From Kitchen to Guest: The Importance of F&B in Hospitality
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F&B, short for Food and Beverage, covers everything from dining experiences to catering services. The F&B world is a big deal in hospitality — it’s where tons of jobs are created and serious money is made.
The food and beverage industry significantly impacts hospitality, contributing to job creation and revenue generation. With an impressive annual growth rate of 8.7%, it is projected to reach $8.9 trillion by 2026. To remain competitive, businesses must adapt to changing tastes, preferences, and emerging food trends.
Plus, let’s be real: great F&B can make or break a guest’s experience. Nail it, and you’ve got happy guests who keep coming back for more.
In this blog, we’re exploring all things food and beverage and sharing tips on how to improve your F&B operational services.
Why is food and beverage so important in hospitality?
The F&B side of hospitality is not just about great meals; it’s a major driver of a property’s success. For hotels and resorts managing their own F&B, about 25% of their total revenue comes from these services. That says a lot about how much guests value dining during their stay.
Social media takes this to another level. Around 64% of leisure travellers share their dining experiences on Instagram and Facebook. That’s basically free advertising, influencing future guests, and increasing the hotel’s brand. Word of mouth is king in these social media streets.
What are the main types of F&B services hotels can offer?
Understanding the types of services in the F&B industry is crucial because the customer’s dining experience and the success of restaurants depend on it. Here are the main types of food and beverage services you can offer:
1. Formal dining services
Formal dining is all about that fancy, upscale restaurant vibe where good manners, attention to detail, and a classy atmosphere come together to make your meal extra special. You’ll usually find well-dressed staff, beautiful table settings, and a menu carefully crafted to showcase some serious cooking skills.
The focus here is on top-notch service and creating a luxurious atmosphere. The dishes are made with care and look amazing, and the staff is trained to ensure a smooth and enjoyable dining experience. People who choose formal dining usually look for a luxurious experience, often for special occasions. It’s all about feeling pampered and indulged, with every part of the meal adding to that sense of elegance and refinement.
2. Assisted services
Assisted services offer a hands-on approach to your dining experience. Rather than simply sitting back and letting the staff handle everything, you get to be part of the action.
Imagine serving yourself from a buffet or selecting from a wide variety of options in a lounge. This dining style is more relaxed and interactive, allowing you to decide what goes on your plate.
It’s ideal for casual settings and events where people want to socialise and sample a range of dishes. The focus is on exploring and personalising your meal. It also allows patrons to try experimental cuisines, such as plant-based dishes and alternative proteins.
3. Self-service catering
Whether it’s grabbing food, pouring their drinks, or clearing their table, guests play a more active role in self-service catering. You’ll see self-service in cafeterias or fast-food spots with a single counter.
It’s super convenient and lets people move at their own pace, making it perfect for quick and fuss-free dining. Plus, it gives guests a little extra control to customise their experience just the way they like it. Remember, people gravitate towards more personalised experiences, and self-service gives them just that; it’s also a great way to upsell and cross-sell your services.
4. Special services
Special service takes dining to the next level by offering food and drinks in places you wouldn’t normally expect—like your room, a private setting, or even your home. It’s all about creating a personalised and unforgettable experience.
This can include room service, tray service, home delivery, and even curated tasting menus designed to delight your palate with multiple courses. You’ll often find these services in upscale restaurants, 5-star hotels, and catering events where the goal is to cater to individual preferences with extra care and attention.
Whether it’s savoring a multi-course tasting menu, enjoying the luxury of in-room dining, or having gourmet meals delivered, special services are all about making guests feel valued and providing that one-of-a-kind culinary experience.
What are the latest trends in the food and beverage industry?
A fantastic holiday experience is often defined by the delightful food and drinks that guests eagerly anticipate. Dishing up an exceptional culinary journey is the proverbial cherry on top— I mean, who doesn’t want their taste buds blown away?
Here are some of the exciting trends shaking up the food and beverage industry: Sustainable and local sourcing: Guests are loving farm-to-table options and eco-friendly practices; it’s time to get foraging.
Plant-based and alternative proteins: Vegan, vegetarian, and plant-based menus are in high demand. Don’t underestimate the power of a beautifully plated kale and broccoli dish.
Tech integration: QR code menus, mobile ordering, and AI tools are becoming the norm. Incorporate these into your F&B services and watch how guests flock to your restaurant because of the convenience it provides.
Health-conscious choices: Think low-calorie, low-sugar, immune-boosting beverages and gut-friendly food options. Being healthy doesn’t mean you sacrifice taste.
Creative presentation: Instagram-worthy dishes and drinks that are as fun to look at as they are to eat. As one wise Michelin chef said, “feed the eye first”. Okay, fine, no chef said that, but that’s neither here nor there.
Moving towards a socially responsible approach in the F&B sector
Food waste is a massive problem in the F&B industry, with the hospitality sector losing $100 billion each year. To put that into perspective, imagine spending $100 every second without stopping — it would take you over 31 years to burn through it all.
This issue goes beyond just money; food waste also hurts the environment, contributing significantly to carbon emissions, ranking just behind China and the USA. By tackling food waste, hotels, B&Bs, and restaurants can reduce losses, protect the planet, and help create a more sustainable future.
One way to make a positive impact is through responsible sourcing, which means using ingredients grown in ways that don’t harm the earth. It’s like making sure that what’s on your plate is also good for the planet. As a result, many restaurants are also cutting down on plastic and other non-biodegradable products and adopting eco-friendly practices.
Ethical practices play a key role, too, ensuring fair treatment for everyone involved, from farmers to cooks and all restaurant workers. It’s about ensuring that everyone benefits and is treated well.
Boost your efficiency with RoomRaccoon’s Food & Beverages List
Whether you run a smaller, independent hotel or a cozy property with an intimate Food & Beverage offering, RoomRaccoon’s F&B List is designed to help you work smarter, not harder. This add-on feature enhances efficiency and maximises revenue by:
- tracking your F&B orders with filters for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, ensuring you know exactly how much to prepare.
- sharing your F&B List with your kitchen by printing or emailing it.
- staying organised and efficient, reducing waste, and keeping operations running smoothly.
Given that staffing has become a significant challenge for many in the industry, especially in the post-COVID era, maintaining a full team can be difficult. This is where technology comes in to save the day; by utilising tools that automate and streamline processes, you can keep operations running smoothly even with fewer staff members.
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Sini. M
Sini is an accomplished Content Manager at RoomRaccoon. As an agency-hailed talent, her work brings a fresh creative flair to the world of SaaS. And she brings her very own brand of sass to the SaaS world. While not on the clock, Sini enjoys a glass of fine wine, and well, her privacy.
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