The food management industry covers a broad spectrum of tasks in multiple career options for the aspirants. When people hear the word ‘food management,’ the first thing that comes to their mind is the ‘food service’ sector. The food or catering service depends upon several types of managers that supervise every part of food management.
What is responsible food management?
What is Food Management?
Food management is an extensive process that ranges from food selection and its preparation to food arrangement, display, and preservation. The food managers ensure that any served or sold food’s taste, quality, and safety meet the local authorities’ standards. The basic duty of foodservice professionals is to ascertain that every food sold to individual consumers and businesses comply with the quality regulations.
Given below is an overview of different aspects of food management overseen by various professionals:
Food Inspection & Processing
Food inspectors are tasked with guaranteeing the cleanliness of preparation facilities. They need to see that the raw and packaged food is stored at an appropriate temperature and in safe areas. Further, they ensure that the food is not contaminated and checked for damage before being shipped or delivered to the waiting customers.
Restaurants are required to stick to the prescribed standards and criteria of quality. In addition to verifying that the packaged food is prepared as per the stated standards, the inspectors also ensure that it is set for delivery not to deteriorate its freshness en-route to the final destination. Even on delivery, other similar supervisors inspect the delivered food products to ensure no damage during transport. Their sole purpose is to ensure the freshness and quality of food.
Below is an example of food management planning, cost calculation:
Foodservice inspectors work in food processing and manufacturing plants.
Food Display & Presentation
Food presentation and arrangement is one of the neglected aspects of food management in many areas of the world. Yet, it is seen as an essential thing in educated and prosperous communities. The steps to food preparation and food organization go hand-in-hand as a part of the food management process. Here comes the role of food manager who knows how and where the food should be kept. This expert manages the commercial kitchen in the best possible manner, directs the efficient storage of food, and evaluates the freshness of food before its usage in preparing cuisines. This manager may be in a chef’s position in a local restaurant or a part of the hotel’s hospitality management team. Chefs prepare food or a part of it that is added to various dishes.
Generally, the entire kitchen staff is a crucial part of this management team since all these revolve around food and its preparation.
Other Facts about Food Management
People involved in food management need to be well-versed with the correct methods to wash their hands. Besides the restaurant and hotel jobs, food management includes confirming that any expired food is not put up for sale in supermarkets.
Today, almost every food product carries stamps stating the date by which it must be consumed. Manufacturers of items like packaged cereals commonly send their quality inspectors to assess the displayed products in supermarkets. These inspectors need to ensure that the food items are well within their written dates. This way, manufacturers know that only fresh food is available to customers. The expired food is not just harmful to eat but also lacks its characteristic taste. In some cases, stale food develops a foul taste and an unnatural appearance.
So, anyone who helps and does the work of food preparation or presentation is said to be a part of the food management team. Even in households, the people who cook or help in the process are responsible for checking the food quality. They usually dispose of the expired food and intend to prepare recipes that appear pleasing and taste good. Apart from preventing the adverse effects of expired food, special attention is given to each food item’s presentation and preparation to make it delicious and healthy to eat.
Importance of Food Management
The food management process is critical to safeguarding the quality, safety, and taste in cooking meals offered to the public. A proficient food manager is aware of evaluating the freshness of food. Similar experts also oversee the preparation of beverages and drinks at clubs and bars. Some others have the job of keeping an eye on the sources of raw food produce. Effective food-management ultimately leads to a favorable consumer experience and has a long-term impact on food sales.