Tag Archives: Restaurant

Food Poisoning in Restaurants

When food products are not handled very carefully, people who eat them can become seriously ill. Bacteria, toxins, viruses, and parasites can all be transmitted through edible products. For this reason, anyone who handles food professionally – including all restaurant employees – needs to be educated about safety and act carefully.

Worker Negligence

There are many types of errors that can pose a threat to restaurant patrons. Some of the more common include:

  • Failure to store food properly (in secured containers, at the appropriate temperature, and separated from any toxic products such as industrial cleaners)
  • Failure to prepare and serve food with properly cleaned utensils in a hygienic environment
  • Failure to maintain proper hygiene while at work, such as washing hands regularly
  • Serving under-cooked meat or eggs
  • Using contaminated or expired ingredients
  • Failure to use proper protocol when preparing foods, especially meat
  • Failure to regularly inspect the kitchen and utensils for potential problems

Any of these errors can contribute to the spread of diseases such as E. coli, salmonella, botulism, and parasites. These diseases can be incredibly painful and even life-threatening.

Negligence and the Law

Like all businesses, restaurants have a responsibility to protect the safety of their customers. Whenever people dine out, they should be able to take it for granted that the food they eat is hygienically prepared and free of toxins. When businesses fail to meet this expectation, they can sometimes be held legally and financially responsible for any injuries that result.

People who have been injured by negligent food workers are sometimes eligible to receive compensation for their medical expenses, missed work, pain and suffering, and other losses.

Taking Restaurant Management Courses Through Top Culinary Schools

Even though restaurant managers tend to work long hours, they also tend to make good money. In fact, in 2009, the average manager made more than $47,000 a year. To enter into this line of work, a person will need experience in the culinary industry, and depending on the employer, he or she may need to complete restaurant management courses.

To make sure that a person obtains the best formal education possible, it is important to take courses through top culinary schools. In the U.S., there are many top restaurant management schools, making it simple for a person to find a program that will meet his or her needs and preferences.

Types of Programs

When attending top schools, a student will have the option to obtain either an associate’s degree or a bachelor’s degree. Either type of degree will lead to a wide variety of job opportunities; however, a bachelor’s degree will, of course, open more doors. During the completion of a degree, students will take courses in English, psychology, restaurant management, food safety and much more. Some management training programs will require students to take courses in science and history too.

Associate’s Degree in Restaurant Management

To obtain an associate’s degree, a person will need to complete at least two years of studies. Some top culinary schools will offer accelerated programs, enabling students to graduate with a degree in as little as 15 months. During an associate’s program, students will complete general education courses as well as learn the basics of management, bookkeeping procedures, catering services, food sanitation and much more.

Bachelor’s Degree in Restaurant Management

When taking the courses to earn a bachelor’s degree, a student will have to take part in at least four years of study. As before, accelerated programs for bachelor’s degrees can be taken part in, allowing students to complete their restaurant management training programs in as little as 30 months. A bachelor’s program will provide students with much more in-depth knowledge than an associate’s program. Courses taken in a bachelor’s program usually include those that focus on the following topics:

– Advanced accounting
– Hospitality law
– Marketing
– Tourism management
– Multiple restaurant management

People who are looking to manage a chain of restaurants will benefit the most from obtaining at least a bachelor’s degree.

On-the-Job Training

Much of the training that managers need cannot be learned in a classroom setting. It has to be learned through on-the-job training. This is one of the main reasons top culinary schools require students who are obtaining a degree take part in a wide variety of internships. While in school, if a student knows the type of restaurant he or she prefers to manage, it is best to take part in internships that will provide the student with the appropriate type of experience. In doing this, a student will be well-prepared upon completion of the internships to obtain the job of his or her dreams.

Certificate Programs

If a person does not have a desire to earn a degree, there are some schools that offer certificate training programs in restaurant management. Such programs can usually be completed in 12 months or less, with most of the coursework directly focusing on restaurant industry topics. Earning a certificate can help broaden a person’s employment opportunities; however, to work in a higher-end dining establishment, a person will most likely need to earn a degree from top restaurant management schools.