Why is Food Served from the Left? And Other Things Food Service Managers Know

There are many different jobs in the culinary arts and restaurant management realm. If you’ve worked in a restaurant you may be able to move from one job to another without having a formal education, but more and more hiring managers are looking to hire those with a post-secondary education in the foodservice industry. Degrees and having an internship/externship provide the job prospect with practical experience as well as the education and knowledge to do a good job.

For those that are focused on becoming a food service manager, this is especially important as they learn operations and financial management, leadership skills and trends in the hospitality industry that may affect the product, customers, staff and service.

Learning Skills and Techniques

While less important in casual restaurants, working in a fine dining restaurant comes with its own set of serving rules. Many of these rules go back hundreds of years but still are in use today.

Proper Service:

• Serve from the left, remove from the right: This rule was primarily created to help servers who are right-handed so they can carry plated meals in their left hand and serve from the left using their right hand and not crossing their arm in front of the guest.
• Glasses are placed in order of use: Glasses are placed diagonally to the right with the wine glass for the first course in the front.
• The protein on the plate should always be closest to the guest. The vegetables and other foods should be in the upper portion of the plate.

Some people may know these common service techniques, but to others it may be foreign. For those getting a degree in food service management, they will learn all the techniques of American and French service to prepare them to work at a high-end restaurant and properly train their staff.

Is a Formal Education Important? What are the Advantages?

A formal education is very important for those that are striving for a management role in the hospitality industry. Graduates with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Food Service Management has many career options available to them, that those without may not have.

Some possible career paths include:

• Working in high-end resorts and hotels
• On- and Off-premise catering
• Corporate dining services
• Independent restaurants
• Hospitals and retirement facilities
• Schools and universities
• Sports and entertainment venues
• Opening your own restaurant

Getting a degree will give you the depth of knowledge you need to be able to effectively run a restaurant. You will be able to break down food costs, budget, schedule and run a profitable business. Your competitors who don’t have that formal education may not have the depth of knowledge needed to be successful.

Again, if you are just starting your career, hiring managers tend to look for those with a formal education to fill management positions.

Graduates will be able to:

• Set and maintain high standards throughout all operations.
• Make business decisions based on high standards and ethics.
• Lead their team by communications effectively.
• Develop rules, policies and procedures.
• Develop strategies to improve food service.
• Demonstrate a working knowledge of operational costs and budgets to be a financial success.
• Stay on top of culinary trends in the hospitality industry.
• Effectively order food to reduce waste.
• Continually learn and share those with your team.
• Become an effective leader able to make wise decisions affecting the business.

Your Path to Success as a Food Service Manager

According to the Department of Labor Statistics jobs as food service managers are expected to grow at around 9% until 2026 and those with “a degree in hospitality, restaurant, or food service management will have the best job opportunities… especially at upscale restaurants and hotels. Some food service companies, hotels, and restaurant chains recruit management trainees from college hospitality or food service management programs.”

Are you Ready to Work Towards Your Goals?

Are you interested in working in the restaurant industry? If you want to earn a Bachelor of Science Degree in Food Service Management, ECPI University offers this program at an accelerated pace. For more information, connect with a friendly admissions counselor 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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