Published March 19, 2012

Climbing the Food Service Career Ladder – From a Restaurant Owner’s Perspective

If you are interested in starting a food service career, you most likely must start at the bottom and work your way up the ladder. Here’s some advice about getting started in the food service industry and how to provide exceptional customer service once you have your foot in the door.

Become Certified in Your State

Obtaining a food handlers card to prove your ability to work in a food service job should be the first thing on your to-do list. The law in California states that those new to food service careers must obtain their food handlers card within 30 days of being employed.

Food Service Career

Fortunately, training takes only 2-3 hours to complete and you can either print your card immediately after passing the exam or have it mailed to you within less than a week.

On-the-Job Training

Once you have a food handlers card, you will still have to learn the ropes of your new food service job. You will need to learn how to speak with customers, become familiar with restaurant policies specific to your new job, learn the menu, and recognize how to use the computer system.

Customer Service

Once you know the ins and outs of working in a food service job, you need to learn customer service tactics. First and foremost, look professional. You represent the company you work for, and if you want to rise up the corporate ladder, you need to look the part. Always have a table prepared for the customer before it is presented. You want the guest to feel as if they are the first person of the night to sit at that table or booth. This goes hand in hand with a positive, caring disposition. Convey genuine interest by keeping a smile on your face at all times and paying close attention to anticipate your guests’ needs. This will make customers feel special and cared for. Finally, always have the daily specials in mind. It’s unprofessional to say you need to check with the kitchen and even worse to give the wrong response only to be corrected later.

Are you properly trained for a food service career in the state of California? At Premier Food Safety, we have more than 35 years of training experience, four languages to choose from, the lowest prices in the state and a satisfaction guarantee. For all the training and knowledge you need to become certified, register with Premier Food Safety today. Learn more about the qualifications to work in the restaurant business by finding us on Facebook and Twitter.