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.

Entertainment management is a new discipline in management being offered at Master’s level. There are several programs at Associate and Graduate level alongside diplomas catering to this field. These are termed as Fine Arts like BFA and allied education. The purpose of this post-graduate management discipline is to equip aspiring students to transition smoothly into management careers within the entertainment industry.

Managing facilities like sports, theaters, museums, live music locations, art galleries, broadcast media companies and night clubs is a critical theme of entertainment management. The Master’s degree prepares students in gaining in-depth understanding of industry along with knowledge of business standards and practices. A sizable portion of the course work is through practical exposure to the industry by way of field work and lectures by industry leaders. The discipline requires high level of creativity, idea generation, effective communication, networking, marketing and problem-solving skills.

As per Bureau of Labor Statistics, growth is expected to be equal to national average until 2014. Hence, job prospects are bright especially for those with right qualifications and throw up opportunities as consultants, executives and other attractive positions in this field. The average starting salary in 2004 for individuals with an entertainment business management diploma was $60,059 as per BLS.Possessing a Master’s degree can only mean higher remuneration than that.

Entertainment Management programs are offered at several institutions including International Culinary Schools at The Art Institutes and Le Cordon Bleu Schools North America. The former offers host of programs across multiple locations whereas the latter provides current courses well suited to changing needs of students. Joining its peers are Le Cordon Bleu International and The French Culinary Institute offering world class instructors imparting incomparable training through practical exposure. Completing the list is The Culinary Institute of America that has set standards of excellence for the group.

The art of cooking is referred as culinary arts. Culinarians work in kitchens honing talents in culinary arts. Food becomes appealing and tasty if prepared well alongside effective decoration and presentation. Culinarians [aka chefs / cooks] transform raw materials into eye pleasing, aromatic and tasty preparations that tingle our taste buds. If you are inspired, creative and love flavors of food, then a culinary arts career may be for you. Culinary degrees are offered by several institutions like Associate and Bachelor degrees alongside Post-graduate degrees. These programs prepare culinary artists in fundamental cooking techniques and skills, cuisine, menu development, materials management, costing, budgeting, decision-making and problem-solving skills.

Career prospects are encouraging and demand exists for successful chefs. Post completion of formal programs, entry level jobs open up like line cooks, pantry cooks and assistant bakers. Industry outlook is favorable with forecasts that jobs for chefs may increase by 11% through 2016. However, competition is intense at the top is intense and formal programs provide an edge to students against others. Salary ranges vary based on type of culinary job, relevant education, experience, location and employer. Executive chefs earned median annual salaries of $57,982-$88,386 whereas line cooks’ salaries ranged between $19,957 – 26,118 [data as of June 2009].

Among institutions offering programs in culinary arts, International Culinary Schools at the Art Institute stands tall with country wide locations imparting learning. The USP of Le Cordon Bleu Schools North America is programs designed as per latest trends in industry. It is followed by Le Cordon Bleu International which maintains a global presence and excellent standards. Not far behind is The French Culinary Institute which is a chef school that imparts practical training. Completing the list is The Culinary Institute of America that sets standards of learning excellence for the industry as a whole.

There are many diverse career opportunities available today in Culinary. Catering is also one such career prospect that is gradually becoming popular among the youths. If you are planning to work as a caterer then there are few things that should be kept in mind before you leap into the culinary career pool.

A graduate degree with a proper education and training is a must. There are numerous cooking schools and professional culinary institutes are present that offer 2 to 4 year degree program in culinary arts. Although apart from the education and the training the student must have some experience and exceptional ability to execute and create food preparations.

Job Description

Any and every event requires some or the other sort of food preparations. Good food served is half job done because people socialize where food is served. A delicious meal served will publicize itself without much work. So when you are working as a caterer, it becomes your responsibility to provide the service with finesse while keeping the meal creative and scrumptious. The job can be strenuous if you have many people to serve, but this is where the efficiency of a successful caterer lies.

Catering Business

If you are planning to start your own catering business than you must realize that it is surely a tedious job and requires efficiency and a sense of responsibility towards your job. The kind of events you take on solely depends on your choice. For instance, catering industry supplies food services to social events, parties, wedding receptions, or even lunch-box drop offs. However, the main work of a caterer is to manage the staff, serving tables for buffet at conventions, weddings and banquets. The other general responsibilities constitute of lighting, setting and table decoration. Thus it is important for the caterer to not only keep the food scrumptious and healthy but also look into the ambience and decorations required for the event. The catering business rates are based on per person, which means every additional person adds on the total amount. In order to make a profit the budget should be set in the caterers mind.

Long working hours and less or no days offs on holidays are some of the additional necessities for the effective working of the trade.

There are many other things that you will need to think about before you start your own catering business. For example, you will need to figure out how to go about setting up your own professional kitchen that adheres to all the rules and regulations that have been set up for health and safety. You will also need to think about how to go about managing your finances and accounts, and also how you will go about marketing your services to the people. You will also have to spend time deciding on the kind of menu you will cater to (events or lunch box drop offs, for example) as each will require a different kind of set up. You will also have to prepare a variety of menus which will then be applicable for the kind of food preparations and services you are offering.
And you can learn how to do all of this professionally – gradually, over a period of time when you study for your degree in the culinary arts. This is because these courses are taught in such a way to make you independent and capable enough to handle such responsibilities.

Thus, a career as a caterer can be a rewarding and fulfilling enterprise for a business minded chef.