Application

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to evaluate a range of beverages and their compatibility with different food items and cuisines, provide advice to customers on their selection, and continuously extend personal product knowledge to enhance customer service. Beverages can include wine, beer, spirits and liqueurs.
The unit applies to hospitality organisations that serve food and beverage, including hotels, restaurants, wineries, fine food outlets and clubs. Advice on food and beverage matching might also be provided by wholesalers to hospitality outlets and by retail liquor outlets to retail customers.
The unit applies to frontline sales and operational personnel who operate with some level of independence and under limited supervision to provide advice to others about the matching of beverages to food items and cuisines. This includes beverage sales consultants, bar specialists, sommeliers, and other senior bar and food and beverage attendants.
The sale and service of alcohol is subject to the provisions of Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) law in each state and territory of Australia.
The skills in this unit must be applied in accordance with Commonwealth and State/Territory legislation, Australian/New Zealand standards and industry codes of practice.
No occupational licensing, certification or specific legislative requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

What You'll Learn

Assessment Requirements

Performance Evidence

Evidence of the ability to complete tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit in the context of the job role, and:
• discuss the characteristics of each of the major food types listed in the knowledge evidence and their compatibility with different beverages with at least three different customers
• explain to the above customers how the following features affect compatible food and beverage matches:
• aroma
• taste or flavour
• temperature
• texture
• cookery method
• provide current, accurate and relevant advice to each of the above customers on their selection to meet different taste and price preferences
• maintain and continuously extend personal knowledge of the major food and beverage trends listed in the knowledge evidence on at least one occasion to enhance workplace activities.

Knowledge Evidence

Demonstrated knowledge required to complete the tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit:
• major food types, their characteristics and how those characteristics affect compatibility with beverages:
• appetisers
• cheeses
• fruits and vegetables
• meat, fish and seafood
• salads
• sauces and accompaniments
• soups
• sweets and desserts
• the following major methods of cookery and their impact in regard to food and beverage matching:
• baking
• boiling
• braising
• deep-frying
• grilling
• pan-frying
• poaching
• roasting
• steaming
• stewing
• stir-frying
• beverage production techniques and their impact on food and beverage matching:
• bottling or packaging processes
• brewing practice
• chemical components
• fermentation processes
• maturation processes
• variations in raw products
• compatibility of the beers, spirits and liqueurs with various food items and cuisines
• compatibility of Australian and imported wines with major food items and cuisines
• overview of the chemistry of primary food and beverage components
• different ways that alcohol is used in cooking and the impact on food items
• traditional and contemporary food and beverage matches across above cuisines, food types and beverage styles
• current and emerging trends in food and beverage matching in Australia and internationally:
• contemporary eating and drinking habits
• cultural and ethnic influences
• developments in particular countries or cuisines
• economic trends
• health and fitness issues
• major events and festivals
• media influence
• seasonal and popular influences
• organisational activities for which knowledge of major food types is required:
• conducting product tastings
• providing product advice and selling food and beverage to customers
• selecting or assisting with selection of products from suppliers
• writing or providing input into food and beverage menus or beverage lists
• business considerations in the provision of information on food and beverage matching:
• current stock
• profitability requirements
• responsible service of alcohol
• stock availability
• supplier arrangements
• formal and informal research methods to extend and update knowledge
• factors to consider in achieving a balance between food and beverages on a menu
• primary components of Australian Dietary Guidelines including for children, adolescents and older Australians.

Assessment Conditions

Skills must be demonstrated in an operational restaurant or food and beverage outlet. This can be:
• an industry workplace; or
• a simulated industry environment set up for the purposes of assessment.
Assessment must ensure access to:
• Australian Dietary Guidelines
• organisational specifications:
• current food and beverage product information
• information databases and computerised information sources
• food and beverage menus
• kitchen staff with whom the individual can interact and an industry-realistic ratio of service staff to customers. These can be:
• kitchen staff and customers in an industry workplace during the assessment process; or
• individuals who participate in role plays or simulated activities, set up for the purpose of assessment, in a simulated industry environment operated within a training organisation.
Assessors must satisfy the Standards for Registered Training Organisations’ requirements for assessors and have worked in industry for at least three years where they have applied the skills and knowledge of this unit of competency.

Foundation Skills

• {'skill': 'Reading skills to:', 'description': 'comprehend detailed product information, promotional material and reviews about cuisines and beverages.'}
• {'skill': 'Writing skills to:', 'description': 'summarise notes and record information in basic documents, information sheets and files.'}
• {'skill': 'Oral communication skills to:', 'description': 'interact effectively with diverse customers to:listen to customer preferencesdiscuss and debate different ideas and opinions using language appropriate to customers’ knowledgeprovide advice about food and beverage matching.; listen to customer preferences; discuss and debate different ideas and opinions using language appropriate to customers’ knowledge; provide advice about food and beverage matching.'}
• {'skill': 'Learning skills to:', 'description': 'review own knowledge of food and beverage compatibility and participate in activities that continuously update it.'}
• {'skill': 'Problem-solving skills to:', 'description': 'adjust advice to take account of any customer budget constraints.'}
• {'skill': 'Teamwork skills to:', 'description': 'share current knowledge and new information with colleagues.'}
• {'skill': 'Self-management skills to:', 'description': 'take responsibility for sourcing and updating current and emerging product information.'}
• {'skill': 'Technology skills to:', 'description': 'research information on food and beverages and current trends.'}

Prerequisite Units

• SITHFAB021

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