Caterer Job Description, Skills, and Salary
Get to know about the duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and skills requirements of a caterer. Feel free to use our caterer job description template to produce your own. We also provide you with information about the salary you can earn as a caterer.
Who is a Caterer?
The hospitality sector is part of the service industry which includes event planning, catering, lodging, travel, theme parks, and tourism. Hospitality also encompasses businesses and organizations such as bars, restaurants, hotels, tourism agencies, and travel agencies. From time memorial, the hospitality industry has been one of the most productive, enthralling, and prolific industries. As aforementioned, catering is one of the most sought and important forms of hospitality. We encounter and benefit from catering in our daily lives whether at home, school, work, park, or field.
Catering is defined as the business of producing and offering food service at a remote site or a cosmopolitan site such as a pub, cruise ship, aircraft, park, hospital, hotel, entertainment site, filming site, studio, or event venue. In addition, catering can be mobile, remote, or itinerant; food and other edibles can be served and provided during a wedding party, or directly from a vehicle, truck, or cart which is designed for the purpose. Most catering service providers are trained in or have excellent culinary skills, knowledge, and expertise. Therefore, a professional or individual that plans, organizes, and develops the food and beverage services of an organization or business is called a caterer.
In other words, a caterer is responsible and in charge of providing, preparing, and transporting food for customers especially in special events including conferences, workshops, seminars, weddings, large gatherings, and other celebrations. Caterers might also serve food and clean the area up afterward; they plan menus, set up the catering site, and provide utensils and other essential equipment. Generally, caterers are excellent communicators and possess vibrant interpersonal skills which enable them to build relationships with clients, co-caterers, and other professionals. Most caterers undergo culinary training in accredited institutions and normally pay attention to detail though some have natural catering or cooking abilities. In addition, a caterer enjoys working with people to create a variety of foods that are tasteful to eat and appealing to look at. They use and engage their creative sides to transform ingredients into delicacies using food arrangements, new recipes, and a menu. Sometimes, caterers prepare the different forms of dishes for an event at the same time; hence, they can multi-task when needed. Normally, customer satisfaction is paramount to a caterer; he or she makes sure all dishes are tasty, relaxing, and tranquil always. Importantly, a caterer abides by customers’ requests and ensures proper hygiene in the process.
Self-employment is often associated with most caterers while some prefer to work for an established catering agency or organization; others work professionally in restaurants. A caterer charges customers on a per-person basis and meets with them to develop a menu, cook, present, and serve food and beverages at the event. Also, a distinct group of caterers called full-service caterers supply and fix lighting and tables to clients at an extra cost. Mentorship is predominant among caterers; self-employed and entry-level caterers enroll as apprentices and receive guidance and mentorship from experienced and seasoned caterers. Relatively, some culinary institutes sponsor students and upcoming caterers on apprenticeship and mentorship. Flexibility at work is common among caterers; some work part-time while others cater full-time. Often, a caterer spends long hours on his or her feet and faces pressure to meet deadlines. As part of their role, caterers can think quickly, interact effectively with customers, and resolve any issues that abound while working. The efficient caterer provides outstanding dining services to customers; they travel with team members to reception centers, private residences, and business establishments to provide food and drinks to guests and customers. Similarly, a caterer might be required to create a specific ambiance or atmosphere for an event, banquet, family reunion, or convention.
Whilst meeting with the clients to discuss their preferences, needs, and expectations, a caterer determines how many courses the client wants, the type of foodservice needed (table service or buffet-style meals), the total budget, and the duration of the contract. Additionally, caterers coordinate client information, grocery shop for necessary ingredients and supplies, and satisfy clients either with a team of assistants or independently. Typically, a caterer participates in the recruitment or hiring of new caterers as well as on-the-job training and orientation of successful candidates. The ideal work environment of a caterer is the industrial kitchen setting or environment. The catering sub-sector has specific food handling and safety standards, regulations, and best practices; the caterer work within the confines of such standards to meet budget restrictions and financial targets. Caterers also use proper kitchen gear and ensure that transported and served food meets strict temperature standards. They routinely do the same kitchen tasks including assembling several single food items or making multiple batches of recipes. Furthermore, a caterer uses sharp knives, kitchen tools, and commercial kitchen equipment and might cook in an events space kitchen or outdoors which requires excellent adaptation skills.
Caterer Job Description
Below are the caterer job description examples you can use to develop your resume or write a caterer job description for your employee. Employers can also use it to sieve out job seekers when choosing candidates for interviews.
Sometimes, caterers work from a home kitchen or facility that they rent or own. Depending on the nature and size of the organization or business, a caterer may hire additional staff to coordinate production, clean-up, and service. Besides making large amounts or quantities of client-specified food, caterers often run and market their businesses and abilities. Although the primary duties of a caterer revolve around cooking and serving meals for different events, he or she performs other industry-based tasks and responsibilities as well. These include but are not restricted to;
- Prepare and serve food: Regardless of the employer or organization, a caterer is responsible for preparing and serving food. They arrange ingredients for recipes, cook on-site at an event, and serve food to guests at tableside or through a buffet system. In relation, the caterer ensures food is prepared according to specifications and food safety and sanitation standards.
- Market catering services and recipes: Sometimes, a caterer performs marketing duties. They market and promote the organization’s recipes and catering services. The catering field has target markets such as brides and grooms, event planners, and restaurants. The caterer advertises his or her services if self-employed and creates vendor relationships. They establish relationships with customers and cross-promotes between venues and catering-based professionals like photographers. They manage social media sites, create marketing brochures or newsletters, and attend expositions to connect with potential clients and professionals.
- Plan menu: An important duty of a caterer is menu planning. Usually, a caterer plans the menu using a set menu or a customizable menu approach. They devise the menu, craft unique recipes, and design plate presentations for a particular event. Crucially, menus are tailored to the caterers’ brand and catering style.
- Perform administrative tasks: A caterer also performs administrative duties within the catering agency. He or she obtains the proper licensing from the relevant bodies on behalf of the employer, gets the necessary permit, monitors account receivable and payable, handles taxes, and manages client records and paperwork.
- Make sure all menu items meet the expectation of the client through advanced tasting and practice runs.
- Transport food, tables, and other items needed for an event to ensure that all catering activities run smoothly and effectively.
- Finalize headcount and menu items before the event to prepare the team for the job ahead.
- Organize and source all ingredients needed for every item on the menu for an event.
- Manage assistant caterers, servers, and other staff to keep the flow in the kitchen.
- Assist with clean-up after an event to ensure that the venue is left clean and tidy.
- Establish prices and costs per portion served and draft contracts.
- Participate in new staff recruitment, training, and orientation.
- Coordinate and ensure catering staff retention.
- Visit sites before an event to assess the kitchen facilities and make necessary plans.
- Ensure the food remains fresh and is served at the appropriate temperature.
- Attend department and organizational meetings, seminars, and advanced training.
- Ensure proper use and rotation of perishable goods.
- Monitor the quality of the product and service provided.
- Maximize sales and meet profit and financial expectations.
Qualifications
A caterer handles many roles in different work locations and conditions. A talent or passion for cooking can turn into a lucrative career with the right qualifications. In contrast, passion without certain qualifications can hamper your career in catering. Thus, familiarizing yourself with the main qualifications can help you attract employers and launch a career as a caterer. Moreover, a caterers’ success depends on the education, certification, and training he or she received. Hence, a caterer must have the following sector-based qualifications;
Education: There is no established educational program for caterers; nonetheless, culinary education is essential for a caterer. Employers and catering companies rarely demand any formal education; however, candidates that passed through a culinary education program in a community, government, or private school are at an advantage. A diploma or associate degree in human resources, event planning, culinary arts, marketing, business administration, and other hospitality-related fields can suffice. Most of these programs offer catering and banquet courses. A bachelor’s degree in food service management is a bonus
Training and experience: Most caterers are self-taught and trained cooks who improve their culinary skills on the job. Experience as a line cook or a server in a restaurant can teach the aspiring caterer specific skills useful for catering. Most employers prefer caterers with relevant industry-based experience. Similarly, training can be enhanced through repetitive preparation of a single menu item or learning the proper etiquette for service at a sit-down banquet. Luckily, most employers and agencies provide on-the-job training for new caterers.
Certification and licensing: In most countries, a caterer is mandated to apply for a license from the health department or other health regulatory bodies. Before issuing the license and other permits, the health agency inspects the catering businesses and conducts routine business inspections afterward. Correspondingly, a caterer can earn voluntary certification to improve their skills and stand out among competitors. Examples of such certification include the following;
Servsafe food handler certification: This is issued by the Restaurant Association. Caterers must enroll and complete an online or instructor-led course and pass a certification test to obtain this food safety and handling certificate.
Certified professional in catering and events: This comprises eight core competencies including beverage management, food production, and contracts and agreements.
Essential Skills
Working in the hospitality industry as a caterer can involve shift work with long and unusual hours including evenings and weekends. Hence, a caterer should develop several skills such as;
Culinary and cooking skills or expertise: Arguably, this is the most important of all catering skills. The caterer should have extensive cooking and culinary knowledge and be able to execute the vision of the menu designer.
Customer service: Most caterers meet with clients to plan and outline the menu, agree to a schedule, and provide an estimate. They also respond to the customers’ complaints, questions, and concerns. These and more require excellent customer service skills.
Menu knowledge: A caterer should have an unrivaled knowledge of how to create a satisfying and well-balanced menu for taste and visual presentation. Excellent menu knowledge skills enable caterers to know what dishes go well together and the best methods of serving them.
Logistical knowledge: Events demand care and attention to several logistical details such as appointments, ordering supplies, planning the menu, cooking, transportation, and serving guests or clients. These require logistical knowledge and a good eye for detail to adapt to any logistical problems that arise.
Knowledge of safe food handling procedures: A caterer must adhere to strict food safety procedures when preparing and serving food. Also, they should rigidly follow the guidelines and specifications to avoid cross-contamination and illnesses. The knowledge of safe food handling procedures also covers proper temperature for food storage.
How to Become a Caterer
If you enjoy cooking and working in changing locations, becoming a caterer might be the right career for you. Therefore, follow these steps to become a caterer;
Take a food safety course to become a certified food handler. This is a requirement for employment in most catering agencies.
Practice and hone your cooking skills by taking culinary classes, developing recipes, and practicing knife skills.
Apply for an internship or apprenticeship in catering companies to learn from a mentor. Inquire with vocational or culinary schools to see if they can arrange a match for you.
Apply and obtain a health and safety license from relevant bodies. This may involve checks and inspections from health agencies.
Network and market yourself by having others taste your food or participating in cooking fairs and tradeshows.
Where to Work
A caterer can either work in-house for a company’s catering department or for a contract catering company that provides catering services for different clients. A caterer can also be self-employed. Other employers of caterers include;
- Cruise ships and hotel chains
- Prisons and retail outlets
- Large factories and businesses.
- Military and local authorities
- Youth hostels
- Tourist attractions centers.
- Restaurants, bars, and other hospitality centers
- Schools, colleges, and universities
Scale
A caterer’s salary varies according to the type and size of the catering organization, the services he or she provides, the job sector, and the region. In addition to the salary, caterers get extra benefits such as a company pension and share scheme, health insurance, and paid time off. Thus, a caterer earns an average of $13.75 hourly.
