It takes dedication and training to become a chief steward, whether on a luxury cruise liner or a merchant marine vessel. He or she will be prepared to oversee a ship’s stewards and stewardesses in this position by mastering all of the various positions within the kitchen and hospitality staff. Before moving into this position, you should have several years of experience.
In nearly every type of ocean passenger ship, a chief steward is an important crew member. The skills of a chief steward are required on all types of boats, from small yachts with a few guests to massive vessels 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 difficult tasks.
The key to becoming a chief steward, as with many other jobs, is experience. He or she will not, in most cases, require any additional training or education. Joining the cooking crew of a ship is an excellent way to get started. While he or she will most likely begin at the bottom of the food chain, perhaps as a dishwasher or line cook, this is an excellent place to begin learning all of the different kitchen positions.
Anyone who aspires to be a chief steward must be proficient in all aspects of a ship’s housekeeping. He or she may have to start with simple tasks like emptying trash cans or mopping floors, but each new task will bring him or her closer to the top job. Obviously, someone must switch from the kitchen to the cleaning crew or vice versa at some point. Speaking with the head steward about your goals 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 mastered the kitchen and housekeeping world. As a steward’s assistant, you will gain valuable experience in employee management, duty delegation, communication, and bookkeeping. In order to be promoted to a chief steward, this is the best way to gain a complete understanding of the pressures of running a ship’s kitchen and cleaning services.
Many people believe that becoming a chief steward takes at least five years, if not more, of experience. One can gain a thorough understanding of the job by performing a variety of kitchen and cleaning tasks. A chief steward can be anyone who enjoys management and has a strong work ethic.