Thursday, December 13, 2012

RSA Online: Important Information For Aspiring Suppliers And Servers Of Alcohol

The hospitality industry is a fun and exciting field that also provides numerous opportunities for employment. However, just like with any job, there are certain obligations that workers in this industry must uphold, and one of the most important is the responsible distribution and serving of alcohol-containing beverages. Each country has its own rules with regard to alcohol service, workers in this field of business must acquire a Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) certification from a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) duly approved and accredited by the authorities.

For those who are thinking of acquiring an RSA certificate, there are basically three ways to get the necessary training: the first is by face-to-face instruction with accredited training institutions; the second is by correspondence through Open training and Education Network (OTEN); and the last is through online courses. RSA Online is a popular alternative because it is convenient for most workers and it may be less costly than face-to-face training. For individuals who are planning on taking an RSA course online, here are a few important points that you must know first:

Individuals required to have RSA certification. As mentioned earlier, everyone who wishes to work in the hospitality industry, particularly those is establishments licensed to distribute alcohol, must acquire an RSA certificate. Besides the servers and waiting staff, this group also includes managers; staff involved in the sale of alcohol, such as promotional staff; club directors and volunteers with liquor service responsibilities; and security officers who are responsible for controlling crowds.

Coverage of the course. The online course covers the following topics: laws and regulations concerning alcohol consumption and distribution, responsible preparation and service of drinks, the server/supplier's responsibilities, how to recognise alcohol intoxication, and also how to refuse alcohol service.

States and territories that accept RSA certification from an online course. Currently, Queensland, West Australia, Northern Territory and South Australia are the only states in Australia that accept RSA certification obtained through online courses. New South Wales previously did not accept certification from online courses; however, the Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing (OLGR) in NSW has recently started a one-year trial of online RSA courses. As such, RSA Sydney training organisations can provide online certification training granted they are approved by the state. Authorities in Tasmania and the Australian Capital Territory do accept certifications acquired online; however, trainees must check first whether their course provider has been approved by these states' governing bodies. Victoria authorities do not accept RSA certifications from online courses, and as such, RSA in Melbourne schools can only offer face-to-face training.

Battery Operated Candles for Your Restaurant - Setting the Right Ambiance

If you own your own restaurant or are thinking of opening your own eating establishment, then you know that the setting or the atmosphere of that restaurant is extremely important. There are many who consider the setting or the ambiance just as important as the hospitality and service offered at your eating establishment, so you will want to make sure you do what you can to create the perfect ambiance for your guests.
There are a number of ways that you can do this, and one of the most old fashioned yet proven solutions to creating a great atmosphere in virtually any restaurant setting is to use candlelight. Candlelight has long been a way to create a warm, inviting and romantic mood in restaurants and although it is popular, using candles does often come with some drawbacks. Many times when restaurants decide to invest in candles they find that this can be a much more costly venture than they ever imagined. It will take a couple of candles per table per night to keep candlelight going as most candles burn down quickly. Over time this can lead to a lot of money. Also your wait staff will need to be in charge of making sure the candles are always lit and that there is always a fresh candle in place; which can be a big hassle in terms of wasting time.
Additionally, many eateries are finding that while romantic candlelight can often be a serious fire hazard. That beautiful candle you have on the table may seem beautiful but if you have guests who are careless or guests with kids, the candle can be very dangerous. This is why more and more restaurants are turning to battery operated candles. These candles are easy to use and can be instantly placed on the table and left alone for hours. Also they are much more affordable as once you buy battery operated candles you don't have to worry about replacing them night after night. There are many of these candles that are actually rechargeable as well meaning you don't even have to buy new batteries.
Finally there is no need to worry about safety hazards as although these candles give off a soft romantic glow, there is no fire involved meaning no need to worry about your safety or the safety of your guests. With battery operated candles more and more eating establishments are finding that there is an easy and more affordable way to get that beautiful and inviting ambiance they have always wanted. All you need to do is find the right size and style of battery operated candles for your establishment.