Restaurants

I was talking to a friend the other day who was recently promoted to Assistant Manager of an Italian restaurant. Watching him work I realised working in a restaurant is certainly not as easy it looks! My friend (who works long hours as it is) only has one day off a week! So, if you're looking into working in a restaurant be prepared to work weekends and public holidays because you'll likely have to work these days too!

Inbetween serving me, a dozen other customers, pouring pints and setting tables my friend

gave me a run down of the staff structure which I believe goes something like this:

The Boss 'The Top of the Food Chain' or Restaurant Manager oversees the running of the restaurant i.e. hiring/firing staff, organising shifts and working with the Chef/Cooks to plan the menu.
My Friend 'The Second in Command' or Assistant Manager does exactly the same as the Boss when he/she is on holiday or enjoying their luxury day off!
The Chef/Cooks plan menus, prepare food and organise other members of the kitchen staff such as...
The Kitchen Assistants who keep the kitchen squeaky clean and do some basic food prep such as making tea/peeling tatties and last, but certainly not least...
The Bartenders/Waiters and Waitresses serve drinks, take orders and deliver food to tables.

The kitchen can become hectic and hot, so if you can't stand the heat don't go near the kitchen. However, if you're interested in becoming a Restaurant Manager you'll need to have experience working in a restaurant, although, some Restaurant Managers have no experience, but possess a Management degree. Check out http://www.ayrcoll.ac.uk/index.php?module=Pagesetter&func=viewpub&tid=4&pid=257 for this fast track HNC in Hospitality Management.

If you're interested in bartending, I recently became aware of the UK-based bartending school - Shaker: http://www.shaker-uk.com/bar-school.cfm?gclid=CMzZu9zwmqICFUcA4wod82WOwg, where you can sign up for anything from a cocktail masterclass to Molecular Mixology. I know, sounds all very scientific! Who knew there was more to a cocktail than a blend of alcohol and fruit juice?

When I got round to asking my friend what was so great about being an Assistant Manager he jokingly replied, "Delegating!", but I later found out it's really because he loves dealing with people, being kept on his feet and having a good staff (which includes some of his best friends). It's unfortunate that making money in a restaurant is easier on public holidays and weekends, but from what I've seen and heard, working in restaurant is actually quite the fun place to be.

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