A Food and Beverage Manager is responsible for overseeing the daily operations of restaurants, bars, hotels, or catering services. Their main duties include managing staff, ensuring excellent customer service, controlling budgets, planning menus, and maintaining health and safety standards. Food and Beverage Managers must have strong leadership and organisational skills, as they are responsible for ensuring that everything runs smoothly and efficiently. They often collaborate with chefs, event planners, and suppliers to deliver high-quality food and drink experiences for guests. This role is vital within the hospitality industry and can be both challenging and rewarding, with opportunities for advancement into senior management positions.
The average salary for a Food and Beverage Manager in the UK ranges from £25,000 to £40,000 per year, with experienced managers in high-end venues earning up to £50,000.
There are over 16,000 food and beverage management positions across the UK, according to the Office for National Statistics.
Food and Beverage Managers often work between 40 and 48 hours per week, including evenings, weekends, and public holidays.
Oversees the daily running of a restaurant, including staff management, customer service, and ensuring quality food and drink standards are met.
Manages the bar area within a hospitality venue, focuses on drink menus, stock control, and leading the bar team to deliver excellent service.
Plans and coordinates food service for events, meetings, or functions, ensuring smooth delivery and customer satisfaction.
Start with GCSEs, especially in English and Maths. Consider A Levels or equivalent qualifications in subjects like Business or Hospitality.
Having at least five GCSEs including English and Maths is essential. For those aiming for management roles, A Levels or BTEC diplomas in Hospitality, Business, or related fields can enhance your knowledge and improve your chances of further study or apprenticeships.
Study for a diploma, foundation degree, or bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management, Catering, or a related subject.
Many colleges and universities offer courses in Hospitality Management, Food and Beverage Service, or Hotel Management. These courses cover topics such as customer service, food hygiene, business management, and event planning, providing a solid foundation for your career.
Start working in roles such as waiter, bar staff, or kitchen assistant to gain hands-on experience.
Entry-level positions allow you to understand how food and beverage services operate. You’ll learn customer service, teamwork, and the basics of food hygiene. This experience is highly valued by employers and helps build your confidence in a fast-paced environment.
Apply for roles like supervisor or team leader to take on more responsibility and develop leadership skills.
Supervisory roles involve managing small teams, handling customer complaints, and ensuring service standards are met. This stage is crucial for developing the people management and problem-solving skills you’ll need as a manager.
Complete in-house management training or short courses focused on leadership, budgeting, and food safety.
Many employers offer management development programmes, or you could take accredited courses such as NVQ Level 3 in Hospitality Supervision and Leadership. These programmes enhance your knowledge of HR, finance, and compliance within the food and beverage sector.
Use your qualifications and experience to apply for management positions in hotels, restaurants, or catering companies.
Tailor your CV to highlight your leadership experience, relevant qualifications, and achievements in previous roles. Be prepared to demonstrate your knowledge of food safety, customer service excellence, staff management, and budgeting during interviews.
Explore relevant apprenticeships that can help you kickstart your career in Food and Beverage Manager. Apprenticeships offer hands-on experience and training while earning a wage.
A Food and Beverage Manager is most similar to a Restaurant manager because both roles involve overseeing the daily operations of food service establishments, managing staff, ensuring customer satisfaction, and maintaining food quality standards. The key focuses align closely, making their qualifications and responsibilities comparable.
You can get into this job through:
You could do a college course, which would teach you some of the skills you'll need in this job.
Courses include:
Entry requirements for these courses vary.
You could work towards this role by applying to do a Hospitality Supervisor Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship and continue with further training on the job.
You could also take a Hospitality Manager Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship, if you've got supervisory experience in restaurant work.
You'll usually need:
You could move up to a management position after working as part of the restaurant staff, for example head waiter or kitchen manager.
With experience and qualifications you could take on more management responsibilities.
You could apply for a place on a graduate training scheme. Many large restaurants and fast food chains run schemes that can lead to management jobs.
You'll usually need a university qualification to get a place. For example, a degree in hospitality management is useful but many employers will accept other subjects.
You can find out more about how to become a restaurant manager from Caterer.com.
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