"As the day passes so does the mood of the restaurant. The bustle of breakfast is replaced by relaxed conversations at lunch which then runs through to the low lights and romance of the evening...."

Waitress My name is Sarah and I am a Waitress at a large hotel in Leeds City Centre. I have been working in the hotel industry for the last 3 years and previously worked in restaurants for 6 years. Compared to the restaurant industry, the hours are more flexible within hotels, which make people more free spirited and relaxed, everyone appears to enjoy the job more and work together like a small family. I have just completed my Intermediate Food Hygiene, which is very good for this industry and will help me move from one hotel to another. Within the hotel there is lots of internal training and I am hoping to go on a management skills course.

A Day in the Life

Start shift at 7am

Write out the job tasks for the associates for Breakfast shift. Check that the Marriott Breakfast is in place i.e. service and food quality.

At 10am I attend the meeting that covers the business requirements for the day and for the next day. After the meeting I change the jobs lists for the associates in order for them to prep for lunch.

At 10.45 I do 15 minutes training with all the associates on something that is relevant for them.

At 11.30 I send everyone for their lunch.

At 12 we open the restaurant for the guests.

At 2.30 I check the bookings for the dinner shift and handover to the late supervisor.

Background and Training

• I have done cross training within the hotel and can work in most of the departments.
• I am Duty Manager trained. I have completed spirit to serve and hospitality training along with up selling training.
• Everyday we complete 15 minutes training within the departments.
• I have also completed the steps supervisory course in house. I have also done the compulsory training courses i.e. COSHH, Food and Hygiene, fire training and H&S.
• I have recently completed an Interbrew Brewmaster course on how to pour the perfect pint.
• I have also undertaken daily standard auditing within the hotel.

Career Progression

I wish to develop myself further within F&B and within the Marriott Chain.

Eventually I wish to be come operations manager within the Marriott chain.

Qualifications Needed

No formal qualifications are needed although Maths and English are useful, as is a foreign language.

College courses offer 1 or 2 year full time courses leading to catering an hospitality NVQs/SVQ qualifications.

National traineeships and modern apprenticeships may give you the opportunity to train while you work.

Qualities Needed

Good communication skills with an open friendly approach. High level of stamina with a good sense of humour.