Becoming a Professional Caterer: Why You Should Do Your Advanced Catering & Cooking Certificate

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If you are passionate about food and love to see people enjoy the culinary delights you create, then becoming a professional caterer could very well be your dream job.

A caterer is hired to provide food and beverages for special events and functions. This could range from preparing and delivering the food for an intimate dinner party, to a function of thousands. People hire caterers for everything from weddings to conferences, birthday parties and baby showers.

Caterers can also work at restaurants, cafes and canteens where their skills in organisation and operations can be put to good use. Becoming a qualified caterer means you will have a number of different career options you can possibly pursue, depending on what area within the catering industry you want to work.

Important skills that make for a good caterer

  • Exceptional organisation skills.
  • Excellent communication skills.
  • The ability to remain calm in stressful situations.
  • The ability to work well as part of a team.

The advantages of becoming a professional caterer

  • You can work flexible hours.
  • You can be your own boss if you choose to start your own catering business.
  • It’s fast paced and exciting.
  • If you love food, becoming a caterer is a wonderful career choice.

Some of the usual tasks undertaken by a caterer

  • Discuss the planning of an event menu with the chef.
  • Talk to clients about all catering arrangements.
  • Come up with exciting new menu ideas.
  • Oversee the provisions for everything from the crockery to the cutlery and kitchenware.
  • Supervise the storage and purchase of food items.
  • Keep all records of purchases and payments.
  • Make sure food and equipment is kept safe and secure.
  • Manage the rostering of staff and hire new staff when necessary.
  • Coordinate the staff working in the kitchen, bar and/or dining room.
  • Make sure all areas are kept clean and comply with all relevant health and safety regulations.
  • Liaise directly with customers if there are any complaints or concerns regarding food.

As a caterer you can either work for yourself by starting your own catering business, or you can work for an established catering company or business. What’s important to remember is that no matter what sort of role you are seeking, having the relevant education and experience is vital to your career success.

What you’ll learn by studying your Advanced Catering & Cooking Certificate

  • Important food preparation skills and ways in which to develop your current skills even further.
  • Sanitation and food safety standards.
  • The highest standard of food and beverage service.
  • The day to day management of a catering business or food outlet.
  • Food service and menu development.
  • Vital business principles that will help you start your very own catering business from the ground up. This includes everything from strategic planning to how to run a successful, profitable catering operation.
  • Delve deeper into the many different employment opportunities there are in the catering industry so you can find the right position for you.
  • Have access to teachers and tutors who are experienced and trained professionals, who have the knowledge and expertise to help you succeed.
  • Gain insight into how the catering industry works and what steps to take to ensure your catering business stands out from the crowd.
  • Advice and direction on work experience opportunities – in most cases, employees want applicants who have already had on the job training and experience. Your advanced certificate will assist with gaining access to training programs and employees who are looking for graduates to train up.
  • Find out what employers in the catering industry are really looking for in potential employees.

By furthering your studies you’ll learn all of the above and so much more. Most importantly it will equip you with everything you need to move forward with your exciting new career.

There are many different directions you can take once you’ve completed your Advanced Certificate. You may decide to specialise in a particular area, for example you might want to become a Hospital Food Service Manager. This involves the planning of menus with a dietitian for staff and patients, control the purchasing of all food, and overseeing the preparation and presentation of food for the patients and staff in the wards, as well as in the cafeterias with help from the assistant service managers or head chef.

If you choose to enter the catering industry without having your Advanced Certificate you will still have the opportunity to work in certain entry level positions, however many employers require their employees to have specific training and so it will therefore limit your prospects. A qualification from the International Career Institute will set you up with the skills and background knowledge you need in order to work your way up to your dream job in no time. Completing your Advanced Catering & Cooking Certificate is not only about making your resume more attractive to prospective employers, but it’s also about ensuring you have the knowledge, skills and experience to take on your next role with complete confidence.

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Gladys Mae

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Gladys Mae serves as the General Manager and Head of Student Services at the International Career Institute. Gladys holds a degree in Mass Communication - Broadcast Media from the University of San Jose-Recoletos. She joined ICI in 2010 and has over the past 12 years been instrumental in providing leadership and guidance to staff and students alike. Prior to joining ICI Gladys led a multifaceted career with key roles in the banking and business process outsourcing industries.