What Is a Food and Beverage Analyst and How to Become One
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What Does a Food and Beverage Analyst Do?
A food and beverage analyst examines food samples and service records to understand the demand, appeal, and cost of preparing and serving meals for an establishment. Your duties in this career include tasting food, estimating the number of servings from recipes, deciphering unit cost of preparation, menu engineering, and reviewing financial reports. You are also in charge of forecasting customer traffic by studying reservation lists and attendance history, investigating complaints regarding the quality of ingredients, and planning menus. Your responsibilities also include checking inventory and ordering and stocking supplies. As a food and beverage analyst, you can work in restaurants, cafeterias, and other food establishments.
How to Become a Food and Beverage Analyst
To become a food and beverage analyst, you need a bachelor's degree in business, finance, hospitality, or a related field. A food handler's card is also required. Further certification is not necessary, but previous work in the food industry and handling finances is preferred. You need strong analytical and problem-solving skills, as well as proficiency in Microsoft Office. Employers look for applicants with prior menu engineering analysis and expense management experience. Other qualifications include strong math, time management, and communication skills.
