Influential Leaders and Jobs in the Restaurant Industry

The restaurant industry has many influential leaders that have impacted the industry, but the most prominent ones are Gordon Ramsey and Jamie Oliver. Gordon Ramsey is known for his reality television shows such as "Hells Kitchen" and "Ramsey's Kitchen Nightmares." He has also published 13 sensational cookbooks. His Gordon Ramsey Restaurant went from nowhere to three stars in just three years, a prize achieved by only five British Restaurants. In fact, Gordon Ramsey Holdings(GRH)  comprises nine London restaurants with eight Michelin stars. Jamie Oliver is also well known for his reality television shows called the Naked Chef and Jamie's Kitchen. He gained national recognition when he worked as a senior sous chef at the River Cafe for three and a half years where he was "discovered" in a 1997 TV documentary. The well known chef believes in helping out underprivileged people. In fact, he created his first Fifteen which he personally trains fifteen disadvantaged young people to become chefs. Both Gordon Ramsey and Jamie Oliver boast a hard work-ethic and are icons to people who love cooking for fun or for a profession.

http://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/2006/10/24/308864/CatererSearch-100-the-full-list.htm

The restaurant industry offers many jobs to people who wish to work in a restaurant. Available jobs include being a host/hostess, bartender, server, food runner, line cook, and pastry cook. The host is responsible for answering the telephone where they can make reservations or assist customers on directions or what time the restaurant opens and closes. Hosts also greet and escort customers to their reserved tables. A bartender is responsible for mixing drinks for customers and servers. They need be ready to carry heavy cases which can include glasses or bottles. Bartenders are also responsible for making sure the “right” TV programs are on for the bar patrons. A server is responsible for writing down orders and maintaining a friendly attitude toward the restaurant’s customers. Servers need to possess a great memory in order to inform customers on daily food specials and wine descriptions.  They also have to balance several hot plates. A food runner is required to keep their composure and bring in hot meals at a quick pace to customers. Line cooks actually play an important role in a restaurant by working together in the kitchen to cook food ordered by the patrons and prepare all foods needed for service. Line cooks need to be prepared to work in a hot and congested area, and also spend plenty of time preparing efficient meals for the customers. Pastry cooks play a similar role to line cooks but they make breads, deserts, ice creams, and other sweets for the restaurant.

http://www.ehow.com/facts_5143690_types-restaurant-jobs.html

I believe influential restaurateurs such as like Gordan Ramsey and Jamie Oliver have enhanced the image of the restaurant industry.  They bring a new sense of culture and attitude into the restaurant business. They create job opportunities, produce television shows that attract customers to their restaurants, and recruit selected individuals to develop their chef skills on TV. In my opinion, if these two icons didn’t exist, the restaurant industry would not be as successful and unable to offer as many job opportunities as they currently do.