How to Be Catering Server - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Jul 21, 2020 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

Professional Organizations

FAQ

Links

Eating healthy food is essential to maintain a healthy lifestyle. When catering services are provided, they ensure that food is cooked using the freshest ingredients and prepared in a healthy manner. The effects of using high-quality catering services are numerous.

People who eat fresh and healthy food have more energy, improved concentration, and better overall physical and mental health. catering services can help businesses save time and money by providing meals that can be easily served to groups of people. Furthermore, businesses can benefit from the professional presentation of their food, which can help create a positive atmosphere and foster better customer relationships.

Steps How to Become

Obtain a high school diploma or equivalent. Catering servers typically need to have a high school diploma or equivalent to be able to work in the industry.
Research catering companies in your area. Look for catering companies that are hiring or that offer internships and apprenticeships.
Apply to the catering companies that interest you. Include your resume and any relevant experience in your application.
Attend an interview if requested. Be prepared to answer questions about your experience, previous positions, and any customer service skills you may have.
Receive training from the catering company. This may include safety and sanitation protocols, food-handling procedures, and customer service training.
Practice working with customers. Many catering servers learn their trade by working with customers and getting feedback from more experienced servers.
Get certified in food safety and sanitation. This certification is often required by many catering companies and can help you stand out among other applicants.
Develop your customer service skills. Catering servers need to be able to communicate effectively with customers, take orders, and provide excellent service.
Practice multitasking. Catering servers often need to be able to handle multiple tasks at once, such as serving multiple customers at once or setting up a buffet line.
Network with other catering professionals. Building relationships with other professionals in the industry can help you get hired at new catering companies or find new job opportunities.

Having a reliable and efficient catering server is essential for any successful event or business. A well-trained and experienced server can ensure that orders are accurately taken, food is served quickly and efficiently, and the guests have an enjoyable experience. Proper communication between the server and the kitchen staff can help prevent errors in orders, and having a well-stocked supply of necessary items helps ensure that all orders can be completed without delay.

Furthermore, a good server will be knowledgable about the food being served and can provide guests with helpful recommendations. All of these factors combined can make for a smooth and successful catering experience.

You may want to check Cleaner, Catering, Corporate Catering Supervisor, and Hotel Catering Manager for alternative.

Job Description

Greet and welcome guests, explain menu items and specials, and take beverage and food orders.
Accurately enter orders into POS system and ensure orders are sent to the kitchen in a timely manner.
Promptly deliver food and beverages to guests and ensure presentation is accurate.
Check with guests to ensure that they are enjoying their meals and take action to correct any problems.
Process payments, provide change, and issue receipts.
Maintain cleanliness of dining area, including tables, chairs, floors, and service stations.
Assist in restocking supplies, cleaning and resetting tables as needed.
Provide excellent customer service by anticipating guest needs and responding promptly to requests.
Follow health and safety regulations when handling food, beverages, and equipment.
Ensure that all dishes are served at the correct temperature and in the correct manner.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Excellent customer service skills
Ability to multitask effectively
Knowledge of food safety and sanitation practices
Ability to take accurate orders
Effective communication skills
Strong organizational skills
Knowledge of menu items
Ability to work well in a team environment
Ability to lift heavy objects
Knowledge of food presentation techniques

Being a catering server requires a variety of skills in order to be successful. The most important skill is excellent customer service. When working as a catering server, it is essential to be friendly, professional, and attentive to the guests' needs.

By providing great customer service, the guests will be more likely to have a positive experience and leave feeling satisfied. In addition, catering servers must have strong organizational skills to ensure that tables are set up properly and food is served quickly and efficiently. They must also be able to effectively communicate with the kitchen staff about the menu items and any special requests from the guests.

Finally, servers must be able to handle any challenging situations that may arise, such as late arrivals or guest complaints, with grace and professionalism. All of these skills are essential for catering servers to have in order to ensure that their guests have a pleasant experience and come back for more.

Private Catering Chef, Barista, Catering, and Event Catering Manager are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have in catering?
How do you handle stressful situations while working in a catering environment?
Describe a time when you had to work with a difficult customer in catering.
How do you prioritize tasks as a catering server?
What do you do if you are running late for a catering event?
What steps do you take to ensure customer satisfaction?
Describe your experience with setting up and breaking down catering events.
How do you handle large groups of customers in a timely and efficient manner?
Describe a time when you had to go above and beyond to ensure customer satisfaction in a catering setting.
What methods do you use to keep track of orders and ensure accuracy?

Common Tools in Industry

Serving Utensils. Utensils such as plates, bowls, and serving trays used to serve food. (eg: platters for sharing)
Chafing Dishes. Dishes used to keep food warm. (eg: electric chafing dishes with fuel)
Beverage Dispensers. Machines used to dispense hot and cold beverages. (eg: coffee and tea dispensers)
Food Carriers. Cases used to transport food to offsite locations. (eg: insulated casserole carriers)
Tablecloths. Cloths used to cover tables at catering events. (eg: white linen tablecloths)
Display Risers. Risers used to create attractive food displays. (eg: tiered cupcake stands)
Cutlery. Knives, forks, and spoons used for eating food. (eg: heavy-duty stainless steel cutlery)
Glassware. Glasses of various styles used for drinks. (eg: stemmed wine glasses)
Serving Platters. Platters used to display and serve food. (eg: oval-shaped serving platters)
Ice Buckets. Buckets used to store and serve ice. (eg: stainless steel ice buckets with tongs)

Professional Organizations to Know

International Caterers Association (ICA)
National Association for Catering and Events (NACE)
Special Events Society (SES)
American Culinary Federation (ACF)
National Restaurant Association (NRA)
International Live Events Association (ILEA)
Meeting Professionals International (MPI)
American Society of Catering and Events (ASCE)
National Association of Catering Executives (NACE)
International Special Events Society (ISES)

We also have On-Site Catering Manager, Dietary Aide, Catering, and Catering Assistant jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Banquet. A large, formal meal, typically one in honor of a person or event.
Buffet. A style of service for meals where food is placed on a table for guests to serve themselves.
Appetizers. Small dishes served before the main course of a meal.
Plating. The art of arranging food attractively on the plate before serving to guests.
Table Setting. The arrangement of dishes, utensils, and other items on a dining table.
Menu. A list of dishes available at a restaurant or catered event.
Bar Service. The preparation and serving of alcoholic drinks at an event or venue.
Beverage Service. The preparation and serving of non-alcoholic drinks at an event or venue.
Food Safety. Practices and procedures for preventing contamination of food and food-borne illnesses.
Event Planning. The process of organizing and coordinating all aspects of an event.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the minimum number of staff required for a Catering Server role?

The minimum number of staff required for a Catering Server role is usually two people.

What type of duties does a Catering Server typically perform?

A Catering Server typically performs duties such as setting up tables and serving food to guests, cleaning up after guests, and restocking supplies.

What type of attire is appropriate for a Catering Server?

Appropriate attire for a Catering Server typically includes a white shirt, black pants, and a bow tie or necktie.

What type of skills are necessary for a Catering Server role?

Necessary skills for a Catering Server role include customer service skills, organizational skills, communication skills, and the ability to multitask.

What type of safety protocols should be followed by a Catering Server?

Safety protocols that should be followed by a Catering Server include wearing gloves when handling food, using sanitizing wipes to clean surfaces, and following food safety regulations.