I want to be a manager for a fancy restaurant?

Question

What degree should i go about obtaining if i want to know all there is to know to be a successful reastaurant manager?

Answer 1

A business degree (with a minor in accounting) will help, that's if you want to purely run the restaurant. If you like to cook, then taking a culinary course (which teaches how to run your own store, but not like a MBA would).

Best way to learn is actually from experience. Working from a dishwasher (to learn what's needed in the back end as well as the front end), to a waiter. That way you'll know all the angles, and also learn the people skills so needed to interact with patrons.

Depending on what meals are served (e.g., French, Italian or Japanese), it'll also be very important to fluently speak a foreign language -- as you will be ordering wares from foreign suppliers.

Learn all you can about alcohol, as it's the prime money maker for restuarants. Not just mixed drinks from clubs, but all about fine wines (and which wine is best for want entree, and for what season). You'll will be keeping all this in stock, along with quality food (you will learn what distribution channels are available in the market, and the shipping rates).

Also, learn etiquette, both in manner and dress. You'll be projecting an image to the community, and "fancy" is 100% business and more formal attire (if it's a $100+ plate venue). For example, in Savannah they have a formal dining room  (only tuxedos and gowns) in a *BBQ establishment* for the blue bloods.

Being a manager for such establishments will mean you must learn everything. And the best way to learn everything is actually working in each role -- experience can't be learned via a book or be awarded by a degree. Why the best managers and sales people are self-starters.