Social media and the Internet have changed the way the hospitality industry works. It means that prospective customers do not necessarily follow word-of-mouth recommendations, but do their own research to find newer, better deals all the time. This has challenged the industry to constantly reinvent and be on top of the game in a bid to keep bottom lines happy.
Discerning guests are increasingly concerned with the standard of food and choices available to them. Excellent quality dishes and comprehensive menus are more likely to mean higher footfalls. This is possible only in luxury hotels, cruise lines and fine dining restaurants where investments are higher and they are better able to absorb losses from wastage that is sadly a reality in any food and beverage venture.
High-end hotels and restaurants present stable career opportunities, particularly early on, given their exacting standards and ability to train fresh recruits in the latest trends. Owing to big budgets, they are able to indulge in regular market research, change entire set-ups with the times and engage with guests better than say a mid-range restaurant chain.
For example, five-star hotel restaurants have moved from offering solely à la carte menus to entire all-day fine dining restaurants to cater to guests with varied meal habits and also to the travelling business community. Cruise companies have crafted menus specifically for children to make life better for rich, young families with specific tastes. High-end food and beverage outlets all across are now laying specific emphasis on dietary restrictions and requirements – from food philosophies like veganism to allergies like gluten intolerance – in a bid to be inclusive to all types of guests. These are all changes that require huge budgets possible only in successful companies.
Working in luxury hotels exposes staff to a type of hospitality service that is appreciated and desired by hotels around the world. Landing a first job in a reputed company can set the stage for a successful career ahead.
This begins from the last stage of formal education where choosing a good hospitality institute means ensuring a strong foundation in the field. Culinary institutes today provide on-the-job training as well as internships with reputed companies. Many are constantly updating their curricula to help students be as prepared as possible for the real world.
A graduation course in hospitality, hospitality management or culinary education offers a broad spectrum of skills for the student to understand the nature of the industry, its challenges and requirements.
The key to growth in the hospitality industry is focusing on guests. Luxury ventures cater to people who have discerning tastes and excellent service will be noticed. Either the hotel will receive a good review, or the staff concerned will get a mention in feedback. This bodes well during appraisals and performance reviews.
From the side of the employee, asking for feedback, taking suggestions positively and often loyalty to the company also ensures a better growth trajectory.
The other important aspect to focus on is to remain constantly updated with changing trends in the industry and work to stay alongside. This means reading articles or attending seminars when possible and also updating skills.
Many culinary institutes offer specialised courses for particular jobs such as programmes for sommeliers, butlers, cruise chefs, chocolatiers, baristas and even ice and vegetable carvers. These build on basic hospitality education and fine tune skills in that particular line. Pinpointing the specialisation that appeals to one’s talent can ensure growth quickly.
International hospitality trends will keep changing as guests expect better, more innovative service. Thinking out of the box is the only way to the top, and the starting point is a strong foundation in the basics from a good institute.
