A caterer prepares, cooks, and presents food remotely, often for events. Read on to learn more about the skills, training, and licensing needed to become a caterer.
Career Overview
Caterers provide food service for functions like weddings, conferences, parties, and fund-raisers. Some caterers offer mobile catering services, which are operated out of vehicles or carts. Many professional caterers may work for a restaurant or private company, while others are self-employed.
It is a caterer's job to meet with clients, establish a menu, cook, present, and serve food and drinks at an event. Caterers often charge clients on a per-person basis. In addition to preparing the food, some full-service caterers also supply lighting and table setting to clients at an extra cost.
<h3 id="section---ImportantFactsAboutTheCateringProfession">Important Facts About The Catering Profession</h3><p></p><table border="1"><tr><td>Median Salary (2022)</td><td>$39,226 (<i>for caterers</i>)*</td></tr>
<tr><td>Job Outlook (2021-2031) </td><td>15% growth (<i>for all chefs and head cooks</i>)**</td></tr>
<tr><td>Entry-Level Education</td><td> High school diploma or GED</td></tr>
<tr><td>On-the-job Training</td><td> Mentorship working with an experienced chef, apprenticeship programs sponsored by culinary institutes, industry associations and trade unions</td></tr>
</table><p><i>Sources: *Payscale.com and **U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics</i>
</p><h3 id="section---DutiesAndResponsibilities">Duties and Responsibilities</h3><p>Some caterers work full-time while others cater only part-time on weekends and evenings. Caterers often spend long hours on their feet and face pressure to meet deadlines. Caterers can work from a home kitchen or a facility that they own or rent. Sometimes a caterer needs to hire additional staff for production, service, and cleanup.
</p><p>Aside from being able to make large amounts of client-specified food, a caterer must run and market their business. A caterer is responsible for:
</p><ul><li>Meeting with clients, developing and suggesting menus, and ordering supplies
</li><li>Preparing, cooking, and serving food
</li><li>Understanding and complying with safe food-handling practices
</li><li>Establishing prices and cost per portion served
</li><li>Drawing up contracts
</li><li>Marketing the company and keeping business records
</li></ul><h3 id="section---LicensingAndTraining">Licensing and Training</h3><p>Caterers may choose to obtain training through a degree program in the culinary arts. These degree programs include banquet and catering courses. State laws often require caterers to obtain a business license and meet food service requirements. Caterers typically must apply for a license from a health department or other state regulatory agency. Such departments inspect catering businesses, issue licenses, and conduct routine business inspections.</p>
