Event Catering Jobs Are Really Cookin'

by Kelly Richardson
Online Degrees Columnist

When music moguls and movie stars throw a party, they want it done big and they want it done right. And for the event catering professional, this means an opportunity to show off in grand style. This isn't a job to be taken lightly. Instead, it's a chance to rub elbows with the elite and make valuable professional contacts.

The corporate retreat is a chance for a company on the rise to reward its employees and build moral. For Philip Fryer, senior catering sales manager for Marriott, it's also a chance to take the catering job to a whole new level. He suggests at least a year of planning every delicate detail, right down to the dessert selections.

Event catering has become big business all across America. It's become more than just food. A catering job involves preparation and presentation of the little things that make the difference between a one-time event and repeat business.

Ingredients of a Major Catering Job

The Menu. Perhaps the most important aspect of the job, the catering menu involves finding out the palate of the host and ensuring that each portion of the meal is cooked to perfection.
Presentation. Event catering appeals to the eye as well as the appetite. This means ice sculptures, doilies, and the finest china. The meal that looks appetizing will most likely win over the hosts and their guests.
Those Little Extras. Doing the job right means giving the hosts more than they expect. This is where your personal creativity comes into play.

If you have a passion for food and flair, then event catering might be just your bag. The hours can be long and the challenges plenty. But when the smoke clears and the guests are satisfied, there's no better way to build a solid career. The word of your good work will get around quickly.

The Event Catering Career Profile

Training and Education. Event catering involves training in cooking, communications, human resources, and business principles.
Employment Outlook. With billions of dollars being spent in the hospitality industry every year, job opportunities will rise over the coming decade.
The Perks. You just can't beat a job that allows you to meet and greet some of the biggest names in your community.

Catering is much more than just a job. It's a chance for you to demonstrate your leadership and management skills to the fullest.

About the Author
Kelly Richardson covers the local education and technology scenes in major cities across the country. His articles appear in a variety of respected educational journals, periodicals, and e-zines.