You'll be responsible for supplying food and drink to corporate and commercial events and weddings and parties, etc, from cooking to serving.
Who can I work for?
A huge number of caterers are self-employed as many catering ops are run as private businesses. These are usually local concerns.
Where and when can I work?
You will generally be based in a large, busy kitchen. Be prepared to travel to various events and venues where functions are being held – whether at an outdoor garden party or indoor conference at a banqueting hall. People don't set their eating patterns around office hours, so be prepared to work a lot of evenings and weekends.
What can I earn?
Your bank manager should cater for you depositing between £25,000-£50,000 a year into your account – or even more! The reason your incomings could be so variable is this: catering firms make money on a per-event basis, and so depends on the scale, budget and number of events. Adding value such as personalized cakes, seating plans, decoration and flowers can all be add-ons in your final invoice.
What are the benefits?
You'll meet a lot of interesting party people, enjoy the benefits of a close-knit team and purr with satisfaction when a job goes to plan and you're (hopefully!) showered with compliments from your clients/guests.
Are there chances of promotion?
Most catering managers are self-employed, but the nature of your job may progress – such as moving onwards and upwards to bigger and better events.
What will I be responsible for?
+ Preparing menus
+ You'll be in charge of food and drink – preparing and serving it
+ Jollying along proceeding. You'll be making or breaking the party in some cases – with the quality of service you'll offer
+ Organising waiting staff
+ Building a client base and reputation through marketing and word of mouth
+ A wide range of serving ideas. One minute you may serving up chicken in a basket at a social club, the next minute delivering champagne and canapés at a multinational marquee ball.
+ Overseeing timetables and budgets
+ Arranging seating plans and ensuring everything – food, eating areas and staff – looks good
What qualifications do I need?
Most caterers will go to catering college to study a relevant City and Guilds certificate (NVQ or other) such as hospitality or catering. Or you could undertake a cookery diploma or masters course at a private school, which could prove expensive and less catering-focused.
Do I need any experience?
This is greatly sought after. So work experience or shadowing a catering manager would be a great bonus. The more experience and variety of cooking you can get, the better.
What attributes are needed?
An ability to stand the heat (or get out of the kitchen!) Kitchens are usually cramped, hot and pressurized places – so claustrophobia is a real no-no. Real people skills and an ability to meet deadlines. Your events will invariably be very special occasions – weddings, birthdays, leaving do's – you are key to the guest of honour and their guests having a great time. You'll have your head screwed on when it comes to staff issues, accounts, creativity and working as a team. You'll be as organised as a personal organiser. Presentation is everything. So appearance of yourself and your staff as worth as the food is paramount.