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Caterer Job Description: Top Duties and Requirements

A Caterer provides food service for large-scale events such as weddings, funerals, or parties. The primary responsibilities of a Caterer include sourcing and meeting with new customers, preparing all the food menus, and making sure events run smoothly.

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Caterer duties and responsibilities

Some of the duties and responsibilities required to excel in the role may include:

  • Interviewing, hiring, and training new staff members
  • Sourcing new customers through a variety of marketing initiatives
  • Ensuring that strict health and safety protocols are followed throughout the event
  • Establishing pricing for menu items and services required for events
  • Arranging the delivery of food items
  • Cooking, preparing and serving dishes during events
  • Overseeing and arranging clean-up crew staffing
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Caterer Job Description Examples:

What does a Caterer do?

The role of a Caterer is to provide excellent customer service by supplying events with food and drinks. A Caterer meets with clients who are hosting events to learn about their preferences and to create customized menus for the event. Prior to the event, a Caterer sources and buys all the food and beverages required, and they also hire and train staff including Waitstaff, Bartenders and Cleaners. Caterers also make sure that invoices are paid in full and on time by customers.

Caterer skills and qualifications

A successful Caterer will have a variety of prerequisite skills and qualifications required for the job, including: 

  • Ability to work in fast-paced environments
  • Excellent conflict management resolution and problem-solving skills
  • Ability to provide feedback for all catering staff members
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills both oral and written
  • Outstanding relationship management skills and emotional intelligence
  • Ability to work collaboratively and effectively with team members at all levels
  • Ability to supervise and expedite both on-site and off-site events
  • Knowledge of performance evaluation procedures

Caterer experience requirements

Caterers generally need previous experience working in the hospitality industry. Candidates with over three years’ experience are well-versed in food and beverage knowledge, customer service, and are comfortable working in fast-paced environments. Previous cooking experience is an asset, but previous experience working as a caterer is preferable.

Caterer training and education requirements

When reviewing resumes for Caterers, you may want to look for candidates with a high school diploma, GED or higher certification. While some on-the-job training is necessary, it’s preferable for applicants to have formal cooking or baking experience. Candidates with a college diploma from accredited institutions, like George Brown College’s Chef School in Toronto, are well-qualified. Candidates may also need a valid driver’s licence to deliver catering orders to clients.

Caterer salary expectations

According to Indeed Salaries, the average pay for a Caterer in Canada is $16.77 per hour. Wages can increase depending on experience, location, or the company that is hiring.

Job description samples for similar positions

If a Caterer is not what you are looking for, some other related job descriptions include:

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Caterer job description FAQs

What is the difference between a Caterer and a Food Runner?

Caterers in different industries will have different responsibilities. There are three main types of caterers: Mobile Caterers, Hotel or Restaurant Caterers, and Private Caterers. Mobile Caterers offer on-the-go services. They bring packaged food items or meals to businesses and construction sites. A Hotel or Restaurant Caterer provides high-quality hotel and restaurant dining at a client’s chosen location. They work with customers to prepare menus and decorate rooms as needed. They usually cater small-scale events to provide a high-end dining experience. Vendors or clients contract a Private Caterer as needed. A Private Caterer usually works for clients hosting birthday parties, weddings, funerals, anniversaries or business events. They create menu items, prepare food, and clean up after the event.

Do Caterers have different responsibilities in different industries?

The best way to make a Caterer job description stand out is to include the expected salary. A job description should also include the primary duties of the role and the type of events the Caterer can expect to service. Additionally, it’ll include any additional benefits such as car allowances, gas allowances, or discounts.

Job Description Examples

Need help writing a job description for a specific role? Use these job description examples to create your next great job posting. Or if you’re ready to hire, post your job on Indeed.

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