Catering Job?? Please answer if you have ever worked at a catering business...

Question

I want to get a catering job in the Twin Cities area in Minnesota. I am 17 years old with a lot of cooking experience. I am currently attending college for Culinary Arts at a local technical college and I am on a culinary competition team with my school.

Do you think it would be hard to get a catering job? I have NO IDEA what they look for and I want to know if I would "qualify" for a job like this. (If you have ever worked in the catering business let me know what they look for and stuff. I really want a catering job for the expereince.)

Answer 1

Apply as a "sous chef" for the position if you want a cooking position.

Sous chef

The sous-chef de cuisine (under-chef of the kitchen) is the direct assistant of the executive chef and is second in command. They may be responsible for scheduling, and filling in when the executive chef is off-duty. The Sous Chef will also fill in for, or assist the chef de partie (line cooks) when needed. Smaller operations may not have a sous chef, while larger operations may have multiple

My son worked several positions at a company that did catering. What Chef Jennie was looking for was muscle when she hired him. Good looking muscle so he was very presentable when she put him to waiting tables, bartending, or serving the buffet line. She also wanted the muscle to load all the stuff into the vans and unload it. 50 banquet tables and that many chairs can get quite heavy by midnight! as can cases and cases of glass ware.

The dress code is pretty standard: black slacks or skirt, white shirt, black bow tie, black shoes. Optional is chef's coat and hat.

Answer 2

How to Become a Caterer:

Understand that cooking delicious food for large numbers of people is a skill that cannot be acquired overnight. Many caterers first attend cooking schools and/or restaurant management schools. They will be your future competition in a very competitive field.

You need to be determined. You need to be ready to work night and day to make it work. A caterer must always be marketing their service, looking for the next job. Plus, you have to command many different people - wait staff, cooks, drivers and cleaners.

You must be able to handle the pressure - when staff fail to show up, when the client is unreasonable, and when the food is ruined - you must be ready with a plan to save the day.

Expect to take courses dealing with health laws before the board of health will certify you. Such certification is mandatory.

Keep up-to-date about the field by subscribing to food and catering publications.

Become an employee? If so, apply for jobs in catering, hotels or the leisure industry. Or go to college, and get a qualification.

hope this helps.                 good luck and enjoy.

Answer 3

As long as you have a good attitude, strong ambition to succeed and a respected qualification - you will have no difficulty whatsoever finding a suitable position.

Go for it - it can be a wonderful career! It has served me well for the past 40 years!

Answer 4

really just start applying.  caterers, and banquet halls are looking for people like you.

Answer 5

They would be looking for someone with food prep experience. You must be organized and be pretty fast at what you do. I did a lot of catering in my life. It was a lot of fun, but hard work. The hours may be long, but think of the experience you will gain. Good luck!