Catering assistants prepare food, stock supplies, and clean work areas. They typically work alongside caterers at events such as conferences, galas, and weddings. Positions are typically offered both full- and part-time, and it is common for catering assistants to work early mornings, late nights, and on weekends. Catering assistants work with owners and offer support to chefs and servers. Working within a team, catering assistants have strong communication skills. Those who are well-suited to this position enjoy working with others and are excellent multitaskers.

Catering Assistant Duties and Responsibilities
While a catering assistant’s day-to-day duties and responsibilities are determined by where they work, there are many core tasks associated with the role, such as:

•Assist in Food Preparation
Catering assistants help prepare food in the kitchen. They carry out basic food preparation tasks such as washing and peeling produce, making sauces and dressings, and slicing and cutting meat. When necessary, catering assistants handle machinery.

•Schedule Catering Orders
Catering assistants maintain the schedule for catering orders. Keeping track of the schedule, they communicate with clients and ensure that availabilities are open for scheduled catering events.

•Set Up and Break Down Catering Events
At venues, catering assistants set up the event area. They position tables and chairs and ensure that utensils are prepared. They set up banners, tents, and other relevant items in off-site catering events.

•Stock Supplies, Shop for Events, Load and Unload
Maintaining inventory, catering assistants ensure there is no shortage of supplies. When supplies and ingredients run out, catering assistants order more. When deliveries come in, catering assistants unload the supplies and organize the stock room.

•Handle Bill Inquiries
Catering assistants deal with billing for clients. They accept deposits when new orders come in, and they discuss the price of catering services with customers.

Catering Assistant Skills and Qualifications
Working in a fast-paced environment, catering assistants assist in many processes for catered events. Organized and efficient, they frequently multitask and create schedules. In addition to having prior experience working with food, catering assistants possess the following skills and qualifications:

Physical dexterity – having to stand for long periods of time, they also lift, pull, carry, and push items; bending, kneeling, and stooping are necessary for some functions of this position

Hygiene – working with food, catering assistants pay attention to hygiene; cleaning up, they follow procedures for proper sanitation; they wash their hands and maintain a presentable appearance when preparing or serving food

Customer service skills – maintaining a friendly and personable attitude, catering assistants answer customer questions and respond to complaints appropriately

Teamwork skills – working as part of a team, catering assistants communicate effectively with other staff members to ensure catering events run smoothly, and they help out chefs, servers, and caterers

Food handling experience – catering assistants work in the kitchen to help prepare food. Their duties include working with dry ingredients, washing and cutting produce, and preparing sauces and dressings following directions to ensure the accurate preparation of food. Adhering to health and safety guidelines, catering assistants follow recipes and directions to ensure the accurate preparation of food

Catering Assistant Education and Training
There are no minimum educational requirements to be a catering assistant. Depending on state guidelines, employers may require a food handler’s certificate. Most employers look for catering assistants with at least one year of experience working in the food industry; however, many employers are also willing to train those who have no experience at all. On-the-job-training typically includes walking through various company processes and learning about food recipes and menu items. Most employers also instruct catering assistants of company policies and rules.

Catering Assistant Salary and Outlook
The median annual salary for catering assistants is $20k – $30k based on events and scheduled breakfast luncheons or dinners. The lowest-earning ten percent in the field make less than $10k – $15k. Meanwhile, while working we encourage you to start your own business. You surely will have the opportunities for greatness!!

**Additional Positions Open**
Wages commensurate with experience and events. We require you to wear Black slacks or skirt, black collar and sleeve shirt, and black sneakers or dress shoes. High School College Students are all welcome to apply!

~Server Positions
~Cooks Positions
~Prep Positions
~SetUp Positions
~Breakdown Staff Positions