{"id":1787,"date":"2023-01-12T17:32:05","date_gmt":"2023-01-12T16:32:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/joblookup.com\/explore\/?page_id=1787"},"modified":"2024-10-17T11:26:16","modified_gmt":"2024-10-17T10:26:16","slug":"catering-and-hospitality-career-guide","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/joblookup.com\/explore\/catering-and-hospitality-career-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"Catering and Hospitality Career Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"row\">\n<div class=\"col-md-9 my-auto\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Few sectors are as varied, challenging, and rewarding as the catering and hospitality sector. Many roles in this industry are renowned for being tough, with demanding hours &#8211; but the high returns in job satisfaction and career prospects are often worth the effort. As a result, this industry is well suited to those with that enjoy working with people, facing and overcoming challenges, and that thrive in high energy environments.<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"col-md-3 text-center my-auto\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid\" src=\"https:\/\/joblookup.com\/explore\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/banquet-table-with-snacks1.jpg\" alt=\"A table laid out at a restaurant with food and snacks.\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"h4 font-weight-bold\"><strong>Potential Roles in Catering and Hospitality<\/strong><\/h2>\n<hr \/>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">There are hundreds of potential jobs in the catering and hospitality sector, including everything from bar staff to catering contractors. We&#8217;ll take a look at three of the most popular and well-known roles, as these tend to have many transferrable skills between other positions in this sector.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Events Managers\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">both conceptualise and help execute events of varying scales. This could be anything from a business conference in a hotel, to a large scale company party, an awards ceremony, or anything in between. Many organisations tend to have their own in house events managers, and there are often roles available at hotel and leisure organisations, as well as cruise operators.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Hotel Managers\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">handle the day to day running of hotels both large and small. They are responsible for planning and executing the overall strategy of the hotel&#8217;s services, and are accountable for the financial management of the building. Especially large hotels can have multiple managers, which offers a greater degree of specialisation if you&#8217;re considering a long term career.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Chefs\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">are found in almost every part of this sector, thanks to the fact that food is almost always a crucial part of any hotel, leisure complex, cruise, or event. Arguably one of the most challenging roles in this sector at entry-level, it can also be one of the most rewarding &#8211; talented chefs can end up owning and operating their own restaurants, and have the potential to win international renown.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"h4 font-weight-bold\"><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Salary and Career Progression<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n<hr \/>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The Catering and Hospitality sector does arguably have some of the largest disparity in wages between entry-level and senior roles compared to some other industries. This can make it challenging when you first start. Below is a rough idea of what to expect if you pursue a career in the roles mentioned above, although do note these amounts can vary based on organisation etc.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>In the UK, <span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">junior and entry-level <\/span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Events Managers <\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">typically start at around \u00a318,000-\u00a320,000 per year. With medium-level experience, the annual salary ranges from \u00a322,000 to \u00a325,000. Top-level Events Managers can earn \u00a335,000 or more, potentially exceeding \u00a340k for highly experienced and talented individuals. In the US, the average salary for an Events Manager is approx $60,000 per year, with a range from $43k to $87k according to PayScale.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Hotel Managers\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">typically start their careers at the managerial assistant level. In the UK, this translates to a starting salary of approximately \u00a319,000 to \u00a320,000 annually. Depending on the size of the hotel and business, some entry-level positions may offer salaries as high as \u00a340,000 per year. However, it&#8217;s wise to have realistic initial expectations. As they gain experience and move into established or mid-senior level roles, Hotel Managers in the UK can expect to earn around \u00a330,000, though this varies based on various factors. At the top tier, managing prestigious hotels in major cities, salaries can soar to \u00a350,000 &#8211; \u00a3100,000 or even higher in exceptional cases. In the US, the scenario is somewhat different. The average salary for a Hotel Manager is around $50,000 per year. The range typically falls between $30,000 and $90,000, according to PayScale. Similar to the UK, the salary in the US depends on factors like the hotel&#8217;s location, its size, and the individual&#8217;s experience and position within the hotel.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Chefs\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">can expect to start on some of the lowest overall salaries in the sector (the flip side to this is that getting into this field is potentially easier, as we&#8217;ll see later). A <strong>Commis Chef<\/strong> in the UK can expect to start with a salary of around \u00a312,000 at the lower end, and \u00a315,000 to \u00a316,000 per year at the higher end. In the US, the starting salary for similar entry-level chef positions can vary, with salaries generally being influenced by location and the type of establishment. <\/span>Moving up to a <strong>Sous Chef<\/strong> or equivalent position, the earning potential in the UK increases to between \u00a320,000 and \u00a330,000. In the US, a Sous Chef can expect an average salary of around $44,000, according to VelvetJobs, with the range depending on factors like experience and location. <strong>Head Chefs<\/strong> in the UK typically earn a minimum of \u00a325,000, with the potential to earn \u00a350,000 or more depending on the venue and company. In the US, the average salary for a Head Chef is approximately $42,000, with the possibility of higher earnings in prestigious establishments or major cities, as per VelvetJobs.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"h4 font-weight-bold\"><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Qualifications, Education and Experience<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n<hr \/>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">There is no single set path to becoming an\u00a0<\/span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Events Manager<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">, especially where further education is concerned. It is perfectly feasible to get into this field without any formal qualifications, although degrees\/HNDs in the following subjects can certainly be helpful:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Event Management<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Event Planning<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Leisure and Tourism<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Marketing<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Business<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Catering Management<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Hotel Managers<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0can also generally work their way up with experience or as part of an apprenticeship scheme. Having some educational backup is always advantageous of course. The following HND or degree-level qualifications are certainly likely to be beneficial in your career as a Hotel Manager, for example:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Hotel or Hospitality Management<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Hospitality Business Management<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">International Hotel Management<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Chefs\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">also tend to start at lower-level positions in a kitchen before working their way up through experience, but there are benefits to having some qualifications before starting your career. The courses and qualifications below can be useful in terms of teaching basic professional skills and food handling techniques which can be of practical value in a professional space:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Degree in Culinary Arts<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Degree in Professional Cookery<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Certificate in Commercial Cookery<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"text-center\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid img-thumbnail\" src=\"https:\/\/joblookup.com\/explore\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/engineer-team-working.jpg\" alt=\"Sound engineers get ready to test the audio system at an event while the events manager checks the stage.\" \/><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"h4 font-weight-bold\"><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Skills<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n<hr \/>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"><strong>Events Managers<\/strong> will need the following skills to be successful:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Excellent communication and interpersonal skills<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Ability to be diplomatic and solve conflicts<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Negotiation\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Self-motivated<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Enthusiastic<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Budget allocation and management<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Target driven<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Adaptable and flexible<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Project management<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Marketing<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Sales<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Able to work under pressure<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Administration and IT literacy<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Hotel Managers<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0will benefit from the following skills:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">A friendly a welcoming attitude<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Customer service\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Leadership<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Decision making<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Excellent written and verbal communication\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Patience and the ability to listen<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Emotional intelligence<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Well presented<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Able to communicate in different languages<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Planning and organisation<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Able to stay calm under pressure<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Chefs\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">should make sure to hone these skills for a kitchen focused career:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Adaptability<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Able to work under pressure<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Attention to detail<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Ability to work as part of a team<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Self-motivation<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Communication\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Understanding of food safety, preparation, and hygiene<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Technical cooking skills<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Working knowledge of other languages (especially French)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 class=\"h4 font-weight-bold\"><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Working Hours<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n<hr \/>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Given the nature of the Catering and Hospitality industry, many roles have unsociable hours factored into their schedules at some point.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Events Managers<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0have perhaps the most predictable hours on average, normally being required to work standard office hours (such as 9-5) for the majority of the time. That said, the times before, during, and after events will usually require extra hours. Given the nature of events, this can mean working on weekends, evenings, or very early starts. Conversely, part-time roles in events management are also quite common, which can help to balance the need for unsociable working times.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Hotel Managers\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">will more often than not be working shift patterns, may of which will run over weekends, public holidays, and into the early hours. Shifts will vary depending on the location and size of the hotel, but you should generally expect to have constantly altering work patterns. From time to time hours may fall into the standard 9-5 pattern, but overall most Hotel Managers can work at least 12 hours a day up to six days a week.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Chefs\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">working hours can also be long and arduous, but rewarding. Split shifts can be common, as well as early starts to make sure ingredients are prepped and ready for service. Hours will generally revolve around service times &#8211; lunch and dinner in most restaurants &#8211; but this can vary depending on the venue (some hotels may offer 24-hour room service, for example, requiring kitchen staff to be present at all hours). Generally speaking, 40 hours a week is the minimum most chefs will work in a week, with many pushing 50 to 60.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"h4 font-weight-bold\"><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Notable Locations<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n<hr \/>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">One advantage regarding the Catering and Hospitality sector in the UK is that, unlike many others, opportunities are fairly equally split between the country and city locations. Some areas of note to consider if you&#8217;re looking for a career in catering or hospitality include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">London<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Manchester<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Birmingham<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Leeds<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The Cotswolds<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The Lake District<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Oxfordshire<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Cornwall<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Brighton<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The Channel Islands<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Edinburgh<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">There are many other locations, of course, thanks to the fact the UK has so many large country spas, estates, and manor houses dotted across the countryside.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>In the US, the Catering and Hospitality sector offers a wealth of opportunities, with a notable presence in both bustling city centers and scenic rural destinations, catering to a diverse array of culinary and lodging experiences. Some notable locations include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">New York<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Los Angeles<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Las Vegas<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">San Francisco<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Miami<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Orlando<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Chicago<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">New Orleans<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Nashville<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Austin<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"h4 font-weight-bold\"><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Notable Companies<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n<hr \/>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Some of the most prestigious and well-known companies to consider for aspiring chefs, event managers, and hotel managers alike. many of these can also offer international opportunities. It&#8217;s also worth noting that event managers and chefs can often find job opportunities outside this sector, especially in large corporations that have regular events:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Accor<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Intercontinental Hotel Group<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Whitbread<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Travelodge<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Hilton (and associated brands)<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Warner Leisure<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Hotel Du Vin<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Hyatt Hotels Corporation<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Carluccios Ltd\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Wyndham Hotels &amp; Resorts<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The Restaurant Group<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"h4 font-weight-bold\"><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Next Steps<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n<hr \/>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Now you know what you need for a career in the Catering and Hospitality sector, see what <a href=\"https:\/\/joblookup.com\/[[country]]\/jobs\/chef\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">catering and professional chef opportunities are currently listed on JobLookup<\/a>, as well as what <a href=\"https:\/\/joblookup.com\/[[country]]\/jobs\/events?radius=20\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">jobs and apprenticeships are currently available in events<\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">If you need help with the more general aspects of your job search, then make sure to <a href=\"https:\/\/joblookup.com\/signup\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">register with JobLookup<\/a> today to set up job email alerts, and read through our <a href=\"https:\/\/joblookup.com\/explore\/the-ultimate-jobseeker-guide\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Ultimate Jobseeker Guide for additional help with your jobsearch<\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Few sectors are as varied, challenging, and rewarding as the catering and hospitality sector. Many roles in this industry are renowned for being tough, with &#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":1791,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[16,25],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1787","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-careers","category-sectors"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/joblookup.com\/explore\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1787","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/joblookup.com\/explore\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/joblookup.com\/explore\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/joblookup.com\/explore\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/joblookup.com\/explore\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1787"}],"version-history":[{"count":18,"href":"https:\/\/joblookup.com\/explore\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1787\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4598,"href":"https:\/\/joblookup.com\/explore\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1787\/revisions\/4598"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/joblookup.com\/explore\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1791"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/joblookup.com\/explore\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1787"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/joblookup.com\/explore\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1787"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/joblookup.com\/explore\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1787"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}