Food service refers to the act of preparing and serving food at dining outlets and social events or gatherings. Nowadays, more and more people prefer to eat out of home, be it during any special occasions or to take a break from mundane life. The food service industry essentially encompasses all sorts of catering businesses, packaged food and beverage companies, and all establishments preparing and serving food outside the home.

Food service operators
Food service operators refer to the diverse forms of meal and snack serving centers, ranging from the small snack bar in the street to fine dining areas like high-end restaurants and hotels. There are divided into two broad categories.

Commercial operators
They constitute the major segment of the food service outlets. Their main operational aim is to sell food products to obtain profits. Some such establishments are:

Different kinds of restaurants, including family restaurants, drive-through outlets, fast food restaurants, takeaways, food trucks, etc.
Bakeries that prepare and sell snacks like cakes, cookies, pastries, bread, etc.
Catering and banqueting companies are also part of the list. These companies mainly prepare and serve food at wedding events, festivals, various types of parties arranged by individuals, conferences, etc., according to the demand of the event organizers.
Non-commercial operators that serve food as a part of non-profit services or as an add-on to another facility. Non-commercial services are mainly provided at hospitals, educational institutions, care homes, cafeterias and canteens of offices, airports, and free food vending machines.

The companies that manufacture the essentials required to run these food service outlets, like the equipment needed to cook, store and serve food also form an integral part of this industry.

Food service types
The food service outlets provide food for immediate consumption on-site and as parcels to be taken away to eat at another place. The different types of food service delivery options offered by various dining centers are detailed below:

Full service
In a full-service restaurant, staff is employed to take care of the orders and deliver food to the customer’s table.

Limited or self-service
Limited-service restaurants do not provide table service. The customer has to order, pay, and then get the food from a checkout counter. They can sit in the restaurant and have a meal.

Quick service
It is the type of food delivery method often seen in fast-food restaurants, where only listed dishes that can be prepared in a short time are served. It requires only minimal table service and these food outlets have limited seating.

Takeaways
Take-out or takeaway restaurants prepare food items and provide them as parcels to the customers, to eat somewhere else. They do not offer a dining space.

Food delivery services
It can be called a food courier service. Both restaurants and food delivery companies or aggregators offer this kind of facility. Customers are required to place an order at these food service providers through their website or mobile app. The food items will be delivered to your doorstep by the delivery person.
Takeaways and food delivery services may charge you extra for the packaging. It is mandatory to pack the food items in materials that are approved as safe and standard by the concerned food regulatory authority in a country.

Jobs in the food service industry
The food service industry is a vast and diverse sector offering employment opportunities to a wide range of skilled laborers, from entry-level jobs to senior positions. If you are looking forward to pursuing a career in this field, then check out the following popular food service jobs.

Chef
A chef oversees a restaurant’s kitchen operations. They manage the cooking staff, decide and create menus, and prepare guidelines for food quality and serving. There is a chef hierarchy in professional kitchens, with the executive or head chef on top, followed by the sous chef and station chef. An industrial kitchen also has a pastry chef, sushi chef etc, each specialized in making specific items.

Sommelier
Also known as wine steward, their duty is to recommend customers the wine type that goes well with each cuisine. They also serve the drink to the guests.

Food manager
Food managers lead the kitchen staff and are also responsible for checking the table service.

Food tester
Food testers test a sample of the dishes prepared by the cooks, to ensure the food’s safety, quality and other aspects like flavor, taste, and proportion of the ingredients.

To land a position in the food service industry, a person must possess certain skills involving food preparation, customer service, and restaurant management, depending on the role.

Conclusion
The food service industry is a flourishing sector due to the desire to eat fancy food, try new cuisines, have an experience, or celebrate an occasion. Nowadays, many prefer to have restaurant food in the comfort of their home, enabling food delivery companies and services to gain much momentum in recent years. Along with the food service industry, the packaging industry has also expanded. The food packaging industries are concerned with packing food items in biodegradable films, aseptic packaging, canning vegetables and fruits, and processed food packaging.