Food and Beverage

 

Food and Beverage: A Guide for Students

Food and beverage is a broad term that covers the production, distribution, service and consumption of various types of food and drinks. It is an important sector of the economy, as well as a source of employment, income and nutrition for millions of people. In this blog post, we will explore some aspects of food and beverage that students may find useful and interesting.

The Contribution of Beverage Industry in the Economic Development of Pakistan

The beverage industry in Pakistan consists of soft drinks, juices, bottled water, tea, coffee and dairy products. According to a report by CEIC Data, the production of beverages in Pakistan reached 280,232.5 thousand bottles in October 2018. The beverage industry contributes to the economic development of Pakistan in several ways:

• It provides employment opportunities for thousands of workers in manufacturing, distribution, retail and service sectors.
• It generates tax revenue for the government through sales tax, excise duty and income tax.
• It stimulates the growth of other industries such as sugar, packaging, transportation and advertising.
• It supports the agricultural sector by creating demand for raw materials such as fruits, milk and tea leaves.
• It enhances the quality of life and health of consumers by offering a variety of beverages that meet their preferences and nutritional needs.

However, the beverage industry also faces some challenges such as high production costs, low consumer spending power, regulatory barriers, environmental issues and competition from imported products. To overcome these challenges, the beverage industry needs to adopt innovative strategies such as product diversification, quality improvement, cost reduction, market expansion and social responsibility.

Food and Beverage Basic Knowledge

Food and beverage basic knowledge refers to the essential skills and information that are required to work in the food and beverage sector. Some examples of food and beverage basic knowledge are:

• Food safety: This involves following hygiene standards, preventing foodborne illnesses, handling food properly and storing food safely.
• Food preparation: This involves selecting ingredients, measuring quantities, using equipment, applying cooking methods and presenting dishes.
• Food service: This involves taking orders, serving food and drinks, clearing tables and handling payments.
• Food and beverage products: This involves knowing the types, characteristics, origins, uses and benefits of various food and beverage items.
• Food and beverage trends: This involves being aware of the changing consumer preferences, demands and expectations regarding food and beverage.

To acquire food and beverage basic knowledge, one can enroll in courses offered by online platforms such as Coursera, eCornell or Tutorials Point. Alternatively, one can also learn from books, magazines, websites or experienced professionals in the field.

Food and Beverage Certificate

A food and beverage certificate is a credential that certifies one’s competence and professionalism in the food and beverage sector. A food and beverage certificate can be obtained from various sources such as:

• Government agencies: For example, the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) issues a Food and Beverage Certificate (FB) to on-premises retailers who serve alcohol. The FB exempts them from certain bond issuance requirements and allows them to operate in dry areas.
• Educational institutions: For example, Collegedunia offers a Certificate Course in Food and Beverage Service that lasts for six months. The course covers topics such as menu planning, table setting, wine service and customer care.
• Professional associations: For example, the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI) offers a Certified Food and Beverage Executive (CFBE) certification to food and beverage managers who have at least five years of experience. The certification validates their skills in areas such as budgeting, marketing, staffing and sanitation.

A food and beverage certificate can benefit one’s career by enhancing one’s knowledge, skills, credibility and employability in the food and beverage sector.

Food and Beverage Companies

Food and beverage companies are businesses that produce or sell food or drinks. There are many types of food and beverage companies such as:

• Manufacturers: These are companies that process raw materials into finished products such as Nestlé (chocolate), Coca-Cola (soft drinks) or Unilever (ice cream).
• Distributors: These are companies that transport or deliver products from manufacturers to retailers or consumers such as PepsiCo (snacks), Sysco (foodservice) or Amazon (online).
• Retailers: These are companies that sell products directly to consumers through physical or online stores such as Walmart (supermarket), Starbucks (coffee shop) or Domino’s (pizza delivery).
• Service providers: These are companies that offer services related to food or drinks such as McDonald’s (fast food), Marriott (hotel) .

References.

1. https://www.ceicdata.com/en/pakistan/production-of-manufacturing-items/production-beverages
2. https://www.coursera.org/courses?query=food%20and%20beverage
3. https://ecornell.cornell.edu/certificates/hospitality-and-foodservice-management/food-and-beverage-management/
4. https://www.tutorialspoint.com/food_and_beverage_services/food_and_beverage_services_basics.htm
5. https://www.tabc.texas.gov/static/sites/default/files/2021-08/food-and-beverage-certificate-fb-sub-module-ces-lc.pdf
6. https://collegedunia.com/courses/certificate-course-in-food-and-beverage-service
7. https://www.ahlei.org/product/certified-food-and-beverage-executive-cfbe/
8. https://www.globaldata.com/media/uncategorised/pakistans-beverages-industry-volume-declined-9-2-q4-2020-says-globaldata/
9. https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2021/10/28/strengthening-exports-is-critical-for-pakistan-s-sustained-economic-growth
10. https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/food-and-beverage-certifications