Caterer Careers Information
Caterers are food preparers who are hired to cook, arrange, and serve food at locations outside a restaurant setting. Most often their services will be secured for special events such as wedding receptions, business luncheons, and large parties.
Caterer Career & Degrees
- Lincoln Culinary Institute: Hartford
Virginia College: Mobile
Art Institutes: The Art Institute of Atlanta
Caterers’ specialized service allow party or event organizers the benefit of good food without the hassle of preparation, serving, clean-up, or the high costs associated with doing it themselves. Caterers may work for an event planning company, but they often are self-employed or restaurateurs who cater their food as part of their business.
Caterers begin their work by meeting with potential clients. In these meetings, they will discuss the event and find out what types of food and service are desired. Because of their experience, many caterers are able to make suggestions, especially when it comes to how much food must be prepared in order to feed X number of people.
Of course, the amount of money a client has to spend must also be considered when caterers formulate a plan for the event. Depending on the type and size of the event, caterers may work alone or in conjunction with event planners and/or others involved in the staging of the special occasion.
On the day of the event, caterers must spend time preparing the food as well as setting up their wares at the location; this may include dinner service at guest tables in addition to their own serving area trays and utensils. Depending on the agreement, the caterers and their staff may serve people in line buffet style or as they remain seated in restaurant fashion. After the meal, it is their job to clear the tables of food and clean dishes.
When not at an event, caterers must stay busy keeping payments, payroll, and taxes organized and advertising for new business.
Caterer Careers Path
Caterer careers do not require any special education beyond a high school diploma. However, degrees earned from vocational, 2 and 4- year universities, or culinary schools may be useful for learning about preparing food.
Beyond taking courses in food preparation, nutrition, menu planning, and sanitation, caterers might also benefit from taking business and/or marketing courses. Many caterers begin by working in the food industry or for other caterers in order to gain experience.
Caterer Careers: Compatible Personality Traits
Enjoys working with food, excellent communication skills, people person, works well with others, multi-tasker, fastidious in appearance and hygiene, polite, good under pressure, able to cope with changing plans and situations, willing to work odd hours.
Caterer Careers: Salary Expectations
As a type of special food service worker, caterers earn an average salary of $24,180 a year. However, many caterers are self-employed and so their income is dependent on the number and size of events they serve.
Beginning caterers may start by working in other food service areas or under an established caterer; with time and experience, they may start their own company and make more money.
Caterer Careers: Job Outlook
Of all food service workers, caterers should be able to expect some of the best job growth. Since many caterers sign long-term contracts with large institutions such as hospitals and/or sporting venues, they are able to keep a fairly steady income.
Because of the narrow margins associated with food sales, caterers should be prepared to weather poor economic periods when people may not spend as much on events. Caterers with a broad range of prices and services and who have a good reputation should have the best chance of finding steady work.
Caterer Associations and Resources
The American Culinary Federation
The International Association of Culinary ProfessionalsCulinary News
Whether you want to start a culinary career or you’re an experienced chef looking to learn more, you need to know the latest industry news. Our culinary news page is updated daily with headlines by sources across the web. Read more about Culinary Arts News
Slightly off the Footpath
Source: bls.gov/oco/ocos331.htm
