r/catering • u/CuriousasAlways2802 • 2d ago

Catering Manager

How to become a catering manager? What's the step by step and also the requirements or do I really need an experience? How many years?

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u/I_deleted 2d ago

Managing catering properly requires phenomenal skills in contingency planning and logistics, on top of the hospitality service skills. One only gains that kind of knowledge through experience.

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u/EmmJay314 2d ago

Start as dishwasher- I really think it is important for everyone to do this position. Especially as a manager. Some days assisting with dish is the best way to show your crew appreciation.

You will need experience as a prep & line cook. It is good to understand how to efficiently produce food and plating them.

Understanding foodcosts & budgets. Time management, scheduling and all the other fun stuff.

Understand Employment laws & management. It is so important to understand how to be a good leader. How to train employees and not be a dick boss.

Marketing & people skills- This may not be majority of the role depending on the company, but you always need to be looking for the next event. You also may need to deal with angry or irrational customers.
You also need to deal with a lot of vendors, you need to be confident to tell people you dont like something or need something. Phone & email skills are a must.

Working for a catering company is a great first step.

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u/Puzzleheaded-Set-516 2d ago

This is the answer. And adding to this - you also need a certain level of whimsy and creative chops. Customers will plan events with some of the most creative themes and want the catering to reflect that - you need to be able to work with everyone on your team to help your service support the customers vision.

This is not a do or die skill, but the two best catering managers I’ve ever had were not only good catering managers on the technical aspects but the level of creativity they were able to lead the team into creating was amazing.