what is a steward?

As a steward, you will work in a restaurant, ship or event, assisting visitors or clients visiting the premises. For instance, you organise client programmes on a yacht and prepare their dinner arrangements. You also welcome clients when they are boarding and show them to their cabin rooms.

Essentially, you are the housekeeper of your employer's ship or restaurant. That means you need to ensure the cabins and hotel rooms are clean and clients receive the best services. As a steward, it is important to ensure the smooth functioning of the property under your care. In a large restaurant, you manage reservations and direct clients to their rooms. However, your role includes dining and kitchen operations in small hotels to ensure the guest receives the best service.

what is vital for success as a steward?

As a steward, since you are the host of the event or eatery, you need exceptional people skills to interact with various visitors. Being quick on your feet is also vital since you work in a busy environment. Sometimes, you juggle multiple requests and instruct employees on which guests to attend first and the cleanliness protocols. Problem-solving skills are also vital if guests become uncontrollable or you have to deal with complaints and diffuse tense situations with haste.

Would working as a steward suit your people skills and problem-solving ability? Then read on to find out what competencies and qualifications you need to thrive in a steward role.
 

steward jobs
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average salary of a steward

According to ONS, an entry-level steward earns an average of £17,000 per year or an hourly rate of £8. Experienced stewards with useful transferable skills earn over £29,000 per year or £14 per hour.

Depending on your employer, you have multiple opportunities to increase your earnings. For instance, stewards earn end-year bonuses and other benefits like a paid vacation. Stewards also receive tips from clients and happy customers, which boosts their salary.

how to increase the salary of a steward

The salary of a steward depends on the role and employer. For instance, working as a hotel steward pays more than a kitchen steward. The compensation package for kitchen stewards ranges from £15,000 to £25,000 per year. Besides, hotel stewards interact with visitors and are likely to receive tips compared to kitchen stewards working behind the scenes.

Fancy hotels and five-star establishments pay stewards more since they expect their guests to have a memorable experience. Hence, stewards have to work harder. Large restaurants also charge a higher service fee, which increases your earnings. You can also receive better tips from guests visiting the restaurant. If you have years of experience, your earnings should reflect your skills.
 

Female smiling and looking away
Female smiling and looking away
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types of stewards

As a steward, you can work in various sectors in the hospitality industry. Some common types of stewards include:

  • hotel steward: your job is to supervise and coordinate multiple activities in the hotel room. You welcome guests, find the seats and allocate a waiter to the table. You also coordinate activities related to food storage. For instance, you receive food supplies and store the items appropriately.
  • kitchen steward: a kitchen steward is responsible for the kitchen in a restaurant, hotel or eatery. That means you ensure the kitchen area is clean and sanitised. You also inspect kitchen equipment for cleanliness and organise them in an orderly manner. You also set the safety procedures and supervise food preparation and garbage disposal.
  • ship steward: a ship steward takes care of the visitors aboard the ship by ensuring the cabins are clean and well-maintained during their stay. Your job is to prepare meals for guests and provide any assistance they need.
  • event steward: you work with the organisers to ensure the event runs smoothly. You assist with administrative functions and help clients get what they need during the event.
     
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working as a steward

A steward helps people enjoy their experience in an event or restaurant. Here are the tasks to expect and the work environment of a steward.
 

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education and skills

Becoming a steward doesn't require any formal training or degree courses. However, you can find a college course in hospitality to improve your job prospects. For instance, a bachelor's degree in hotel management or hospitality management boosts your chances of moving up the ladder to the chief steward position.

Even with minimal academic qualifications, you can still become a steward if you have prior experience working in a restaurant or hotel environment. From training with minimal experience, you will move to an assistant steward position before becoming the chief steward.

skills and competencies

As a steward, you need hard and soft skills to succeed, including:

  • communication skills: communication is an important social skill for stewards. You have to maintain a friendly rapport with guests and direct them to their tables or rooms clearly and concisely. Interpersonal skills also help you listen to your customers' complaints and collaborate with other workers to provide the best dining experience.
  • problem-solving skills: as a steward, you need to be an expert in solving problems and handling situations that arise in a hotel. Problem-solving skills help you handle customer complaints and diffuse situations that could become volatile.
  • organisation skills: your job involves managing the reservation list and waitlist. Without a structured process, you will forget some of the tasks. Organisation skills help you plan your schedules.
     
smiling female looking away
smiling female looking away
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FAQs

FAQs about working as a steward

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