Working as a chief steward, whether on a luxury cruise liner or a merchant marine vessel, requires dedication and training. He or she will be prepared to supervise a ship’s stewards and stewardesses in this position after mastering all of the various positions within the kitchen and hospitality staff. Before moving into this position, you will typically need several years of experience.
In nearly every type of passenger ship on the ocean, a chief steward is an important crew member. The skills of a chief steward are required on everything from small yachts with a few guests to enormous ships carrying thousands of sailors. This person is in charge of all of the on-board cooking and cleaning crews, as well as some of the more complex tasks.
The key to becoming a chief steward, like many other jobs, is experience. He or she will not, in most cases, require any additional education or training. Joining the cooking crew of a ship is a great way to get started. While he or she will most likely start at the bottom of the kitchen ladder, perhaps as a dishwasher or line cook, this is an excellent place to begin learning all of the different positions.
Anyone aspiring to be a chief steward must be well-versed in all aspects of shipkeeping. He or she may need to start by emptying trash cans or mopping floors, but each new task will help him or her get closer to the top job. Clearly, someone must switch from the kitchen to the cleaning crew at some point. Speaking with the chief steward about your desires is a great way to get advice and guidance.
Most people only need to take one more step to become a chief steward after they’ve gained a thorough understanding of the kitchen and housekeeping world. Working as a steward’s assistant gives you valuable experience in employee management, duty delegation, communication, and bookkeeping. In order to be promoted to chief steward, this is the best way to gain a thorough understanding of the pressures of running a ship’s kitchen and cleaning services.
Many people believe that gaining the necessary experience to become a chief steward takes at least five years, if not more. A person can gain a thorough understanding of the job by performing a variety of kitchen and cleaning duties. A chief steward requires someone who enjoys management and has a strong work ethic.