International Online Master in Food and Beverage Management

Program Overview

The International Online Master in Food and Beverage Management equips students with managerial skills for the global food and beverage industry. The program emphasizes expertise in international team management, financial management, and the creation of deluxe brands. It incorporates real-world experiences through business practice labs, a Tuscany bootcamp, and a capstone project, preparing students for a wide range of career opportunities in the food and beverage sector.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The International Online Master in Food and Beverage Management aims to equip students with the managerial and communication skills needed to thrive in the global food and beverage market. The program focuses on developing expertise in areas such as international team management, project management, financial management, process and supply techniques within the food and beverage context, and the creation of deluxe brands in the fine food, wine, and beverage sectors. It emphasizes utilizing new technologies and advanced marketing techniques for product and company promotion, while also fostering a socially responsible mindset for sustainable business operations and managing luxury fine dining experiences. The program's learning outcomes include mastering key concepts in food and beverage management (covering industry trends, marketing, finance, and sustainability), applying knowledge to real-world scenarios, enhancing critical thinking and problem-solving skills, refining communication and digital skills, and demonstrating autonomy and teamwork abilities. The program is built around four pillars: real link with companies, internationality, professional impact, and higher purpose (CSR and sustainable business approaches).

Outline:

The International Online Master in Food and Beverage Management is structured into three main modules, each focusing on a specific aspect of the industry:

Module 1: Managerial Core (10% of the program):

This introductory module provides foundational knowledge in:

• Managerial Economics:
Essentials of entrepreneurship and business planning.
• Management Accounting for Decision Making:
Financial aspects of business decisions, including cost management, budgeting, CVP analysis, and investment appraisal techniques.
• Business Strategy:
Understanding long-term company direction, strategic business units.
• Financial Statement Analysis:
Understanding financial statements for decision-making.
• Project & Operations Management:
Project management, data analysis, problem-solving.

Module 2: Focusing and Specializing (35% of the program):

This module delves deeper into specific areas:

• Global Food, Wine, and Beverage Industry:
Overview of the global industry, consumer behavior, strategic behavior, entrepreneurship in food management (case studies), health and safety, leveraging "Made in Italy" excellence, service standards and luxury guest experience management.
• Food Management:
Strategies and positioning for luxury start-up restaurant formats, designing innovative food offerings, menu engineering, restaurant and kitchen layouts, culinary management, food risk management, supplier selection, and food cost control.
• Software Technologies in F&B:
Introduction to technology in F&B operations, digital tools for customer acquisition, data analysis for decision-making, performance measurement, revenue management, customer experience, and personalization.
• Future Trends and Innovations in F&B:
Advancements in food and wine processing technologies, new technologies in production and service, innovations in allergen-free food, ghost restaurants and dark kitchens, food in fashion retail, and building ethical and responsible organizations.

Electives (10% of the program):

Students can choose from electives across seven main areas of interest: Innovation & Growth, AI4 Business, Tech & Digitalization, Industry Business Excellence, International Business, Global Electives with RBS international partner Business Schools, and Introduction to preparation for professional certifications.

Business in Action (15% of the program):

This section includes:

• Business Practice Lab:
Hands-on lessons and tasks with managers from Consorzio Vini Chianti Colli Fiorentini, including wine tasting, menu engineering, and restaurant ranking simulations.
• Tuscany Bootcamp:
A week-long immersive experience in Italian gastronomy and luxury hospitality, including winery visits and tastings. The program uses a combination of synchronous and asynchronous activities for learning and assessment.

Teaching:

The teaching methodology adheres to EFMD standards and is student-centered, emphasizing learning by doing. It utilizes interactive lectures, case study analyses, exercises, discussions, teamwork, video conferences, business analysis, and student presentations. The online methodology includes live, interactive lectures, discussion forums, chats, emails, breakout sessions, whiteboards, and audio/video sharing. The program also incorporates a self-paced element for pre-master courses. The faculty includes international university professors, trainers, and business managers from diverse fields. Specific faculty members are named and their backgrounds are described.

Careers:

The program aims to prepare students for roles such as Food & Wine Manager, Brand Manager, Restaurant Manager, Food & Beverage Service Supervisor, Catering Manager, Marketing and Communication Manager, Director of F&B Operations, F&B Consultant, Entrepreneur in the F&B industry, and Banqueting Manager. The program boasts a +26% salary growth for students, with over 70% finding new jobs within six months of completion and over 50% before completion. Examples of companies where graduates work include Zuma, RoccoForte, and Volognano.

Other:

The program includes partnerships with various companies and organizations, allowing students to participate in food and wine fairs (Made in Italy: Sol & Agrifood, Vinitaly, TUTTOFOOD, Taste Firenze, Euro Chocolate, Milano Wine Week, Merano Wine Festival, Festival del Giornalismo Alimentare Torino, and others). The program also offers several bootcamps in various locations (Silicon Valley, Paris, Barcelona, Rome, Tuscany, Lagos, Qatar, London, China, Porto, Dublin, and a Grand Tour of Italy). The Corporate Advisory Board (CAB) plays a key role in the quality assurance process and program updates. Student testimonials are provided, highlighting positive experiences and career outcomes.