Ever thought for a moment about vendors selling eateries in theatres and concierge in 5 star hotels? Interestingly, both belong to the hospitality industry. The hospitality industry has a wide reach spanning health spas, hotels, museums, resorts, travel, tourism, cruise ships, amusement parks and casinos. It is one of the biggest industries in the world.

The competition in this industry is intense particularly for higher positions. As such, it makes sense to pursue higher education in this field. Several institutions offer programs catering to educational needs of this industry through diplomas, certifications, Associate’s, Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. Course content covers industry standards and practices, hospitality management, convention and meeting planning, destination services management; travel and tourism, recreation related industries, purchasing fundamentals, food and beverages. By attending hospitality management courses through an educational institution, future workers may gain the edge that will help them to succeed in this dynamic field. Even better, qualifications can be acquired through online mode in most cases. Moreover, working staff can work and study simultaneously.

The hospitality industry has a robust forecast in terms of growth. The U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics has indicated that employment in hotels and other accommodations is expected to increase by 17% in the coming decade. Salaries vary depending on the job role. For example, in 2004, lodging managers drew median annual incomes of $38,000 with the top end at $72,000.Additionallly, yearly performance bonuses and lucrative discounts add flavor to hospitality careers.

The International Culinary Schools at The Art Institutes is a preferred destination for culinary management degrees offering quality education. Following it closely are Le Cordon Bleu Schools North America and Le Cordon Bleu International with an established track record of long standing excellence in imparting education. The French Culinary Institute and The Culinary Institute of America continue setting high standards in imparting quality programs.

An individual who has a degree in food service management is qualified for a career in the same. The students are trained with the technical, interpersonal and critical-thinking skills that are in way prerequisites for immediate employment even for entry-level supervisory positions. Those students who have an extensive food service background have an added advantage of finding job posts as managers even though it might not have been much time after completing graduation. A course in food service management would include training in health-care facilities, commercial catering services, private practicing, researching et cetera. The course can help a student build a career as a supervisor or manager in food production and service areas, planning and implementing regular and therapeutic menus, purchasing supplies and maintaining inventory.

It is indeed surprising to know that food service managers hold about 465000 jobs (as per the census on 2000). They are acknowledged with a good salary which increases with increase in experience and certificates. After graduation, one can work in various places like educational institutions, hospitals, restaurants and other civic, social and fraternal organizations.

Many restaurants and food service management organizations carry rigorous training programs so as to prepare the individuals for management positions. They pledge to offer a blend of classroom education and on-the-job training programs, which in the long run helps the students to gain experience and receive instructions in all the aspects of operations of an institutional food service facility or a restaurant. There are a number of colleges that provide a degree course in food service management. Some of these colleges include International Culinary Schools at The Art Institutes, Le Cordon Bleu Schools North America, Le Cordon Bleu International, University of Phoenix and The French Culinary Institute.

Are you working in a restaurant and aim for a higher position? Do you see yourself working long-term in the restaurant industry – more so, do you want to run the show in the culinary business? Do you want to own and run a restaurant some day? If the answer to these questions is a yes, then a restaurant management degree program is just what you are looking for!

Restaurant managers are those people who run the show, behind the scenes, in all the restaurants. They are the ones who take care of all the nitty-gritty details that go into managing a restaurant efficiently. Restaurant managers manage the daily operations of a restaurant including supervising the kitchens, maintaining customer relations, coming up with a variety of menu options, managing the ordering of supplies and equipment and also the maintenance of the restaurant.

Most of the restaurant managers have worked their way up the ladder – starting out as waiters or waitresses. However, for the post of the restaurant manager, the preference is always given to those who have a degree in restaurant management.

There are several culinary programs that offer degrees in restaurant management. However, there are many factors to consider before you decide to join any of these different culinary programs to get your restaurant management degree.

To make sure that the culinary college you plan to enroll in fits in the category you are looking for, make sure that it is accredited by the American Culinary Federation. Then, you have to make sure that the college offers the degree that places emphasis on (or offers a major in) restaurant management. Once you are sure of that, you need to know the specifics like the class size and the faculty and their real-world experience. The facilities must be neat and clean – equipped with the latest tools. A student-run restaurant on the campus is a definite plus. Also, you need to know where you will serve your internship and whether the college will help you to find a job after you graduate.

You also need to make sure that your chosen culinary program in restaurant management offers specific knowledge in the different areas of expertise that a restaurant manager needs to have. Here is a list of different subjects that are usually covered by most restaurant management degree programs:

1. Hospitality and Food Services best practices
2. Maintenance of the Facility
3. Food and Beverage Management
4. Planning for Conventions and Banquets
5. Purchase Management
6. Cost Management and Accounting Practices
7. How to Serve Different kinds of Wine
8. Nutrition
9. Sanitation
10. Staff Management

Most schools offer a 2 year degree course in restaurant management, and some culinary schools run specialized certificate courses that focus on a specific area within restaurant management. Even after you graduate, you can also keep taking further short courses, so that you can remain up-to-date with the latest trends and practices in restaurant management.

Armed with a degree from a culinary program specializing in restaurant management, you are well on your way to charting your own success in the restaurant and hospitality industry.

Do you have people literally eating out of your hands? If making desserts, pastries and breads is your thing, then you are just perfect to become a Pastry Chef!

If you have a flair for baking up pastries and desserts, then you might want to consider becoming a Pastry Chef. In any restaurant, bistro, large hotel or bakery, the Pastry Chefs are responsible for handling the pastry kitchen.

Depending on the size of the eating establishment, a restaurant may have several chefs handling the different aspects and parts of the kitchen. As a Pastry Chef you will be responsible for the creation of desserts, pastries and such delectable goods. You will also be responsible for interacting with the other chefs while planning out different menus. Your job will also entail testing and evaluating new recipes.

In larger restaurants, Pastry Chefs are also involved with ordering for supplies, preparing and managing the budget of the Pastry Kitchen. In bigger eating establishments, you may also find a main Pastry Chef having several assistants.

As a Pastry Chef you can see yourself being employed with restaurants, bistros, large hotels, and bakeries.

Typically, Pastry Chefs have to be up early in the morning to start baking before the bakery section of the restaurant opens up for business. So you can see yourself waking up as early as 3 in the morning, and getting started! Breads, croissants, pastries, cakes, bagels, donuts, danishes, cookies – these are staples for many! So every morning, just before the ‘work day’ begins, you may see yourself dishing out bagels, donuts, croissants along with coffee to go for the morning breakfast session.

Afternoons may see much of the lunch business. And evenings start looking up with the desserts business – where you will spend your time with creating fresh desserts like cheesecakes, pies, cakes, caramels, fudges and candies – and even some desserts with exotic sounding names like flans, Blanc Manges, sherbets (or sorbets).

Many successful Pastry Chefs say that their work is the most rewarding aspect of their lives. Many have started out at smaller establishments, and moved on to working with larger hotels and restaurants. Some have even started their own specialty shops and bakeries.

So how do you go about becoming a Pastry Chef and cooking up these delectable goodies? Its really simple.

Join up for a Bachelor of Science degree course in Hotel Management, Restaurant Management or Culinary Management. There are also Masters Degree programs offered in Food Service Management. Some schools even offer Certificate Programs, Diploma Programs and Associate Degree Programs in these Culinary Arts. Many of these programs begin with teaching you the basics, and then you may choose a specialization that trains you to be a Pastry Chef.

Turn your delectable mouthwatering pastries and cakes into profit and fun!