A catering manager is responsible for designing and managing the catering department of a restaurant, event rental company, or food supply company. A person with an equal mix of food and hospitality education, work experience, and passion for a difficult job may be required to become a catering manager. Because the job description of a catering manager can change on a daily basis, the ability to adapt core catering management skills to new situations is often required.
One of the most important requirements for becoming a catering manager is education. Many catering professionals go to college or trade school to study hospitality, catering, or other related fields. A certificate in catering management can be obtained from a catering school or community college, and usually takes two years to complete. While a formal education is not required to work as a catering manager, it can assist a professional in entering the field quickly and with a good level of preparation.
Though a catering manager’s education in hospitality and food preparation is important, it’s also important to understand the business side of catering manager qualifications. Basic finance, accounting, staff management, and business theory classes can aid in the development of a catering manager who can be trusted with both the food and the payroll. Putting on customized, delicious, and seamless events is important for establishing a positive professional reputation, but having the training to ensure that events are profitable and legal will help a catering company stay in business.
Another important step in becoming a catering manager is to gain work experience. It is necessary to understand the business from the inside in order to be efficient and realistic about catering abilities. Working as a waiter, bartender, or prep chef for a catering company can be a great way to learn about the industry from the ground up, with plenty of opportunities to observe and learn from both successful and disastrous events. Working experience alone can sometimes lead to a position as a catering manager, though this can take several years.
A person’s ability to perform well in personal interactions, such as interviews, may be the final key to becoming a catering manager. Catering professionals must be able to attract customers, manage stress effectively, and listen attentively. Employers frequently look for personable qualities in candidates during interviews that will make customers feel safe, welcome, and enthusiastic about the food. Because a catering manager is often a public face of the company, dressing and acting professionally can also help a newly qualified manager land a great first job.