Training for Food and Beverage Jobs

Get the skills training you need to succeed in the food and beverage industry
By Michele Vrouvas Training for food and beverage positions in today's industry usually requires more than just the on-the-job training professionals years ago could get away with. Not only are aspiring food and beverage industry workers enrolling in trade school programs but many are also considering associate's and bachelor's degrees in specialized fields like hospitality management and restaurant supervision.

Today's food and beverage companies have come to expect this kind of professional training from their potential hires. The job market remains competitive in the food industry and the best candidates are striving to show that they have completed both classroom and hands-on practical learning at accredited institutions. Whether your aim is to become a chef-owner of a restaurant or a food and beverage manager at a hotel, consider the many options available for developing the required skills:

1. Fulfill requirements for a degree in food beverage management at an accredited school.

2. Pursue training in the hospitality management sector of the food industry business.

3. Complete an internship and find out exactly what to expect in the foods and beverage industry.

Select a school that offers a food and beverage management degree

You can find food and beverage management degree programs at trade schools and four year institutions. These programs usually provide theory and practice training in a wide range of subjects, from how to select wines to some key concepts in restaurant law.
Try:  Lincoln Educational Services has provided technical training in many industries since 1946. Its food and beverage management training program combines classroom learning with hands-on practice in professional kitchens and food labs. Check out the course listings for the food and beverage management degree on the Johnson & Wales University website. This university is widely regarded as a leader in career-specific education in the United States.

Find out how a degree in hospitality management can open up opportunities in the food industry

You can choose between 2- and 4-year programs and whether or not you prefer an in-classroom setting or want to pursue a distance learning degree online.
Try:  The New England Culinary Institute offers both associate's and bachelor's degrees in hospitality management. eCornell is a subsidiary of Ithaca, New York's prestigious Cornell University. eCornell offers distance learning programs for those seeking degrees in hospitality management.

Pursue hands on training with internships in the food and beverage industry

Internships offer the unique opportunity to get on the job training while building relationships with professionals in the field.
Try:  Internships 4 America offers training through internship programs for those pursuing degrees in the restaurant and hospitality management industries. Contact Hyatt Hotels & Resorts to find out more about their hospitality internships for students. Also, schools like Kansas State University offer internships to students in the food and beverage management programs who are looking for hands on industry experience.

• Enter a food and beverage management degree program with an open mind, taking courses in areas that at first don't appeal to you. This broad outlook is perhaps the best way to find your niche in this highly specialized field.