Contract Catering Jobs:

Contract Caterers or sometimes known as Event Caterers are companies that supply a food service to a particular company who are looking to entertain. This could be at a specially selected venue or on their own premises. This could be from a school through to a wedding or entertaining important clients or a charity day - the list is endless.

The catering companies will provide a setting or sometimes a theme and also the food and drinks for the event. The aim is to satisfy the client on all levels but the food is the focal point here. The food is usually made off-site and may be tweeted and finished at the venue for example cream added to desserts and some food being reheated. The food provided can range from a cold buffet to a full on 7 course tasting 'a la carte' menu to a very high standard.

There may be a lot of people working on each event, sometimes a hundred or more, depending on the size and number of people to attend to. The contract catering staff (not including chefs) are usually not responsible for preparing the food but mainly ensure that the venue has been set up properly as food can provide a wonderful experience but the actual venue with a theme and the selected colours also add great appeal and occasion to any event.

Contract catering packages are usually sold on a 'per person' basis which makes it easier to add costing for any additional people that may be added the list at a later date. Sometimes, however, the price might be given for the event as a whole due to restrictions on the number of seating available and also restrictions on fire and lighting licenses where a maximum number of guests are allowed at any one function or venue.

If done properly, Contract catering can be a very profitable business where serving a thousand guests in an evening at a £40 per head price results on a high turnover business. Obviously though, food has to be produced at a decent margin as staff wages will consume a large part of any profit made. With regards to contract catering jobs, they can take you from Downing Street through to working for Royalty where the highest possible standards are expected.

A job in contract catering is a very good way to gain experience in banqueting and serving large amounts of food in one sitting. Contract catering jobs, especially for chefs, are a good way into working within a large brigade and being promoted up through the ranks in the kitchen.

View current Catering Staff Vacancies & Events Management Positions