Food and Beverage Management – Restaurant Management Program (H132)

Program Description

Program Overview

Immerse yourself in a community of hospitality-focused individuals while exploring your passion for the food and beverage sector. Develop your business acumen in the five key pillars of a successful Food and Restaurant Management professional: marketing, sales, human resources management, operations management and finance. Enhance your learning experience by marrying theoretical knowledge with real-world practical experience via our state-of-the-art simulation labs, world-renowned Chefs’ House restaurant and vibrant industry networking events. This is the place to launch your career in the restaurant management world.

Full Description

GBC’s Food and Beverage Management program, you will learn about the exciting and diverse Food and Beverage industry with courses in wine, mixology, entrepreneurship and strategic restaurant management. Your first year in this program will provide you with foundational industry knowledge, by learning and working alongside your peers across all sectors in our School of Hospitality and Tourism Management, referred to as a “common first year approach.” In your first year, you will gain knowledge in the areas of hotels, event planning, tourism and food and beverages through a range of practical and theoretical courses.

During your second year of study, you will apply your understanding of theory through unique learning techniques and invaluable practical experience. You will have the opportunity to:

  • take over The Chefs’ House, our state-of-the-art restaurant and learning facility, where you will manage all aspects of operations including designing and selling tickets, working with industry partners, performing cost analysis and designing the food and beverage menu in partnership with our culinary students.
  • embark on an educational, virtual adventure via our Restaurant Simulation, where you will revitalize and transform a failing restaurant into a profitable enterprise by using decision-making, management and financial-planning skills.

Note: George Brown College has adopted a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) initiative. As a result, we no longer have computer lab classrooms. For classes that require computers, students will need to bring their own laptops. Our Library Learning Commons offers open access computers as well as equipment that can be borrowed on a short-term basis. For more information, please contact The Centre for Hospitality and Culinary Arts at chcastudentsupport@georgebrown.ca

Your Field Education Options

As part of your fourth semester, you will complete a 14-week industry externship with your choice of a nationwide or international placement. This opportunity will enhance your knowledge with real-world experience and help you start building your network of contacts. Completing the Food and Beverage Management program will make you the kind of multitalented graduate the local and international food and beverage industry is seeking in today’s competitive environment.

Graduates gain the skills required to be progressive leaders within the industry, enriching the experience of food and beverage guests. You will receive industry certifications in food safety, responsible alcohol beverage service, WSET and first aid (CPR). To better hone your international food and beverage management skills you have the option of participating in an exclusive Experiential Study Tour.

This program allows you to switch into any of our hospitality and tourism management programs by your second year, should your hospitality area of interest change. As well, we know life can be full of unexpected events; should you not be able to complete your final year of study, our common first year model makes you eligible to graduate with a one-year certificate in Hospitality Services (H101).  

Career & Postgraduate Study Opportunities

Career Options

A world of local and international opportunities awaits you when you graduate. Food and Beverage Management professionals may establish their career paths in restaurants, breweries, wineries, resorts, hotels, clubs and convention centres – to name but a few. Toronto alone has more than 9,000 restaurants and 230 hotels. While many of our graduates will own and/or operate successful food and restaurant operations, other students will choose to specialize in areas such as marketing, sales, human resources, finance and consulting.

Educational Pathways

Earn a diploma and a bachelor’s degree. Qualified graduates of our Food and Beverage – Restaurant Management program may be eligible to enter the Honours Bachelor of Business Administration (Hospitality) degree program at George Brown College as an advanced standing student in September or January. You may also choose to start in the spring bridging semester from May to August, continuing into the degree program in September. This educational path requires a minimum grade point average of 2.7 to qualify. Talk to a program coordinator about articulation options.

For further information, see Transfer Guide.

"Food and Beverage Management is a fantastic program that culminates with the ability to test all of your skills and knowledge through the externship placement and simulation project. The externship placement is a chance to apply all of the practical knowledge we have been given in a hands-on way, as well as an opportunity to build relationships with leading industry professionals. Working hand in hand with the externship placement is the simulation project, which really gives you the ability to bring in your own creativity and hone your decision-making skills in an industry-specific way. The amazing faculty at George Brown College has created a finale to a program that sets you up for wonderful new beginnings in your career!"

Berkley Bradley
Ontario College Diploma

Visit and discover life in our campus

Book campus tour

Get answers to your questions

Book info session

Sign up to receive tailored resources to make your application, your way.

Sign up and learn more about your options, our programs, and life at George Brown.