Many Job Opportunities In Hospitality Industry

Perhaps the most unusual career at the Boston Harbor Hotel is that of zamboni operator, whose job it is to keep the ice rink situated under the well-known archway on Rowes Wharf functioning properly. With the four-star Meritage restaurant, a wine festival, a lovely spa and other amenities, services job opportunities at the Boston Harbor Hotel run the gamut from massage therapists to bartenders. In 2013 Boston Harbor Hotel’s employees nominated it as one of the globe’s top ten places to work.

The Pyramid Hotel Group’s regional director of human resources, Judy Brooks, discussed job opportunities at the Boston Harbor and in the hospitality industry in general with the Boston Globe. When asked how applicants could find out about job opportunities at the Boston Harbor Hotel, she said that all jobs were advertised on BestHotelCareers.com. This is a website run by the Pyramid Hotel Group, which owns resorts, golf courses and spas throughout the country.

Those who are interested in a job opportunity at the group can also come by on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays to fill out an application form. They can complete the form electronically at any one of a bank of computers that are at the disposal of applicants, and it is not at all unusual for job seekers to find a job at the hotel in this way.

While the average starting wage of $16 per hour might not sound like much, this does not include benefits, bonuses and other perks of being employed at the hotel. The hotel also offers tuition reimbursements, language classes and grant assistance. Salaried workers, of course, earn more.

Brooks told the story of an immigrant who started working at the hotel, who could not speak English. He started working as a dishwasher; subsequently, he studied English and was promoted to a busboy and later a server. Eventually he completed a bachelor’s degree in hospitality and was offered a job at hospitality management level.

Right now the hotel is looking for three security officers, a hostess or host ,and a server; however, there will be many more job opportunities as soon as summertime arrives. This is when things start happening on the lower and upper terraces and at the Alley Bar, and the hotel will have vacancies for servers, hostesses and food runners. Additional jobs for valets and security staff also open up.

A qualification in hotel management could be the start of a rewarding and lucrative career in this exciting field.

Cranberries – The Healthiest Part Of The Thanksgiving Feast

What is the healthiest part of the traditional Thanksgiving dinner?  Some people might think of the turkey, with health campaigns encouraging people to eat more poultry in place of red meat.  Others might think of the potatoes, which research in recent years has revealed to be full of useful nutrients.  Still others will plump straight for the green veg.  In fact it is the cranberries, once thought of simply as a garnish.  Thanks to a new review, they may be looming a little larger than usual on this year’s seasonal menus.

The review, compiled by academics at the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University, with the support of nutrition science and medical experts from around the world, has brought together disparate papers on the humble red berries to reveal some striking qualities.

“Hundreds of studies show that the bioactive compounds found in cranberries improve health,” says lead author Jeffrey Blumberg. “For example, the polyphenols found in cranberries have been shown to promote a healthy urinary tract and exert protective benefits for cardiovascular disease and other chronic conditions.”  The review also shows that cranberry consumption can prevent plaque formation in arteries and keep them from stiffening in old age, reducing the risk of heart attacks and strokes.  There is also some evidence that cranberry consumption can reduce the risk of stomach ulcers developing.

The key compounds in cranberries are A-type proanthocyanidins.  These prevent some bacteria and fatty molecules from latching on to cell walls, much as eating turmeric has been shown to protect against some viruses.  Most fruits contain B-type proanthocyanidins, which do not work in the same way.  Cranberries are also rich in vitamin C, manganese, fiber, antioxidants and salicylic acid, which has anti-inflammatory properties.

The healthiest way to eat cranberries is fresh.  Many people find them too sour and bitter in this form – adding sugar to the usual level does not make them any more sugary than most other fruits are to begin with – but cranberries can be used very effectively as a constituent part of savory dishes such as stews and meatballs, where the flavor is diffused, and they make an interesting alternative ingredient in pesto.

“While we look forward to more research to better understand how cranberries affect our wellbeing and longevity, we know that including cranberries and cranberry products in a healthy diet is a great way to increase fruit intake,” says Blumberg.

Discover the Appeal of Boston Cooking Schools

Within the United States, there are a handful of cities that stand out as true dining destinations. Boston is undoubtedly one of those cities, and it is bursting with restaurants serving up exotic fare, unique flavor combinations and authentic cuisine from every corner of the globe. It should come as no surprise, then, to learn that Boston culinary schools are among the best in the nation. Here are some of the perks of attending a cooking school in the capital of Massachusetts.

Excellent Fresh Seafood

If you love seafood, then attending chef schools in Boston is an obvious choice. The New England coast is home to some amazing fresh seafood that gets brought in from the sea daily, and prices are reasonable when it comes to buying it at local markets to cook at home. Of course, you can also fill up on your fair share of amazing cooked seafood at any one of the restaurants that offers up local favorites like clam chowder and lobster rolls. Whether you like your shrimp fried and breaded or your cod baked whole with garlic and ginger, you will be able to find some truly amazing options in the city of Boston.

Tourism Economy and Countless Job Opportunities

When aspiring culinary professionals start looking at the culinary schools they want to attend, it is important to think about life after graduation. In many instances, you will find work within a 100-mile radius of where you go to school. It makes sense to attend Boston cooking schools if you are interested in finding work at a restaurant, bakery or catering company in New England. Since Boston has a lot of tourism, there is a high demand for culinary professionals to work at the restaurants, spas and hotels in the region.

Thriving Food Truck Scene

One of the biggest trends in the culinary world is food trucks, and Boston has definitely caught on in a major way. On any given day, you can hunt down all of your favorite food trucks throughout the city of Boston. You might find a Korean Taco truck in Chinatown selling $3 lunch offerings, or you might discover a gourmet Popsicle stand selling adult flavors like mojito and chocolate espresso. Aside from being a dream for a gourmet foodie on a budget, the option of opening a food truck is a big draw for culinary students who want to follow their own rules and experiment in the kitchen.

Incredible Nightlife and Late-Night Dining

Anyone in the hospitality business should understand that there is no such thing as a nine to five job for a chef. You might work late hours, split shifts or simply have a nontraditional schedule. Therefore, it is important to live somewhere that has a late-night dining scene and a number of bars, clubs and lounges open late. Thankfully, Boston has all of the above.

Boston culinary arts schools are rated as some of the best in the country, and they are incredibly appealing to aspiring chefs who love fresh seafood and diverse culinary offerings.