Making the Most of Food Service Jobs

Think outside the box when you think of a job in the restaurant industry

When most people think of food service jobs, they probably think about servers, chefs, and perhaps hosts and bus boys. However, there are many other types of food service jobs you can look for in the food industry, in many different areas from distribution to hospitality management.

If you think of different types of food service careers, you'll find more places to look for a job in the restaurant industry, but you'll add mileage to your job search, as well. When looking for alternatives in foodservice jobs, think outside the box, like:

1. National parks and other tourist locations with food and beverage service.

2. Airline food service preparation and menu development.

3. Foodservice jobs in hospitals, penitentiaries, and other social service organizations.

 

Search for jobs at resorts, lodges, and tourist destinations like ski resorts

A lot of people don't think about working in food service in a nearby park or resort, but many hire dozens of food service jobs every season. Many offer room and board, too, so you live and work in one of the most beautiful places on Earth!
Try: Websites like Park & Resort Jobs offer lists of ski resorts, park lodges and restaurants and other tourist resorts looking for seasonal and full-time foodservice workers. Xanterra Parks & Resorts operates lodges and restaurants in numerous national and state parks around the country, and they are continually hiring for food service jobs.

Take flight with food service employment in the airline industry

Many airlines are cutting back on food service on short flights, but longer flights and overseas flights still offer food service, and someone has to create those meals for the airlines. A food service job in the airline industry could include preparing meals for on-board airline food service, as well as designing new menus for airlines the company serves.
Try: LSG Sky Chefs is one of the largest airline catering companies worldwide, and they offer locations throughout America for food service employment. Click on the interactive map to find a location in your area. Gate Gourmet is another worldwide airline caterer with many foodservice job opportunities in the U.S. and abroad.

Seek out food service jobs in social service areas like hospitals and penitentiaries

Hospitals, nursing homes, assisted-living facilities, penitentiaries and military hospitals all offer food service for their patients and inmates, and they hire many civilians to work in these facilities. These are good places to train for a career in the food service industry too, if you don't have any experience.
Try: The US Army lists opportunities in their Army hospitals for many different food service careers and jobs. Jobster offers thousands of hospital food service jobs across the country.

 

• Clearly, making the most of food service jobs means less about waitress employment and bus boy employment, and more about creatively seeking out other restaurants and food service employment. From food booths at craft fairs and state fairs to cruise ships, remote tourist destinations, and even railroad dinner trains, there are food service job opportunities wherever you look, if you just take the time to be creative and a little daring with your food service job search.

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