Caterer

Education required for this profession

Education and Training: Varies—on-the-job training; technical or trade school; two-year college degree in food service; four-year college degree in family and consumer science or restaurant management

Relevant Degree/Diploma/Certificate



Quick Facts

Catering involves much more than delivering and serving food. Caterers have to know how to plan menus and arrange food in an eye-pleasing way. They must establish good working relationships with a variety of customers and know how to market their services. Caterers also need to know how and where to order high-quality ingredients at the lowest possible cost. Some caterers prepare food in their own kitchens and deliver it to their customers. Others prepare food in the clients' kitchens. In either case a caterer must be a good manager, supervising the preparation activities and ensuring prompt and efficient service. Caterers often arrange to clean up after a party or after each meal in a cafeteria.

Salary

Earnings for caterers range from an annual starting salary of $22,800 to $200,000 for urban caterers with an established reputation. These figures represent the extreme highs and lows on the salary spectrum. A more realistic median salary range is $32,000 to $75,000 per year.

Featured Universities Offering Degrees for this Profession

A.T. Still University of Health Sciences	Abilene Christian University	American InterContinental University Online	American Sentinel University	Antonelli College

Online Universities Offering Degrees for this Profession

A A.T. Still University of Health Sciences Abilene Christian University American InterContinental University Online American Sentinel University Antonelli College Argosy University Online Ashford University B Baker College Online Bay Path College Bellevue University Benedictine University Boise State University Boston University Bowling Green State University Bryant & Stratton College Bush School of Government - Texas A&M University C California Coast University California InterContinental University California State University, Monterey Bay Capella University Chamberlain College of Nursing Chancellor University Clarion University of Pennsylvania Cleveland Institute of Electronics Colorado Technical University Online Columbia Southern University Concord Law School Concordia University Irvine Creighton University Cumberland University D Daniel Webster College DePaul University DeSales University DeVry University Dominican University Drexel University Online Duquesne University E Eastern Kentucky University eCornell Ellis University Everest College Phoenix Everest University Online Everglades University F Fielding Graduate University Florida Hospital College of Health Sciences Florida Tech University Online Fort Hays State University Full Sail University G Golden Gate University Gonzaga University Graceland University Grand Canyon University Gratz College H Harrison College Henley-Putnam University Herzing University Hodges University

I IIA College Independence University Indiana State University Indiana Tech International Academy of Design and Technology Iowa Central College Online Ivy Bridge College J Jacksonville University Jones International University K Kaplan University Keiser University Keller Graduate School of Management Kent State University L LA College Online Lehigh University Lesley University LeTourneau University Lewis University Liberty University Online Lincoln College Online Loyola University New Orleans M Malone University Marylhurst University McKinley College Minnesota School of Business Missouri University of Science and Technology Mountain State University N National American University New England College New England Culinary Institute New Jersey Institute of Technology / NJIT New York Medical College - School of Public Health Nova Southeastern University O Ohio University Oklahoma Wesleyan University P Post University Online S Strayer University Syracuse University T The Art Institute of Pittsburgh Online Division U UMassOnline University Alliance University of Phoenix W Walden University