BMIH6002: Reflective Journal on Managing Food & Beverage Operations

This reflective essay documents a student's experience as a waiter at the Hilton Hotel East Midlands Airport, focusing on intellectual, personal, and professional development. The student details their responsibilities, including taking orders, serving food, and assisting in the bar. The placement aimed to enhance technical skills, conceptual understanding, task management, communication, and time management. The student reflects on improvements in communication, customer service, and management skills, as well as academic development related to the hospitality industry and customer behavior. The essay also addresses lost opportunities and a guest service problem related to noise, along with the implemented solution. The student concludes that the learning log was valuable for skill development and problem-solving, emphasizing the importance of job placements for career decision-making. Desklib offers more solved assignments and past papers for students.

Student name: Kazi Yousuf
Student ID Number:
Programme: BA International Hotel Management
Module code: Managing Food and Beverage Operations
Module code: BMIH6002
Contribution to Overall Module Assessment (%):
Lecturer:
Christopher Wilkin, Rodrigo Fernandes Aguilera
Assignment Title:
Word Count: 1149

Introduction
Students may independently record what they already know and have comprehended using a
learning log. They have greater control over their schooling as a result (Educations, 2022).
Using the learning journal, I may reflect on my life and career It is critical to assess how well I
have developed intellectually, personally, and professionally. This reflective essay discusses my
experience working as a waitress at the Hilton Hotel at East Midlands Airport. My journey has
begun; it will change my life and teach me about the hospitality sector. I'll talk about the
intellectual, personal, and professional growth I had throughout my internship in my reflection
essay.
Learning Log- development record
Overview of overall placement
I, Kazi Yousuf, was recently employed at the Hilton Hotel East Midline Airport. I worked as a
waiter at a hotel. I take orders, serve food and drinks, and clean the tables as part of my duties.
I sometimes assisted in making drinks and meals. Additionally, I oversaw supplies for our
employer. To assure good service at a hotel linked with our institution, I took online food and
beverage management classes. The placement aimed to improve my academic, professional,
and personal development. I was posted to Hilton Hotel East Midland in Castle Donington,
north-west Leicestershire. A 5-minute drive from the airport, the hotel has an indoor pool and
fitness facility (Hilton Hotel, 2023). The spacious rooms include 32-inch TVs, workstations, and
noise-cancelling windows. Hilton East Midlands guests may get massages and treatments at
the beauty salon. The Pavilion Restaurant of the hotel is a notable feature for certain patrons as
it provides breakfast on a daily basis. Additionally, the Whisk + Ladle Bar and Kitchen presents
an international menu and contemporary, modern and stylish ambiance for all-day dining (Hilton
Hotel, 2023). Furthermore, a majority of the edifices within the hotel premises are constructed in
accordance with contemporary architectural principles. Consequently, the hotel has integrated
advanced technological features and a cutting-edge security system into every aspect of its
operations. The hotel's distinctive attributes attract a diverse range of guests from various
socioeconomic backgrounds, who opt to lodge at this specific establishment. During my hotel
placement, I have had the opportunity to interact with individuals from diverse backgrounds. I
was privileged to secure a placement at the Pavilion Restaurant of the hotel, specifically in the
food and beverage department. My responsibilities entailed taking orders, clearing tables,
serving food and assisting in the bar during peak hours. The purpose of the placement was to

enhance our proficiency and expertise in hospitality management and service management as a
whole. I have discovered that the various aspects have provided avenues for enhancing skills
through the process of problem-solving.
Placement objectives and experience
I was able to improve my technical skills, conceptual understanding, task management,
communication, time management, discipline, knowledge applications, and theoretical
application thanks to my placement. When it comes to the hotel's food and beverage
management divisions, online training is only the beginning. During my job placement, I saw so
many diverse activities that I found managing hotels and restaurants to be pretty fascinating.
The waiter's staff must serve guests' orders with courtesy and be concerned about and attentive
to what they are ordering (Restaurantonline.co.uk, 2021). At first, I was pretty concerned, but
eventually, I adapted. My general work experience has taught me that waiters need to be calm
and patient while conversing with customers about their orders and requirements. Additionally, I
learned a number of strategies for handling consumer concerns during the course. I've identified
a few areas where I can improve, both technically and socially.
Evidence of achievement and learning agreement
Thanks placement opportunity at Hilton hotel, I had gotten a once in a lifetime opportunity to
learn many things in first-hand about hospitality management. The placement eventually helped
me to develop many aspects of my life.
Self-development- As per my job as a waiter at the Hilton hotel, I was required to be as good as
possible at communicating with guests. I had to be aware of the situation and try to do my best
to fulfil the guest's desires as well as manage angry guests. Most of the problems I faced during
my job were not technical problems; they were adaptive problems that needed creative
solutions (Access, 2020). Basically, it helps me learn new skills, improve my communication and
interpersonal skills, build confidence, and increase motivation and productivity.
Vocational development- While working as a better I got the chance to improve my customer
service and interpersonal skills, such as communication or patience, to ensure guests have a
positive experience. It eventually helped garnish management skills. I also learn easy-to-
implement waitering tips that helped me to become a skilful waiter who values their work and
provides efficient service. Furthermore this game me also the opportunity implements my

academical knowledge that I have learnt in my institution and see how they can resolve difficult
problems in a matter of seconds.
Academic development- during my placement there was not much direct connection to
academic development but I still managed to improve some of my skills. First of all, I had been
acknowledged for learning in depth about the hospitality industry as well as customer behaviour,
growing market variables, and choices (Hotel Owner , 2021). I also learn about the financing of
hotels and management, along with growing concerns, etc.
Lost opportunities- During my placement, I have encountered many lost opportunities. I had
immense interest in behavioural psychology and policy making but lacked knowledge in
Economics. I lost the opportunity to enter that department. Placing myself in the serving position
was therefore a great challenge, as I had to restructure my priorities. At one time, I had another
lost opportunity. I was selected to represent our company on the big stage at hotel restaurant
reunions, but I felt short
Guest Service problem experienced by the hotel and possible solution
During my placement period, I was responsible for serving and also many other activities. As we
know, customers are the best base of all quality control, and without their approval, the business
cannot grow, so it is logical to believe that customers are the first priority of any business (Hotel
Owner , 2021). At my placement time, the customers sometimes complained about noise from
neighbours because the hotel is located in a crowded place with several machine
shops and garages. However, the authority and all other things take the decision seriously, and
then we complain to the neighbouring shops and charge penalties. After that, no reasonable
problem has been solved a little bit, but the customers are still complaining, so we install
soothing music in the hotel in order to satisfy customers and prevent the noise.
Conclusion
The utilisation of a learning log has proven to be a valuable tool in fostering the development of
my skills. Moreover, it enhanced my capacity for analysis in evaluating issues and proposing a
feasible resolution. Consequently, the provision of job placement services is imperative in
enabling individuals to make informed decisions regarding their career paths.

Reference list
Access (2020). Access Singapore. [online] www.theaccessgroup.com. Available at:
https://www.theaccessgroup.com/en-sg/.
Educations (2022). Hospitality & Tourism Management: the Ultimate Student Guide (2020).
[online] educations.com. Available at:
https://www.educations.com/articles-and-advice/hospitality-tourism-guide-17196
Hilton Hotel (2023). Hilton East Midlands Airport. [online] Hilton.com. Available at:
https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/emahnhn-hilton-east-midlands-airport/?SEO_id=BING-EMEA-
HN-EMAHNHNv [Accessed 9 Jun. 2023].
Hotel Owner (2021). Hotel Owner. [online] Hotel Owner. Available at:
https://www.hotelowner.co.uk/.
Restaurantonline.co.uk (2021). Restaurant. [online] restaurantonline.co.uk. Available at:
https://www.restaurantonline.co.uk/.