Anyone Work In Food Service Before?

Question

I don't mean like working at a fast food place (like wendys), but like in a chain restaurant..or maybe a some place like Whole Foods Market? Is anyone a restaurant or a food store manager? How do you like it? I hear that it's really hard..For those of you who work in food service as a career, what do you want to do when it becomes "too physically damanding?" I just want to know, becuase I really want to go into food service..I don't know if I want to actually MAKE the food..but I love how it's fast pace and and I like working with people. Has anyone every branched out and opened their own food business?

Do you think it's a loser-ish career?...Have any tips or recommendations? Thank you! (Sorry about the rambelling!)

Answer 1

I've worked in this industry a long time.  If you don't like what you do, switch jobs.  I enjoy my job.

I've worked in fast food, gone through Culinary Arts, worked in hotels, casinos, and restaurants, and now currently work in Healthcare, I love it.

Edit:  Amen to the comfortable shoes.

Answer 2

its ok, a little tiring sometimes

Answer 3

I have nevr been a manager but i have worked at dennys. And being a manager you would have to make food if one of your cooks didnt show up, I think its a good job choice as long as your happy thats all that matters

Answer 4

working in the food service industry opens your eyes to things about food and diet. you see how things are really done and get to know the nutrition of these foods.

when things get too demanding what i do is i live up to it. i raise my level. i workout to the max and i reward myself by pampering myself. i treat myself from time to time.

no matter what career you take as long as you love that career then you'll be fine.

no career is a loser. it's the people who take them.

don't take it if you have doubts because this is a job you will be doing for the rest of your life.

Answer 5

I've done catering and owned a restaurant.  I love the fast pace and talking to people.  But the hardest part?  The paperwork and managing employees.  I had the love of a restaurant, but not enough time to deal with everything else.  I don't think it's a loser career.  I went to college and was proud of my place.  It's ignorant people who say "Go to college and get a real job."  It can be very very profitable to be a server, bartender, or cook.

Answer 6

hi

Answer 7

When I started waitressing (a million years ago) I decided I wanted to be in the 'upper echelon' of restaurants - So I applied at places I couldn't afford to eat!!

The education over the following years in; gourmet food, wine, spirits(liquor) and etiquette opened my eyes as well as 'doors of oppurtunity'.

I have since; taught bartending classes, managed a bar at a private club, taught alcohol awareness classes, managed a kitchen staff and wrote a seminar on the 'service of service'.

Food industry is a 'high turn-over' business because when you get hired somewhere and learn what they have to teach - it's hard not to get bored after time...as well as 'burn-out'...dealing with the public takes it's toll and not everyone can balance the 'hecklers' with a 'normal' life.

I would suggest putting out some applications and get your feet wet - the entry level jobs suck....but you have to 'do your time in the trenches' before you can move up.

And no matter where you work in this industry - wear comfortable shoes!!!

Answer 8

I have worked in food service for 3 years.  Manager for 1 year.  Other managers I work with that are older (about 50 years old), tell me to get out of the business ASAP.  It is low pay and a ton of work.  I like it now, but I feel it will become too physically demanding. Also the money is good now as a college student living at home, but when I move out it won't be enough.  I am getting my degree in human resources.  I can still work in a fast paced and changing environment working with people, but not have to work in a restaurant.

A lot of people consider it a loser career, but I don't think so. It is hard work.  It is low paying, and that is the problem.

Answer 9

I worked in a snack bar type of place at a bowling alley once. It is a job that a lot of young people should work while they are in college or whatnot and not something you should try pursuing as a career. It's a dead end industry. Some days the place was so busy they were selling thousands of dollars of food each hour, and I still get paid only $7.65 an hour. It was lucrative, annoying, and making burgers, fries, quesadillas, wings, pretzels, and other things gets very boring. It's easy as all h**l, but if you are at all ambitious you really need a job that is not the same every day.

On the contrary, a lot of cooking jobs can pay very well and be quite fun. As a cook you anre in control, and it's not as lame. Restaurant jobs are much better because you get tips too.

Answer 10

I worked for Morrison's Cafeteria the first 5 years after high school.  It wasn't hard work, the pay and benefits were decent, but there was so much food around I gained a bunch of weight!  Thankfully I lost most of it after I quit.

Answer 11

I say do what makes you happy.  If you are interested in food, do food.  Just realize certain jobs probably won't pay much and with the cost of living going up and up that is something to definitely consider.  Would you be interested in being like a dietician?

Answer 12

I know what you mean about how fast paced and all.. it makes the time go that's for sure. I wouldn't do it again for a living though, cuz it is physically demanding after time.. You could look into franchises to get more info.. like McDonalds, Quiznos, cousins.. there's alot! Good luck!