The Many Pathways into the Catering Industry and how to get there

Let’s dive into the many pathways into the catering industry and how to get there. There are many roles in the catering industry and several paths to begin or even advance your career in this sector. Our expert team at Cucumber are well aware of the skills required for such roles and is excellent at supporting people in their careers.

Some of the roles in catering

• Kitchen Assistant
• Bartender
• Waiting staff
• Cook
• Chef
• Patisserie chef
• Sous Chef
• Barista
• Butcher
• Catering managers

Catering Assistant Skills and Qualifications

• Preparations of various types of cookery.
• Application of food health and safety regulations.
• Ability to work as part of a team.
• Excellent customer service skills.
• Effective organisational skills.
• Manual dexterity and good hand-eye coordination to prepare food properly.

If a career as a cook or chef was your goal depending on the programme, future chefs should expect to spend one to four years completing a degree in culinary arts beginning with a course at your local college. No formal qualifications are required, you will need a basic understanding of Maths and English as required to build a portfolio of evidence.

If a restaurant manager is more your thing you will understand the inner workings of a restaurant having worked from the floor up, starting as waiting on staff and rising to higher ranks.

You’ll know how to inspire your workers with a vision of delicious food for all. You’ll know what makes customers want to visit your restaurant and come back repeatedly. But a thriving restaurant that’s on everyone’s lips isn’t just about great food and fantastic service. You’ll have a real business head on your shoulders, too. It is not uncommon for a restaurant manager to work over 40 hours a week, often including weekends and evenings.

Flexibility

Shift work and working on public holidays are also typical. When considering the pathways into the catering industry, it is important to remember that you must be willing to work until the job is completed, which may mean overtime.

Restaurant managers working in fine dining typically earn between £22,000 to £40,000 in casual dining restaurants, between £20,000 and £30,000 and in fast-food restaurants between £18,000 and £30,000.

Salaries for restaurant managers depend on your location, employer and the type of establishment you work for.

Restaurant Skills

• Awareness of hygiene, and health and safety regulations
• A flexible and hands-on approach to work
• Problem-solving ability
• Strong planning and organisational skills
• Ability to work independently and make decisions confidently
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Ability to cope under pressure in a fast-paced environment
• Good business awareness
• If you want to develop your skills in the industry, the type of training opportunities available usually depends on the size of the establishment you’d be working for and whether it’s an independent operation or part of a chain.

Larger restaurant chains typically offer structured training schemes, while independent restaurants are more likely to provide informal on-the-job training.

Key training areas include

• First aid
• Health and hygiene
• Management skills

Contact our team to find out more about the pathways into the catering industry and perhaps very soon you will be learning all of these skills in your new role.