Co-op program details

Food and Beverage Management - Hotel and Restaurant Operations

Program details

Credential: 2-Year Ontario College Diploma

This two year program focuses on the restaurant and hotel sectors and is designed to provide students with balanced training that combines theory and practical experience in restaurant operations, front office operations, customer service, people management, hands-on food preparation, and financial controls needed in the Hospitality industry. Co-op terms can be completed in a restaurant, hotel, catering or other approved food and beverage facility either locally or across Canada. In addition, courses such as communication, computer skills, marketing, and nutrition ensure graduates are well rounded to meet the demands of industry.

Student availability & wage data

Conestoga College facilitates recruitment on an ongoing basis - there are no hard deadlines. Typical time frames for work terms are listed below.

Postings are accepted beginning four months before the start of a term until all students have secured employment provided the minimum 12 consecutive weeks of full-time work is met.

Work/Study Sequence

Year Semester Semester Semester
Year 1 Classes Classes Work Term*: $16.55-18
Year 2 Classes Classes

*Note: students are available for work term in the following semesters: fall (September to the end of December); spring (May to the end of August).

Conestoga College collects data on hourly wages of co-operative education students and offers suggested ranges as a service to employers for the purpose of establishing fair and competitive compensation.

Our experience has been that employers increase wages as skills increase, particularly when employing students for more advanced work terms. The Co-operative Education Office can provide assistance to employers in establishing appropriate wage rates.

Work term capabilities

  • Fundamental skills in food service, restaurant operations, hotel front office and the knowledge necessary to prepare food and present menu items
  • Safe food and equipment handling skills
  • Provide excellent customer service in dining room and hotel settings
  • Prepare drinks and cocktails accurately and efficiently
  • Sound knowledge of Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS)
  • Able to apply cost-control techniques for food, beverages and labour
  • Knowledge of purchasing, receiving, storage and inventory procedures
  • Experience with Point of Sales Cash Systems and Hotel Property Management systems
  • Computer skills in Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint
  • Food Safety Certificate - familiar with safe food handling practices
  • Smart Serve Certified - familiar with alcohol service regulations

Sample job titles

  • Dining Room or Banquet Server
  • Bartender
  • Cook
  • Host/Hostess
  • Management Trainee
  • Hotel Front Office Agent

Program courses

To see a typical course list for this program, see the current program course information.

Post a co-op job now

Setup an account or login to Conestoga's MyCareer to post a job.

Contact information

Do you need help developing a recruitment plan or job posting, accessing wage information, or connecting with a talented co-op student? Contact:

Jeff Hoekman
Employer Relations Consultant
Jhoekman@conestogac.on.ca
519-748-5220 ext. 5137