SOP Sample for MS in Food Business Management in USA

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

Hailing from Rajasthan State in India, which is the epitome of luxury in India, I have a firsthand experience of best practices in hospitality; be it bakeries, hotels, restaurants or cafes. Having done my studies in the accountancy field, somehow I never felt interested in the bookkeeping of companies. I finally found my calling when I started working at [COMPANY_NAME]. Working at this bakery since last six years has been an extremely enriching and rewarding experience for me, as I have made over 1000 cakes, pastries, cookies and various other bakery products. Working here was a tremendous learning experience for me as it took me to numerous food festivals and pop-up exhibitions, where customer feedback helped me develop new flavours and enhance my techniques and baking skills with complicated dishes like "Tres Leches Cake" and "Soufflés". I understood the importance of quality management, timely deliveries and customer satisfaction. Owning up my own chain of bakery stores across the country has been one of my longest cherished dreams. My main objective is to provide an elevated culinary experience to my future customers and I am confident that I can achieve that by pursuing a Masters in Culinary Art Management.

It was only while constantly working for 17-18 hours a day to keep up with the scheduled deliveries at the bakery, I realized how broad and vast this domain is. It has made me understand that to sustain in today's competitive world, it is mandatory for a professional in the hospitality sector to regularly update and upskill oneself. Being a baker, I want to further enhance my knowledge about the business end of things and look for growth opportunities in this industry. I want to sharpen my business acumen and gain a better understanding of the finances and operations of the business, which I believe the course at your prestigious university will be able to offer with its detailed modules. Subjects like "Culinary Innovation and Product Development" will help me get unique opportunity to gain an in-depth understanding of all the essential technical processes and theoretical models of commercial new product development. In addition, I will be learning healthier alternatives, considering consumer allergens and special diets e.g. vegan/vegetarian and free-from products, while "Managing Across Cultures" will help me examine the management styles, motivation techniques and leadership theories as well as any complexities and contradictions that may occur. Besides augmenting my international business outlook and understanding, the program will also nurture my leadership, communication, client servicing, problem solving, decision making and analytical and consumer behaviour skills.

In addition, the internship training offered in this program will help me gain a hands-on real world exposure towards the multi-cuisines served, their presentation skills, traditional practices, the cost-effectiveness of running the business and much more. However, the most interesting thing about pursuing this course is that I will get to meet students from different nationalities, speaking different languages. This will help me to learn new languages, imbibe their culture and avail access to multitude of different cuisines, which will be quite beneficial for me as a professional in the hospitality industry.

When I decided to pursue my higher studies from abroad, I considered couple of countries before finalizing US. My decision to choose US was based upon many factors. The universities in the US are reputed for their quality education and its degrees hold lot of value. In addition, the course curriculum in these universities is quite structured and updated every year to match the current market conditions. Even the faculties have immense industrial experience. Studying under such faculties is going to be very good experience for me as I will become aware about the real world situations. In addition, the education system in US supports close interaction between student and lecturers and gives freedom to combine different subjects into one course of study. Apart from this, US's diverse culture will give me an opportunity to know about varied cultures and cuisines giving me an opportunity to explore further in my field.

Looking to pursue my course in various universities in the US, I found that the program at your prestigious university was an ideal course for me as it has a good mix of business and industry modules. The university is reputed for its quality education and the teaching staff is recognized for its teaching methods. The program at your university is designed to provide students with the knowledge of the latest trends in the industry, gaining inputs from professionals having immense experience of their craft. This will make me floor ready and find better business prospects. The university believes in staying relevant to the current market trends, offering Work Integrated Learnings (WIL), including internships, research projects and dissertation to students. It has strong industrial collaborations with organizations in and around the campus. This work-integrated program will help me to gain a competitive edge in the job market. Undergoing the internship will help me apply the knowledge and skills gained in the classroom to the real world, making me industry ready. The university with its student diversity and alumni is the perfect place to understand about various cultures and industry experience, which is essential for running businesses in the future.

Successful completion of my program at your prestigious university will enable me to find employment in an array of settings such as hotels, cruise ships, industrial kitchens, resorts, spas, restaurants, and catering companies as initially I would like to gain some work experience. Indian tourism and hospitality industry has developed as one of the key drivers of the economic growth among other service sectors in India. According to an Indian Brand Equity Foundation report, Indian hospitality industry generates about $195 Billion in revenue every year and is the 8th largest contributor to India's GDP. Worldwide, India is well-known as a tourist destination and is famous for its rich culture, historical places and diverse heritage. Indian Government has realised the potential in the tourism industry and therefore has taken several measures to make India a global hub for tourism. With the tremendous development of the Indian hospitality industry in the past few years, there is a huge demand for professionals in this field in India. The salary packages offered to professionals with international education and experience is extremely rewarding. Initially, I would like to gain some work experience by working at the luxury hotels of India. However, my ultimate dream is to start a chain of bakery stores pan India, as Indians are food lovers and are crazy for exploring different cuisines. A degree in Food & Business Management will help me overlook the various departments of my business venture with confidence and I will enjoy a smooth running of my business.

I am aware that your university sets high standards and expects the same from students. I am confident that with my sincerity and dedication, I will be able to meet the high expectations of your university, and would be gratified if you consider my candidature positively for admission. I am certain that my study at your university will be a rewarding experience and the MSc in Food Business Management will provide me a wider outlook, confidence and practical experience that will be useful while realizing my dream.

Thanks & Regards [NAME]