Specialist for gastronomy (REFA)

Tasks, training and solutions for staff shortages

German gastronomy is under pressure: Skills shortagehigh fluctuation and more and more training positions remain unfilled. Restaurants, hotels and catering businesses are particularly affected - in other words, the classic field of employment for the Specialist for gastronomy, formerly REFA (restaurant specialist).

???? How we Supporting catering businesses in their search for traineesread here: Find trainees

In this article you will find out:

• What a catering specialist does
• How the training works
• Why international trainees are a viable solution for the future

???? Job description: What does a catering specialist do?

Catering specialists take care of the Well-being of the guestscoordinate service processes and are the link between kitchen, bar and guest.

Typical tasks:

• Welcoming, advising and serving guests
• Serving food and drinks
• Cashiering and accounting
• Preparation of events and buffets
• Insights into the kitchen, warehouse and merchandise management

Places of work: Restaurants, hotels, canteens, caterers or system catering

➡ More about our Services for the hotel & catering industry here: For companies

???? Training: How to become a catering specialist (REFA)

Training as a catering specialist takes 2 years (dual system). It is ideal for career starters or international applicants with an intermediate school-leaving certificate.

Training content:

• Service processes and guest care
• Food and drink knowledge
• Hygiene, storage and purchasing
• Communication and complaint management

➡ Motivated trainees can extend their two-year training by a further year and graduate as a restaurant specialist.

???? Information about the Language preparation before entry can be found here:
???? Language courses for trainees

???? International trainees as a solution to staff shortages

Many companies in Germany report: The search for suitable trainees in the catering industry is often unsuccessful. At the same time, there are young people around the world who are motivated to start a recognized apprenticeship in Germany - with the prospect of being taken on.

Roj Auf - Apprentice and skilled worker placement service brings these two sides together:

✅ Candidates with a genuine interest in the profession
✅ Preparation for German B1 in your home country
✅ Visa & travel organization by us
✅ Support with accommodation, integration & internship

????‍???? Advantages for training companies in the gastronomy & hotel industry

✔️ Filling open training positions
✔️ Predictability & low fluctuation
✔️ High motivation and willingness to learn
✔️ Relief with visa & authorities
✔️ Sustainable solution to the skills shortage

Many of our partners - from family-run hotels to system catering - report on positive experiences with international trainees. Applicants appreciate the training in Germany and often show above-average commitment.

???? Case study: Successful integration of international catering specialists

In 2024, a medium-sized hotel in Rhineland-Palatinate filled two training positions for catering specialists with female candidates from Vietnam.
Result:

• High reliability
• Good language skills (B1, B2 to C1)
• Positive feedback from guests
• Willingness to be taken on after training

???? Request suitable trainees now

???? +49 6341 2666 748
???? in**@ro*****.en
???? www.roj-auf.de

???? Or book a free consultation appointment directly:
➡ Make an appointment

???? Conclusion: Securing skilled workers for the gastronomy sector - thinking internationally

The profession of "catering specialist" offers young people an attractive entry into the hotel and catering industry - also from abroad. For companies, working with an experienced recruitment agency such as Roj Up a way of securing staff in the long term and promoting cultural diversity at the same time.