Hospitality Jobs in Contract Catering:

Contract Caterers, also known as Event Caterers are companies that supply a food service to other companies who are looking to entertain. This could be at a specially selected venue or on their own premises. These could be anything from a school event, a wedding, entertaining important clients or a fund-raising day – the list truly is endless.

A catering company will provide table settings, etc and sometimes even a complete theme for the venue plus of course the food & drink for the event - the obvious aim is to satisfy the paying client on all levels but really the food is the focal point. Food is usually prepared off-site and then it will be tweeted/finished off at the venue, for example cream to be added to desserts and possibly some food being reheated. The food can range from a cold buffet to a full on 7 course tasting ‘a la carte’ menu to a very high standard.

There can be lots of staff working at each event, sometimes a hundred or more, depending on the size and number of people attending it. The contract catering staff (not including chefs) are not normally responsible for preparing the food but there mainly to ensure that the venue has been set up properly, as the food will provide a wonderful experience but a themed venue with specially selected colours will also add great appeal and occasion to any event.

These types of contract catering packages are usually sold on a ‘per person’ basis making it easier to add in costings for any additional people that may be added the list at a later date. However a price might be given for the event as a whole if, due to restrictions on the number of seating available or restrictions on fire and lighting licenses, only a maximum number of guests are going to be allowed at the function or venue.

Contract catering can be a very profitable business, if it is done properly. An event serving a thousand guests in an evening at a £40 per head price definitely results in a high turnover business. The food has to be produced with a decent margin, as staff wages will take up a large propeortion of the profit.

With regards to a career in Contact Catering, it can take you anywhere from places like Downing Street through to working for Royalty, where the highest possible standards are demanded.

View current Catering Staff Vacancies & Events Management Positions