Bachelor of catering & hotel management is an academic degree program created to empower candidates to work in the catering and hotel industry. Catering can be described as an activity or business of providing food service at a place different from home such as restaurants, hotels among other establishments. Professionals in this field can be referred to as caterers or catering managers among other titles.

Hotel management on the other hand encompasses all activities towards running a profitable hotel or restaurant business. Professionals in this field can be referred to as hotel managers or catering managers among other titles. Catering and hotel managers work with other people such as catering assistants and chefs to plan and organize the food and drink menus of an organization or business. These professionals make sure that the quality of the food under their watch is of a high standard.

The hotel sector is one of the fastest growing sectors of the Kenya’s economy. It requires an astute business mind, creative management and stunning interests to fully explore and appropriate its socio- economic prospects. The bachelor of catering and hotel management is a four-year program tailored towards the hotel and catering sector. Currently most hotel and catering courses are mainly offered by tertiary colleges at certificate and diploma levels. Bachelor of catering & hotel management degree programme will therefore provide advanced training opportunities to students who graduate from this program.

The Kenyan hotel industry is a dynamic sector that is growing fast and this programme targets candidates interested in a career in the hotel and hospitality industry. This programme is unique in that it covers all areas of hospitality crucial in the tourism industry, the fastest growing sector. Trainees can opt to specialize in either Hotel management or Catering. The course produces professionals with firm academic and practical orientation in the hotel industry.

Upon successful completion of the bachelor of catering and hotel management, graduates will have developed competence in general restaurant and hotel management as well as being able to plan, cost & prepare a large variety of dishes for their customers and clients.

Bachelor of catering & hotel management course units

The bachelor of catering and hotel management course units in Kenya varies from one university to the other based on the university senate curriculum design. However, regardless of the training institution you enroll in, the course units aim to impart the skills you need to work effectively in the catering and hotel industry. A snapshot of the course units include;

1. Introduction to catering and hotel management
2. Social issues in service industry
3. Foreign languages
4. Business communication in service industry
5. Food and beverage
6. Front office operations and management
7. Menu planning, costing and purchasing
8. Business mathematics
9. Computer applications in catering and hotels
10. Entrepreneurship in catering and hotel management
11. Consumer behavior
12. Human resource and personnel management
13. Hospitality law
14. And more

Bachelor of catering & hotel management requirements

The minimum grade required for bachelor of catering and hotel management is KCSE mean grade C+ (plus) and above). Applicants should also have good performance in the following cluster subjects;

1. Subject 1 ENG/KIS,
2. Subject 2 MAT A / MAT B,
3. Subject 3 any GROUP II or any GROUP III,
4. Subject 4 a GROUP II or a GROUP III or any GROUP IV or any GROUP V.

Becoming a catering or hotel manager

If you are passionate about food and the kitchen, you can turn your passion for food into a career that can take you to hotels, restaurants or the catering operation business; Pursuing the bachelor of catering and hotel management might be a good choice for you. You also need to develop the following skills you need to work in the catering and hotel field.

Business acumen: Catering and hotel managers must have a good business acumen especially those who run their own hotels and restaurants, this will enable them understand all aspects of the restaurant business; supplies, setting prices and managing workers to ensure that the restaurant is profitable.

Customer service: A good customer service is a very important skill in the catering and hotel industry. Catering and hotel managers must be courteous and attentive when dealing with patrons. Satisfying customers’ dining needs is critical for success and ensures customer loyalty.

Organization skills: Catering and hotel managers should also be well organized to track many different schedules, budgets, and people. Good interpersonal and leadership skills are very important as catering and hotel managers must establish good working relationships with workers to ensure a productive work environment.

Effective communication: Catering and hotel managers must be good communicators to ensure they give clear orders to staff and be able to explain information to employees and customers as well.

Physical strength: Good physical stamina in this field is necessary as professionals especially those working in small establishments or those who run their own business, often work long hours and sometimes spend most time on their feet serving customers.

Detail oriented: Catering managers should also be detail oriented to ensure there is quality food to serve to customers; take care of financial records and ensure health and food safety is maintained at all times.

Work environment

Catering and hotel managers work mostly in restaurants, hotels or other food service establishments.

Work, job and career opportunities

Graduates of bachelor of catering and hotel management course can find employment within; restaurants, Food and Beverage management, hotels, resorts, fast-food chains, cafeterias in (schools, hospitals, factories, or offices) among other food joints. Graduates can also opt to start their own food business and start their journey in entrepreneurship.

Is bachelor of catering and hotel management marketable in Kenya?

Provision of food services is a basic need, thus catering and hotel management is a marketable course. There is a growing demand for qualified chefs, caterers, hotel managers and other professionals with requisite skills for the catering and hotel management field. The wider industry includes; hotels, restaurants and other catering service providers.

As Kenya continues to become the destination of choice for tourists, coupled with a robust urban development, the catering and hotel management field requires well-trained professionals in food and beverage, thus, catering and hotel management is a marketable course. Besides, skills acquired in catering and hotel training can be applied in hotel business ventures.

Bachelor of catering and hotel management colleges

If you have the minimum grade required to study the bachelor of catering and hotel management, there are reputable colleges and universities you can consider. The following are some of the best colleges to study hotel management.

1. Chuka university
2. Tharaka university college
3. Cooperative university of Kenya
4. Technical university of Kenya (TUK)
5. United states international university (USIU)
6. Maseno university
7. Among others

You may explore these courses

The hotel and hospitality offers diverse programs for qualified applicants. You can widen your course options by exploring the following programs.

1. Bachelor of Technology in Hotel and Restaurant Management
2. Bachelor of Technology in Institutional Catering and Accommodation
3. Bachelor of Science in Food Service and Hospitality Management
4. Bachelor of Tourism Management
5. Bachelor of Science in Hospitality & Tourism Management
6. Bachelor of Travel and Tours Operations Management
7. Bachelor of Science in Food Operations Management

Final word

The bachelor of catering & hotel management is an appropriate program if you are interested in a career in the catering and hotel industry. The grade required for the course is KCSE mean grade C+ (plus and above). Applicants should also have good performance in the following cluster subjects; Subject 1 ENG/KIS, Subject 2 MAT A / MAT B, Subject 3 any GROUP II or any GROUP III, and Subject 4 a GROUP II or a GROUP III or any GROUP IV or any GROUP V. There are good colleges you can consider for the course.