Like many careers, catering takes a combination of training, hard work and carefully awarded skills to succeed. While having a chef has a lot in common, caterers face many additional challenges. Caterers have to handle business matters such as accounting, marketing, and customer relations, in addition to food quality. Many times, a successful party is known for the food it is served. Therefore, you should take the time and effort to select the catering service that will support your event. Online directories such as Culinary Training have a wide variety of courses that are specifically tailored for people entering this highly competitive field. Finding a way to stand out, and integrate sound business lovers with inspired culinary vision, is a big part of the challenge. But after this, a successful catering career is ahead.

Cooking

At its most basic level, catering is all about. No matter how beautifully the venue is decorated or how carefully the setting is arranged, if the food is terrible, customers will not return. You need enough cooking experience to make recipe replacements, plan menus, and safely reheat and transport large amounts of food.

Food security

A good caterer and his staff should follow the most food safety laws in their particular state. The Food and Drug Administration is in charge of food safety regulations throughout the country, and FoodSafety.gov allows you to find your state agency. Further training in this area is given to many culinary institutes and local colleges.

Customer service

Caterers work with clients to design menus. It is necessary to be polite, tactful and diplomatic, as you may need to convince the client to change an ingredient or replace a dish. Good communication and people skills are also important for preparing a client repertoire and completing a successful program. A satisfied customer is the best recommendation.

Flexibility and creativity

Recipes may need to be adjusted to deal with food allergies, and cooking methods may have to change to suit religious dietary needs or personal preferences. An imaginative and adaptable person will be able to prevail in these situations, and in the process instill confidence in their customers.

Ability to work under pressure

This is one of the main factors when selecting a caterer. Only a skilled catering company can handle pressure during times of emergency and high demand. A positive attitude towards crisis management is also a good sign of a good service.

Leadership

A caterer has to manage the staff of cooks, servers, cleaners, and dishwashers, while ensuring that their team is aware of their schedules, place settings, serving customs and food safety regulations. It may also be necessary to give direction and advice to customers.

Inspiration

Caterers must be enthusiastic and active to promote themselves and get into business. During the busiest time of the year, a caterer can work long hours, seven days a week, which demands endurance. It is also important for caterers to motivate one’s employees and keep themselves motivated when business slows down.

Financial Planning

Fluctuating work is part of the job. Often busy periods, such as weekends and holidays, must be balanced with the time of year when the business is only in moves. Being able to plan financially and weather downturns is especially important for a caterer.

Business Administration

More than just cooking, catering service should be a profitable business. Administrative tasks in the catering service range from pricing services, accounting, taxes, staff management, ordering food, and organizing schedules and budgets.

Marketing

Your food may be tasty, but the phone will not ring until people know about you. It is important to focus on your business and in catering, a good network of contacts is essential. You have to liaise with the florist, venue organizer, event planner and many other services it takes to pull up a big event, but it also serves as your network of referrals.

Attention to detail

A caterer may also be in charge of some decorations, table arrangements and food presentation. Setting up, running and cleaning the dining room are all covered under the task of a caterer. Here you can impress your clients and all their guests – who are all potential customers.