| When you go to a wedding reception or party, you | | | | caterer must have business savvy to match their |
| expect to fill your plate with mouth-watering food. The | | | | culinary skills. |
| food provided by caterers can make or break a big | | | | Because this culinary career is so business-oriented, a |
| event. If you love creating great, stylish menus, then | | | | degree in business or restaurant management could |
| catering might be the culinary career for you. | | | | be a great asset. Food preparation experience is also |
| Catering 101 | | | | necessary, and some caterers open their own |
| Caterers are hired for a variety of events, including | | | | businesses after spending years in the restaurant |
| banquets, conventions, office luncheons, and openings. | | | | industry. Another option is to attend a culinary school, |
| They're responsible for designing, preparing, and | | | | where you'll receive both business and culinary training. |
| serving the menu, and emphasis is put on both | | | | Caterers must be certified by their local health |
| presentation and flavor. Caterers rely on word of | | | | departments to ensure sanitary cooking conditions and |
| mouth to keep their businesses going, so the best | | | | safe equipment. |
| caterers know you only get one shot at making a | | | | Catering is the fastest growing segment in the food |
| great impression. | | | | industry, and annual sales are between $6 and $8 |
| A Day in the Life of a Caterer | | | | billion. A caterer can expect to make between |
| The first order of business for a caterer is meeting | | | | $23,000 and $200,000 a year, although large |
| with clients to plan the event and work out all the | | | | companies that specialize in black tie events can make |
| necessary details. Good listening skills are essential to | | | | much more. |
| helping clients get what they want, and a caterer | | | | On the Job |
| suggests foods that go well together and makes the | | | | Catering an event gives you a chance to show your |
| event as stress-free as possible. | | | | style, and when Sean Driscoll started Glorious Food in |
| Once the menu is planned, the caterer is responsible | | | | 1971, his production background gave him an |
| for making sure the event runs smoothly. | | | | advantage. Driscoll was considering a career as a film |
| * Pricing. The caterer negotiates the budget, usually | | | | director, but he gave in to his culinary whims. |
| priced per-person. | | | | Driscoll's goal was to rival fine dining restaurants in |
| * Preparation. Depending on the location, the food is | | | | quality and service, and rather than creating a set |
| either prepared on site or transferred from the | | | | menu, he followed food trends and used seasonal |
| caterer's kitchen. | | | | items to design new and exciting dishes. He relied on |
| * Serving. The food can be served buffet style or at | | | | the knowledge that many struggling actors also have |
| dining tables. The caterer is responsible for setting up | | | | experience as waiters and went to casting directors |
| the dining area, and making sure the appearance of | | | | to recruit his wait staff. |
| the food and tables are appropriate for the event. | | | | Glorious Food now earns an estimated $12 million a |
| * Management. The caterer is responsible for | | | | year. The company is constantly in demand, and |
| managing the entire cooking and serving staff as they | | | | they've catered star-studded charity events and |
| wait tables and clean up when the event is over. | | | | parties for the New York City Ballet and the Museum |
| Getting the Job | | | | of Modern Art. |
| Over 70% of catering businesses are owner run, and | | | | Catering requires a challenging combination of business |
| a business plan is essential to getting started. The | | | | and culinary skills, but it can give you a chance to |
| start-up costs range from $1,000 to $80,000, and on | | | | design spectacular and memorable events. If you're |
| average, caterers have six full-time employees, with | | | | looking for a culinary career that allows your creativity |
| the rest of their staff working on a temporary basis. | | | | to shine, catering might be perfect for you. |
| Overseeing event operations can be complicated, so a | | | | |