FOOD AND BEVERAGE SERVICE

1.1 Sectors of the foodservice industry

The international foodservice industry provides millions of meals a day in a wide variety of

types of operation.

l Food can include a wide range of styles and cuisine types. These can be classified by country,

for example, traditional British or Italian; by type of cuisine, for example, oriental; or a

particular speciality such as fish, vegetarian or health food.

l Beverages include all alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. Alcoholic beverages include wines

and all other types of alcoholic drink such as cocktails, beers and cider, spirits and liqueurs.

Non-alcoholic beverages include bar beverages such as mineral waters, juices, squashes and

aerated waters, as well as tea, coffee, chocolate, milk and milk drinks and also proprietary

drinks such as Bovril.

Figure 1.1 Multiple food outlets at the Trafford Centre, Manchester (image courtesy of FCSI UK and I)

Within the foodservice industry there are a number of different industrial sectors and these

are categorised according to the type of customer demand being met. To help you identify the

nature of demand being met within each sector, Table 1.1 provides a list of industry sectors and

identifies the prime purpose of the foodservice operations within them. An historical summary

is also given together with an identification of both UK and international terminology. This

identification of sectors also provides a framework for those studying the food and beverage

service industry to which further studies and experience may be related.

Each sector described in Table 1.1 (see page 4) may be further analysed by considering a set

of variables that exist in the different sectors (Table 1.2). These variables represent elements

that vary in particular sectors and thus provide a basis for examining the different types of

foodservice operations within specific sectors. They enable a comprehensive picture of industrial

sectors to be compiled and also provide the basis for the comparison of the different sectors.

There are many different industry sectors such as hotels, independent and chain restaurants,

popular catering, pubs and wine bars, fast food, leisure attractions and banqueting. There are

also sectors where food and beverages are provided as part of another business. These include

transport catering, welfare, clubs, education, industrial feeding and the armed forces.