Catering Management is not about providing food to people and organizations. It involves individuals who love business and immerse themselves in the flavors of food they work with. Hygiene, speed of service, pricing, quality and customer delight are key prepositions. It covers purchasing materials, menu development, food preparation, storing and serving food, and sales and marketing. Catering Management programs equip students with necessary business skills to rise to higher positions like Catering Manager. Importantly, if you are inclined, you could start own catering business in future. The discipline teaches managing people, materials, money and customers. Learning is through theory, simulations and practice.

In terms of careers for those who have pursued Catering Management programs, there are several opportunities beginning from entry level jobs and transitioning to Catering Managers or even starting own businesses. Though the Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that employee turnover rates are higher in this industry, yet positions such as Catering Managers provide stability and a sense of job security. Importantly, salary levels are also higher at this level and range from $30,180 to $57,611 based on experience, region and employer as per statistics provided by salary.com [as of Nov., 2009].

The International Culinary Schools at the Art Institutes leads the group with a variety of programs in this discipline. Le Cordon Bleu Schools North America is a close second with adaptability and flexibility inbuilt into its host of programs. Not to be left far behind is Le Cordon Bleu International that designs and implements its programs in such a fashion that they are acknowledged world-wide. The French Culinary Institute is unique in it being a chef school that teaches programs through world class faculty. Completing the list nicely is the The Culinary Institute of America that focuses on setting standards of excellence in the field. Its programs are second to none.

There are many diverse career opportunities available today in Culinary. Catering is also one such career prospect that is gradually becoming popular among the youths. If you are planning to work as a caterer then there are few things that should be kept in mind before you leap into the culinary career pool.

A graduate degree with a proper education and training is a must. There are numerous cooking schools and professional culinary institutes are present that offer 2 to 4 year degree program in culinary arts. Although apart from the education and the training the student must have some experience and exceptional ability to execute and create food preparations.

Job Description

Any and every event requires some or the other sort of food preparations. Good food served is half job done because people socialize where food is served. A delicious meal served will publicize itself without much work. So when you are working as a caterer, it becomes your responsibility to provide the service with finesse while keeping the meal creative and scrumptious. The job can be strenuous if you have many people to serve, but this is where the efficiency of a successful caterer lies.

Catering Business

If you are planning to start your own catering business than you must realize that it is surely a tedious job and requires efficiency and a sense of responsibility towards your job. The kind of events you take on solely depends on your choice. For instance, catering industry supplies food services to social events, parties, wedding receptions, or even lunch-box drop offs. However, the main work of a caterer is to manage the staff, serving tables for buffet at conventions, weddings and banquets. The other general responsibilities constitute of lighting, setting and table decoration. Thus it is important for the caterer to not only keep the food scrumptious and healthy but also look into the ambience and decorations required for the event. The catering business rates are based on per person, which means every additional person adds on the total amount. In order to make a profit the budget should be set in the caterers mind.

Long working hours and less or no days offs on holidays are some of the additional necessities for the effective working of the trade.

There are many other things that you will need to think about before you start your own catering business. For example, you will need to figure out how to go about setting up your own professional kitchen that adheres to all the rules and regulations that have been set up for health and safety. You will also need to think about how to go about managing your finances and accounts, and also how you will go about marketing your services to the people. You will also have to spend time deciding on the kind of menu you will cater to (events or lunch box drop offs, for example) as each will require a different kind of set up. You will also have to prepare a variety of menus which will then be applicable for the kind of food preparations and services you are offering.
And you can learn how to do all of this professionally – gradually, over a period of time when you study for your degree in the culinary arts. This is because these courses are taught in such a way to make you independent and capable enough to handle such responsibilities.

Thus, a career as a caterer can be a rewarding and fulfilling enterprise for a business minded chef.