, 1 white or red onion, small bunch of fresh basil, 2/3 cup/75g/30z grater mozzarella, 1/3 cup/50g grated parmesan, 3 cups/600g of cottage cheese, olive oil, and 500g/pound or fresh potatoes. Method in doing this begins by having the vegetables roasted, and then tosses the courgette and eggplant in the roasting container with the, garlic, onion, tomatoes, and pepper. Add olive oil 3 tablespoons and then season it with salt pepper and you must stir it well.

Next thing to do is for you place it in a hot oven in the degree of 200c/400F in one hour until the vegetables are starting to brown and very soft. You then remove the cooked vegetables from the oven and stir in the basil and olives. After doing so you can now start the vegetarian lasagna. Put one-third mixture of the vegetable at the base of a baking dish, with one-third of mozzarella being covered and now the lasagna sheets then add a layer of cottage cheese. Just repeat this layer pattern and finish it with a layer of cheese together with Parmesan to be sprinkled. Lastly baked it for thirty minutes until it becomes golden you then now can enjoy the healthy food recipe.

www.made-from-india.com gives you trade directory of Food & Beverage product , Indian Food & Beverage supplier & manufacturers, Food & Beverages exporters, Food & Beverage Traders, Food & Beverage Distributors, food manufacturers in India, Food & Beverage Factories, Food & Beverage Producers, wholesalers. Manufacturers and suppliers of bottles & cans of beverages. A large number of products like: alcohol, beverages, bread & biscuits, frozen food, saffron, snacks, spices & seasonings etc. are included under the category of Food & Beverages in the exclusive directory of www.made-from-india.com

Monday, December 6, 2010

Improve Your Product Campaign With Promotional Food and Beverage Products



Most people like getting treats. Food and beverages are some of the types of treats that they cherish getting. You can prove this by looking at people in groceries and supermarkets who like to line up for a costless taste of recent products or samples. It makes for instant gratification and is a good tool for introducing a new service or item. That's why corporate logo food and beverage products are great branding instruments.

If you're a prospective entrepreneur and you're thinking of ways to advertise your product, you might wish to start by giving away free logo imprinted food and beverage items on your next product launching day. You can show them in your booth and watch your future customers and clients flock around them. What's wonderful about them is that they have maximum stamping space for your advertising details like your company name and logo.

Here are more of their benefits that can hopefully convince you of their great marketing potential. Customizable food and beverage items can just be your next big displaying hit:

Satisfies the Palate - There are many different choices for food and beverage products and all of them are sure to gratify your customers' and clients' food yearnings. You can be clear that they will appreciate consuming these goodies.

Attainable in Attractive Packages - If you're in need of a nice client gift, you can make use of these commodities. They come in highly attractive containers that are optimal for client and even employee presents.

Do you like to give these imprinted food and beverage items a try? You definitely won't regret doing so! Here are some shopping pointers first before you hurry to the stores:

Take Note of the Expiry Date - It is fundamental for you to check the date of expiry of these food and beverage items so as not to conceivably harm or poison your target audience.

Allow for Variety - Consider ordering different kinds of food and beverage merchandise so your customers and clients will have more options. Just make sure that the products you choose are the ones that have the most likelihood to be consumed by all classes of people.

Thursday, November 25, 2010

Food and Beverage Gadget Essentials - Disposable Glass Cylinder



Soda siphons, cream whippers, and disposable gas cylinders like CO2 cartridges and nitrous oxide cartridges are basic necessities for those in the food and beverage business. These kitchen and bar essentials would be your key to creating mouthwatering desserts not to mention exotic mixed drinks and other favorites. Starting your own business is quite challenging because you would have to be creative and imaginative in what you will serve in order to capture the interest and ensure the loyalty of your customers. You would have to come up with something more special and more delicious than what your business competitors are serving to entice their loyal patrons to your place.

You would need to stock your kitchen and bar with the right liquor, beer, wine, and mixers like fruit juice, club soda, tonic water, etc. You should not forget the garnishes like olives, maraschino cherries, and lemons. As for your club soda or soda water, you need not buy it from the store. In fact, it would even be better if you would not use store bought water sodas, as it could go flat if not used right away. It would be better to make your own soda water with your soda siphons and disposable CO2 cartridges. You would be pleasantly surprised at the taste, crispness, clarity, and effervescence of your carbonated beverages. It would make your special creations or mixed drink favorites better than the usual.

It is important to note that when you are looking for soda siphons and disposable gas cylinders like CO2 cartridges, you should make sure that what you are getting are of the highest quality and has met the strictest of standards to ensure quality of your drink. It should be able retain the freshness and effervescence of your soda water in the refrigerator until you are ready to use it. There are different brands and kinds of soda siphons or seltzer bottles from aluminum to stainless steel, which would mean that the prize would differ too. These would be a nice investment since you are going to be using it a lot. You would be better off buying something that is durable and of superior quality.

When it comes to creating "foamed" desserts, creamy soups, sauces, purees, and appetizers, you would need a cream whipper and its accessories as well as nitrous oxide cartridges. You could also make your own whipped cream that would be ideal toppings for your desserts, ice cream, coffee, and mixed drinks. It would be best if you can get a multifunctional whipper that comes in a thermally insulated bottle that would be ideal for preparing hot and cold foams, creamy soups, sauces, etc. It should be able to keep your mixture cold or warm for long hours.

The cream whipper accessories like the decorator tips and injector needles would be great for making delectable looking concoctions and desserts as well as for making tortellini, cream puff, and the like. Freshly made whipped cream makes a big difference to the taste and quality of your wonderful creations and concoctions. High grade cream whippers and nitrous oxide cartridges would ensure quality for every serving or for every use.

www.made-from-india.com gives you trade directory of Food & Beverage product , Indian Food & Beverage supplier & manufacturers, Food & Beverages exporters, Food & Beverage Traders, Food & Beverage Distributors, food manufacturers in India, Food & Beverage Factories, Food & Beverage Producers, wholesalers. Manufacturers and suppliers of bottles & cans of beverages. A large number of products like: alcohol, beverages, bread & biscuits, frozen food, saffron, snacks, spices & seasonings etc. are included under the category of Food & Beverages in the exclusive directory of www.made-from-india.com