Career as Kitchen Manager
A kitchen manager is simply the key individual who oversees the proper functioning of the kitchen operations in the food industry. A Kitchen Manager's responsibilities consists of supervising the food prep and cooking, maintaining a fully-stocked kitchen inventory and complying with safety and cleanliness standards.
The main job is to ensure customer satisfaction. This means making sure all the plates are cooked well in completely hygienic conditions with the requirements and preferences of the customer. They also guide the kitchen staff and ensure that the order gets served on time.
They harness a variety of skills such as customer service, people management, leadership, budget making, high energy levels at all times, great communication skills, problem-solving and conflict resolution skills, planning and multitasking and giving feedback. The job is one of the most interesting and popular jobs in the food and beverage industry. If a candidate has a passion for working in the F&B at a managerial position and has the required skill set, this job can turn out to be in their favour.
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Eligibility Criteria
Kitchen Manager is a job that involves meticulous working and knowledge of hotel management, customer service and team management. Candidates who want to pursue their career as a Kitchen Manager must fulfil the essential eligiblity criteria mentioned below:
- The candidate must have a have degree in the field of hospitality, hotel management, culinary arts etc. A Master's degree is preferred by many organisations.
- The candidate must have a work experience of a few years in a related field to apply for this position.
- The candidate must be adaptable, patient, organised, proactive and methodological in nature.
- Culinary Expertise
- Leadership
- Time Management
- Communication
- Adaptability
- Problem-Solving
Types of Job Roles
Kitchen Manager have several roles and responsiblities as a part of their diverse job. It is important for them to handle their job role with utmost precision in order to provide a comfertable stay to the customers at the facility.
- Management of Staff: A Kitchen Manager is responsible for keeping an eye on the kitchen staff and coordinate with the food orders. They also supervise food prep and cooking, establish portion sizes and schedule the staff shifts.
- Documentation and Profiting: He is supposed to keep weekly and monthly cost reports to estimate the profit or loss of the organisation. He ensures that the organisation generates profit on a daily basis.
- Supporting Restaurant Manager: He is expected to help an help and coordinate with the Restaurant manager in deciding the price of the menu items.
- Food Safety: He makes sure that the food is kept safety in a clean and hygienic environment. He is responsible for maintaining the quality standard of the food items and store them in compliance with the safety practices (i.e. in the refrigerators.)
Admission
To land a job as a Kitchen Manager the candidate must have a bachelor's or master's degree in the relevent field. Some of the courses which can be pursued after completing the 10+2 qualification are mentioned below:
Bachelor's Degree Programs for Kitchen Manager:
- B.A in Culinary Arts
- B.Sc in Culinary Arts
- Bachelor of Catering Technology and Culinary Arts
- Bachelor of Hotel Management and Catering Technology.
- B.Sc in Hospitality and Hotel Administration
Master's Degree Programs for Kitchen Manager:
- PGD in Culinary Hotel Management
- Master of Hotel Management
- MBA in Hotel Management
- PGD in Culinary Arts
Some of the colleges offering relevent courses are mentioned below:
- Jagannath University, Bahadurgarh
- Graphic Era Hill University, Haldwani Campus
- Jagran Lackcity University, Lucknow
- Amity University, Lucknow
Exam
The various subjects taught during the courses leading to Kitchen Manager jobs are:
- Introduction to Hospitality Industry
- Culinary French and Basic Accountancy
- Hotel Law
- Organizational Behaviours
- Hospitality Marketing & Sales
- Facility Planning
- Travel and Tourism
- Housekeeping, Hygiene, and Sanitation
- Housekeeping and Laundry Operations
- Facility Planning
- Hotel Financial Management
- Facilities Design & Management
- Housekeeping Operations
- Front Office Operations
- Food and Beverage Service
- Personality and Communication Development
- Application of Computers
Prep Books
Some of the prep books to prepare for various exams related to Kitchen Manager are mentioned below:
- Hotel Management and Hospitality Administration by Arihant Study Package
- Food Microbiology by Willium C. Frazier, Dennis C. Westoff and K.N Vanitha
- Front of the House: Restaurant Manners, Misbehaviors & Secrets by Jeff Benjamin
- How to Prepare For the Hotel Management Entrance Examination by Thorpe
- Ramesh Hotel Management Entrance Exam Guide by RPH Editorial Board
- Hotel Management Entrance Exam Guide by Dr R P Datason
FAQ's
Some of the entrance exams candidates can take are NCHMCT JEE, IIHMCA CEE, etc.
Kitchen Managers are responsible for overseeing all aspects of kitchen operations, including staff management, food preparation, menu planning, inventory control, and ensuring a clean and safe environment. They coordinate with front-of-house staff, manage budgets, enforce hygiene standards, and ensure dishes meet quality and presentation standards.
While formal education is not always mandatory, having a culinary degree, hospitality management degree, or relevant certifications (such as ServSafe for food safety) can enhance your qualifications. Many Kitchen Managers have gained experience through years of working in kitchens and advancing their skills.
