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Occupations in Food and Beverage Service
What they do?
Maîtres d'hôtel, hosts and hostesses take reservations, greet and escort patrons to tables, attend to complaints and requests, and accept payments. They also train, supervise, and co-ordinate food/beverage servers and other serving staff.
A. Bartenders prepare cocktails and other drinks for waiters and waitresses or serve drinks directly to patrons, and collect payments. They also maintain an inventory of bar supplies and may supervise other bartenders and bar staff.
B. Waiters and waitresses present menus, take patrons' orders, and serve food/beverages. They accept payments and may recommend wines and prepare and serve specialty foods at patrons' tables.
C. Wine stewards suggest, present, and serve wines in formal settings.
Where they find work?
1. Accommodation and food services - 91.0%
2. Arts entertainment and recreation - 4.0%
3. Retail trade - 1.0%
4. Health care and social assistance - 1.0%
5. Other services (except public administration) - 1.0%
What education do I need?
1. To work in these occupations you may need a high school diploma.
2. To be a maître d'hôtel, host or hostess, you usually need several weeks' on-the-job training.
3. To be a maître d'hôtel, you need experience as a formal or captain waiter or waitress, or other food service experience.
4. To be a bartender, you usually need a college or other bartending program, or courses in mixing drinks.
5. To be a waiter or waitress, you may need on-the-job training. Formal waiters and waitresses may require college or vocational school courses.
6. To be a wine steward, you may need courses in wine selection and service or experience as a formal or captain waiter or waitress.
High School Subject that will help:
1. Math
2. Family Studies (Home Economics)
3. Business English
What can you expect to make:
The average hourly wages for Occupations in Food and Beverage Service is $10.23/HR, which is below average for occupations in the sale and service sector and are below average for all intermediate occupations. These wages grew at an average rate from 2002 to 2004.
Average Wage
Expected Wage by Age
Unemployment:
7% of Occupations in Food and Beverage Service are unemployed. This rate is close to the average for intermediate occupations.
Unemployment
Trends in Unemployment
Current Job Outlook:
The job outlook for Occupations in Food and Beverage Service is considered Below Average because:
1. Employment grew at an average rate.
2. Hourly wages ($10.23) are below the average ($18.07), and the rate of wage growth is close to the average.
3. The unemployment rate (7%) is close to the 2004 average (7%).
Future Job Prospects:
Your job outlook will continue to be Below Average because:
1. The employment growth rate will likely be above average because tax cuts and low interest rates should encourage consumer spending.
2. Although the retirement rate will likely be below average, the number of retiring workers should contribute to job openings.
3. The number of job seekers will likely exceed the number of job openings.
Highest Concetration:
The highest concentrations are found in Alberta and Prince Edward Island while the lowest concentrations are in New Brunswick and Newfoundland.
Useful Experience:
1. Dealing with the public
2. Customer service
3. Retail work
Part Time Workers
Part time workers:
54% of Occupations in Food and Beverage Service are employed only on a part-time basis. There were 261,500 workers employed in these occupations in 2004, an increase of 19% since 1997.
Age Demographics
Age Demographics:
The relatively high percentage of younger workers suggests more entry-level positions and jobs that may serve as stepping stones in a career. The younger-than-average age (29) of worker will likely result in a below-average retirement rate to 2009.
