How can you gain valuable experience in Food & Beverage Operations?

Gaining valuable experience in Food & Beverage Operations requires stepping out of your comfort zone and getting hands-on. Whether you start from the bottom of a company or work as a barista, understanding customer preferences is crucial. Connect with professionals by picking up the phone and initiating conversations, rather than just relying on your CV.

The best way to experience F&B is to work in it. Experience every facet - learn the flow of service, the rhythm of the kitchen, the business of customer flow. You will be a much better-rounded professional with a wider and more varied experience in the industry.

I would to like to talk about an approach contrary to traditional knowledge which might be more suitable for some. This approach focuses on learning each facet of F&B industry in parts. Working in a FMCG industry had made me understood some unique aspects, culmination of which makes F&B industry interestingly unique. - Intensive channel dynamics: F&B consumption takes place almost everywhere and often intensive. Thus, channel stakeholders and consumer touch points play a crucial role. - Perishability: Finished good constraint (expiry date) makes material handling and dispatch planning very important factors. - Laws and Statutes: This information being mainly theoretical, can be gathered from state and company (in the industry) websites.

Hands-on experience in server, host, bartender, or kitchen roles allows you to learn the fundamentals of customer service, teamwork, and operations flow from the ground up. Make the most of these roles by asking questions and cross-training. Back when I was in high school, I started looking for part-time roles at bars, restaurants, and catering companies to gain experience. The best way is to dive in and learn by being at the front of house. Nowadays you can also look at YouTube videos and online materials to learn more about the industry. Networking at industry events is also great way to connect with experienced professionals, gain knowledge, and find mentors. I try to volunteer at industry events when I can.

find a program that gives you hands-on experience in the F&B industry and teaches you essential skills for effectively managing kitchen and service teams. Hospitality internships are another way to get practical experience. Look for hospitality internship opportunities at the kind of places you'd like to work.

I agree seeking a mentor would be very helpful. It’s all about how much are you willing to invest in yourself and your future? You can also start going around as bartender at parties, communicate with the customers what they like and don’t like, listen and learn from the experience. Or as a barista or catering employee. Getting that experience in is so important!

Understand that the different segments have their own positives and negatives; It is important to discover what you value while in the different areas. Not a fan of late nights? Then working in nightclub F&B may not be ideal.

Now with the internet there is a depth and wealth of knowledge at your fingertips for you to continuously learn and develop your knowledge and understanding, if you look for it. There are hundreds of courses online you can take or workshops to attend covering all aspects of f&b, wether food safety, customer service, marketing, management. You can learn from industry experts with podcasts, tedtalks, online conferences and networking events. You can also read industry publications and blogs to stay up-to-date with the latest trends and best practices and this is just what is online before looking into the physical things that you can do as well