Course Overview.
Institutional catering comprises various services incorporating; company canteens, hospital canteens, police canteens, schools and institutional lunch rooms serving large numbers of people. Professionals in this field can be referred to as catering managers among other titles. Catering managers are responsible for the daily operation of restaurants and other establishments that prepare and serve food, drinks and other beverages. In their day to day work activities, these professionals direct staff to ensure that customers are satisfied with their dining experience and the business they manage is profitable and sustainable. Besides ensuring that the quality of the food prepared and served is of a high standard, these professionals are also responsible for meeting financial targets within the organizations they work for.
In the recent years, the catering industry sector has been revitalised by the building of brand new universities and polytechnics with modern purpose- built catering and accommodation facilities. In addition, the development in hospital service and the development of large comprehensive schools have also led to development and innovation in the provision of school meals and accommodation. All this development within the food service industry creates the need for well trained personnel with skills and knowledge of the food service dynamics. The Bachelor of Technology in Institutional Catering and Accommodation Management is a four year course that has been designed to offer training and education in catering and institutional management and to equip the students with adequate skills and knowledge that will enable them play leading roles in the catering Industry. Upon successful completion of the programme, graduates will have the skills that are required to oversee the everyday operations and management of these types of establishments.
Entry Qualifications.
For self sponsored students, at least a mean grade of C+ in KCSE. For Government sponsored students, the minimum cut point which is announced annually applies. The students should in addition 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, Subject 4 a GROUP II or a GROUP III or any GROUP IV or any GROUP V.
Becoming a catering manager
If you are passionate about food and want to turn your passion into a career, then studying this course might be a good match for you. In addition you should be prepared to develop skills that can help you grow and succeed in this profession.
Catering managers especially those running their own restaurants must understand all aspects of the restaurant business; they should know how to budget for supplies, set prices and manage workers to ensure that the restaurant is profitable. These professionals must also have good customer service skills and be courteous and attentive when dealing with patrons as satisfying customers’ dining needs is critical for success and ensures customer loyalty. Catering managers meet with many different types people including suppliers, workers and customers; they make sure there is enough food to serve to customers; they take care of financial records; and they ensure health and food safety, this requires good people’s skills.
By the virtue of their positions, catering managers are leaders and must have excellent leadership skills to establish good working relationships and ensure a productive work environment; this may involve motivating workers, resolving conflicts or actively listening to complaints or criticism from customers. Professionals in this field also need to be in good physical stamina especially managers working in small establishments or those who run their own businesses, as they often work long hours and sometimes spend entire evenings on their feet helping to serve customers. The ability to resolve personnel issues and customer-related problems are imperative to the work of managers in this field, having good problem solving skills is therefore quite important.
Work environment.
Catering managers work in hotels, school cafeterias, restaurants, hospitals and other establishments where food is prepared and served.
Career opportunities
Graduates of this course can find employment within catering and food service industry. They can work in areas such as; management of hotels, hospitals, hostels, uniformed services mess, residential institutions, cleaning companies, laundry and dry cleaning firms, learning institutions, fast food restaurant chains, institutional dining halls, Food and Beverage management, Resort management, Catering management, among other areas. Graduates can also start their own businesses in the catering industry.
You may explore these courses
Bachelor of Catering & Hotel Management
Bachelor of Technology in Hotel and Restaurant Management
Bachelor of Science in Food Service and Hospitality Management
Bachelor of Science in Food Operations Management
Bachelor of Science in Hospitality & Tourism Management
Bachelor of Tourism Management
Bachelor of Travel and Tours Operations Management