Catering Job Description
What Are Catering Jobs Like?
Good food is the glue that holds a successful event together. Whether it's a company party, a wedding or an intimate dinner with friends, people tend to socialize around food. There's something about sharing a meal that brings people closer. It can add to the feeling of camaraderie, create a mood of celebration or smooth over a socially awkward situation.
Caterers play an important role in observing some of the most important occasions in people's lives. Working closely with event planners and private customers, caterers design the perfect menus for a variety of functions. Preparing great food and helping people mark the defining moments of their lives can make a catering job both rewarding and fulfilling.
Common Tasks in a Catering Job
A catering job can take many different forms. Some caterers may specialize in a certain kind of cuisine or in a certain kind of event. Others may like working with a range of foods in a wide array of circumstances. Some caterers work in a one-person operation while others work for large catering companies.
The duties you'll be responsible for will depend on your work environment. Although the distribution of work will vary depending on your company, a successful catering business requires the following kinds of tasks:
- Food preparation
- Food service
- Cleanup
- Sales and marketing
Skills Needed for a Catering Job
Culinary Ability and Creativity – Predictably, caterers need to be good cooks. They also need to be able to produce large quantities of good food. More than that, however, good caterers need to be able to think creatively about menus and collaborate with customers to put together the right set of food for the right event.
Social Skills – Customer service plays a big part in any catering business. You'll need to be able to attract customers and sell your product. You'll also need to listen to what customers need and deliver both the food and the service they want.
Business Savvy – Whether you're handling everyday administrative tasks or making decisions about how to market your business, you'll benefit from some basic business skills and training—especially if you run your own catering business. You'll need to be able to work with your customers to plan menus that fit their budget. You'll also need to be able to figure out your own budgets and pricing.
Is a Catering Job for You?
If you're looking for a job that will allow you to be your own boss, cook great food and work closely with people, a catering job may be a perfect fit for you. Your entrepreneurial spirit and passion for food will help you succeed in the catering business.