Food Service and Retail Sciences

Food Service and Retail Technician

Role in a Work Context:
The graduate in Food Service and Retail Science operates at various levels of the food chain, with a focus on the preparation and administration of meals, as well as the marketing of food and beverages. Graduates can take on operational and managerial roles in various food service and retail activities. They can also collaborate with other professionals involved in the production, preparation, and retail of food (e.g., food technologists, nutritionists, engineers, architects, chefs, sales and logistics personnel) and with official control bodies (e.g., ATS, NAS, ISS, EFSA).

Skills Associated with the Role:
- Development and control of food preparation and preservation processes.
- Evaluation of the quality and chemical, physical, sensory, microbiological, and nutritional characteristics of finished products, as well as semi-finished and raw materials.
- Preparation and administration of meals in public and private collective catering facilities and in activities related to the promotion of the food and wine sector.
- Control and management of hygiene-sanitary aspects, quality, food safety, and sustainability in food service and retail companies.
- Inspection, evaluation, and certification activities in certification bodies and control entities.
- Training and personnel selection in the food service and retail sector.

Furthermore, the multidisciplinary training acquired allows them to collaborate:
- In the organization and management of nutritional interventions with healthcare entities and structures to propose suitable solutions for proper nutrition.
- In the study, design, and management of agro-food development programs with community and international agencies.
- In the formulation of menus for different consumer categories.
- In the management of contracts in the field of collective catering.
- In the management of logistics and points of sale in the retail sector.
- In the design of food service and retail businesses.
- In activities related to communication, journalism, and eno-gastronomic tourism.

Career Opportunities:**
The professional opportunities for graduates in Food Service and Retail Science include:
- Catering companies.
- Organized retail companies.
- Service companies for catering and retail (installations and equipment, sanitation, design).
- Logistics centers for food supply.
- Consulting firms and certification bodies for the food sector.
- Public supervision and inspection bodies.
- Laboratories for microbiological, chemical, and sensory analysis of food.
- Companies in the food and wine sector and agritourism.