Food Service Management Certification: Will it be Important for Me?

The culinary arts industry is massive and only shows signs of growth. Many people cite their first job as working for a fast food restaurant. But there are many more diverse jobs in the industry than just handling drive-through orders. Within the culinary arts field, there are a wide array of jobs available for those have a creative flair, can juggle a variety of tasks and enjoy working in a lively environment. One of them is the position of Food Service Manager.

What is a Food Service Management Certification?

Food Service Management (FSM) education a popular certification for those drawn to the culinary field as it could open the door to many different jobs in the overall the culinary arts industry. The courses cover a lot of different information including classes in sanitation, food planning and prep, cost and inventory as well as food service operations, merchandising and marketing.

After achieving their degree, Food Service Managers should be able to oversee the daily operations of restaurants and other establishments like hotels, school cafeterias, and other places that serve food. A certification is milestone in a lot of FSM's careers.

Is FSM Certification Important?

Obtaining your FSM education is important for you, as it is important for hiring managers. Many restaurants focus on hiring managers with FSM degrees and certifications over candidates that don’t have these credentials or post-secondary degrees. This is very important for those just starting out in the industry as they are often considered more advanced than other new hires as they already have a deep knowledge of how to run a restaurant.

Most high-end restaurants prefer to hire managers who have secondary culinary degrees or FSM degrees from an accredited school as the employee will generally understand how the restaurant operates and how to make it profitable. Graduates should also learn:

• How to run a restaurant from a financial standpoint by taking classes in Accounting, Financial Management, Budgeting, Revenue Management, Forecasting and Cost Controls, Facility Design and Management.
• How to be a good leader with strong management skills through courses in ethics, motivating diverse workforces, strategic planning and other managerial and leadership classes.
• How to efficiently operate the restaurant, which combines successful food service operations, POS systems and other financial and accounting systems.

Other skills obtained include developing a strong beverage program, marketing, project management, restaurant simulation classes and keeping customers engaged.

Benefits of Having Food Service Management Certification

Having an FSM degree can open many doors for those just starting their restaurant careers. Upon graduation, they should have the knowledge and skills to perform the following tasks:

• Set and maintain standards of professional conduct across the entire food service operation
• Create operational efficiencies to reduce staff time
• Effectively oversee the internal code of ethics as it relates to business and operational decision making
• Professionally communicate with groups, customers and internal teams
• Develop a cost savings strategy to reduce waste and improve food service performance
• Develop internal cost controls to increase profit margins

Understand local and national culinary and hospitality trends and how they may affect all areas of purchasing, product knowledge and customer demand.

The Culinary Arts Job Market

According to the U. S. Department of Labor Statistics employment for food service managers is expected to grow by about 9%. Due in part because “the popular and income growth is anticipated to increase demand at restaurants with people dining out, purchasing take-out meals or having food delivered.” With the more dining establishments opening, the need for food service managers to oversee preparation and service increases.

Ready to Earn Your Food Service Management Degree?

If you want to work in the culinary arts industry, but don't really want to be the person behind the hot stove cooking, food service management could be right for you. If you want to earn a Bachelor of Science in Food Service Management, consider ECPI University's Culinary Institute of Virginia. With accelerated classes and a year-round schedule, you could find yourself finishing your degree faster than a traditional program. For more  information about this exciting opportunity, connect with a friendly admissions advisor today.

It could be the Best Decision You Ever Make!

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Gainful Employment Information – Food Service Management - Bachelor’s

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