Catering on Resume

Should You List Catering on Resume

Including 'catering' on your resume can be valuable if you have experience in this field, particularly for jobs within the hospitality industry, events management, or corporate settings. However, it's essential to understand that regional differences and specific job requirements may influence its relevance. For instance, in the US, a focus on transferable skills that demonstrate adaptability and problem-solving abilities is more common than in some other countries.

In an international context, especially where catering might be a more significant aspect of the workforce, listing 'catering' could be crucial for your application. For example, in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) or Qatar, having catering experience can increase your chances of landing a position in the booming hospitality sector.

Why to List Catering on Resume

• Demonstrating Organizational Skills: Catering requires meticulous planning and multitasking, which are highly valued transferable skills across various industries.
• Showcasing Attention to Detail: In catering, small details can make a big difference in customer satisfaction. Showing this attention to detail on your resume can impress potential employers.
• Highlighting Leadership Qualities: Supervising staff during events and ensuring smooth operations demonstrates leadership skills.
• Proving Adaptability: Catering often involves adapting to unforeseen circumstances, showcasing your ability to handle pressure and think on your feet.

Where to List Catering on Resume

Skills Section:

Mention 'Catering' under the skills section along with other relevant abilities such as event management, food safety, and inventory control.

Work Experience Section:

List any permanent or temporary positions you've held in catering services or events management, detailing your responsibilities and achievements for each role.

Examples of How to List Catering on Resume

Example 1 - Skills Section:

• Catering and Event Management (5+ years)
• Food Safety Certification
• Inventory Control
• Customer Service Excellence

Example 2 - Work Experience Section:

Catering Manager, XYZ Events Company, City, State/Country (Month, Year - Present)

• Coordinated catering services for events with up to 100 guests
• Developed and implemented menu plans based on client preferences and dietary requirements
• Managed a team of staff during event set-up, service, and breakdown

What to Avoid While Listing Catering on Resume

• Vagueness: Be specific about your responsibilities and accomplishments within the catering field.
• Omitting Relevant Skills: Don't forget to include transferable skills that you've gained from your catering experience, such as organizational skills, time management, and problem-solving abilities.
• Focusing on Negatives: Instead of listing challenges encountered during your catering career, focus on how you overcame these obstacles to ensure event success.
• Ignoring Regional Differences: Tailor your resume to the job market in the region where you're applying. Highlight the skills that are particularly valuable in that area.

How to List Budget Management on Resume

Listing budget management on a resume can be a valuable skill to highlight, especially when applying for roles in the catering industry. Here are some best practices for including this subcategory:

• Quantify Your Achievements - Instead of just stating that you managed budgets, provide specific numbers or percentages to show your impact. For example, "Reduced food costs by 10% through strategic inventory management and supplier negotiations."

• Highlight Relevant Experience - Make it clear how your budget management experience is applicable to the catering industry. If you've managed a restaurant's budget, emphasize the similarities with catering, such as purchasing and food costs.

• Showcase Problem-Solving Skills - Budget management often involves solving complex financial problems. Highlight instances where your problem-solving skills led to successful cost reductions or improved efficiency.

• Demonstrate Flexibility - Catering can be unpredictable, so showing that you can adapt to changing budget constraints is crucial. Use examples where you've had to adjust budgets on the fly due to unexpected events.

• Emphasize Financial Acumen - If you have any certifications or training in finance, such as a CPA or MBA, be sure to mention them to demonstrate your financial expertise.

Example 1: Budget Management on Catering Resume

Managed food and labor budgets for a catering company serving up to 500 guests per event.

• Reduced overall costs by 12% through strategic vendor negotiations and efficient inventory management.
• Successfully handled unexpected changes in budget constraints, such as last-minute guest increases or menu alterations.
• Collaborated with the operations team to ensure all events were completed within budget while maintaining high-quality food and service standards.

Example 2: Budget Management in Catering Context

Implemented budget management strategies for a large event catering company, overseeing a portfolio of 10+ events per month.

• Improved financial forecasting accuracy by 25%, enabling more effective resource allocation and cost control.
• Negotiated favorable terms with suppliers, saving the company an average of $5,000 per event on food costs alone.
• Streamlined processes to reduce labor costs while maintaining high customer satisfaction ratings, contributing to a 15% increase in repeat business over two years.

How to List Staff Coordination on a Resume (with a focus on Catering)

Best Practices for Listing Staff Coordination

• Highlight Relevant Experience: Emphasize your experience in catering events specifically, as this is crucial when applying for staff coordinator positions within the catering industry. For instance: "Coordinated and managed staff during high-profile corporate events, ensuring seamless execution of culinary and service standards."

• Quantify Your Achievements: Whenever possible, provide numbers or statistics to support your claims. This could be the number of staff members you coordinated, the size of events you handled, or improvements in efficiency you helped achieve: "Managed a team of up to 30 catering staff during large-scale events, resulting in a 15% increase in operational efficiency."

• Use Action Verbs: Start each bullet point with a strong action verb that describes what you did. This helps create an energetic and dynamic resume: "Orchestrated efficient communication between kitchen, service, and front-of-house staff during catering events, ensuring smooth event flow."

• Showcase Problem-Solving Skills: Highlight instances where you overcame challenges or made improvements in your staff coordination role: "Identified bottlenecks in the event execution process and implemented solutions to streamline workflow and reduce delays during catering events."

• Emphasize Soft Skills: In the staff coordination role, soft skills like leadership, communication, and organization are essential. Make sure to weave these throughout your bullet points: "Developed and maintained positive relationships with team members, fostering a collaborative work environment during catering events."

Example 1: Staff Coordination on Catering Resume

Coordinated catering staff for upscale corporate events

• Managed teams of up to 30 staff members, ensuring effective execution of culinary and service standards.
• Streamlined communication between kitchen, service, and front-of-house staff, resulting in a 15% increase in operational efficiency.
• Developed and maintained positive relationships with team members, fostering a collaborative work environment.

Example 2: Staff Coordination in Catering Context

Coordinated staff during large-scale catering events

• Identified bottlenecks in the event execution process and implemented solutions to streamline workflow and reduce delays.
• Led a team of 20 staff members, ensuring smooth event flow and exceptional guest experiences.
• Monitored service quality and made on-the-spot adjustments when necessary to maintain high standards.

How to List Menu Planning & Design on Resume

Listing menu planning and design on a resume, particularly when it comes to catering, requires a strategic approach that highlights your skills and experiences effectively. Here are some best practices:

1. Highlight Relevant Experience

• Detail the types of events and menus you've planned: Mention the number of guests, dietary restrictions, and cuisines you've catered to. For instance, "Experience in planning menus for a variety of events, including corporate functions, weddings, and social gatherings, with guest counts ranging from 50 to 500."
• Emphasize your ability to create unique menus: Mention any innovative menu concepts or dishes you've designed, such as "Designed customized menus for clients, incorporating their preferences and dietary requirements, resulting in memorable dining experiences."

2. Showcase Your Design Skills

• Describe your visual presentation skills: Discuss how you've presented food to maximize aesthetics and appeal, such as "Developed visually appealing plate presentations that not only looked delicious but also enhanced the overall event theme."
• Mention any software proficiency: If you use design software for creating menus or visual representations, be sure to include this in your resume. For example, "Proficient in Adobe Creative Suite, particularly InDesign and Illustrator, for menu design and presentation."

3. Quantify Your Achievements

• Provide numbers when possible: Where applicable, include statistics that demonstrate the success of your menu planning and design efforts. For instance, "Reduced food waste by 20% through effective portion control and ingredient management during menu planning."
• Highlight any awards or recognitions: If you've received accolades for your menu designs or catering services, be sure to include them in your resume. This could be something like, "Awarded 'Best Caterer' by [event organizer or industry publication] in 2021."

4. Tailor Your Resume for Each Application

• Customize your resume for each job application: Adapt your menu planning and design section to align with the specific requirements of the catering position you're applying for. This shows that you understand the employer's needs and can tailor your skills accordingly.

Example 1: Menu Planning & Design on Catering Resume

Menu Planning & Design - Catering Specialist, XYZ Catering Services

• Planned menus for a diverse range of events, including weddings, corporate functions, and social gatherings, catering to up to 500 guests.
• Designed visually appealing plate presentations that were tailored to the event theme and client preferences.
• Incorporated dietary restrictions and special requests into menus, resulting in successful and memorable dining experiences.
• Utilized Adobe Creative Suite for menu design and presentation, ensuring a professional look and feel.
• Reduced food waste by 20% through effective portion control and ingredient management during menu planning.

Example 2: Menu Planning & Design in Catering Context

Menu Planning & Design - Event Coordinator, ABC Events

• Planned and executed menus for a variety of events, ensuring all dietary requirements were met.
• Designed visually appealing and thematic food displays, enhancing the overall event aesthetic.
• Collaborated with chefs to develop innovative menu concepts based on client preferences and cuisine requests.
• Utilized design software for creating menus, invoices, and other catering-related documents.
• Awarded 'Best Caterer' by WeddingWire in 2020 due to exceptional menu planning and execution.

How to List Kitchen Operations on a Resume (With Emphasis on Catering)

Best Practices:

• Highlight Relevant Skills: Mention your proficiency in various kitchen operations such as food preparation, cooking, and cleaning, with specific emphasis on catering. Explain how you can handle large-scale food production for events, ensuring quality, and adhering to dietary restrictions if necessary.

Example: "Proficient in a range of kitchen operations including food preparation, cooking, and cleaning. Demonstrated expertise in catering events, managing large-scale food production, and maintaining high standards for quality and presentation."

• Specify Equipment Knowledge: List any catering-specific equipment you are familiar with, such as mobile kitchens, chafing dishes, or buffet setups. This demonstrates your versatility in various cooking environments.

Example: "Experienced in operating catering-specific equipment such as mobile kitchens, chafing dishes, and buffet setups, ensuring seamless execution of events."

• Detail Health & Safety: Emphasize your understanding of food safety regulations and practices in a catering context. Discuss how you maintain cleanliness and prevent cross-contamination in the kitchen to ensure safe food handling.

Example: "Prioritized health and safety during catering events, adhering strictly to food safety regulations and implementing rigorous cleaning protocols to minimize contamination risks."

• Mention Customer Service: Highlight your ability to provide exceptional customer service, working collaboratively with clients and guests to accommodate their dietary needs or special requests during the event.

Example: "Delivered outstanding customer service by collaborating effectively with clients and guests, accommodating dietary restrictions, and ensuring a memorable dining experience."

• Demonstrate Adaptability: Showcase your ability to manage changing circumstances during events, such as schedule adjustments or equipment malfunctions, and how you maintain a positive attitude while doing so.

Example: "Adept at handling last-minute changes and unexpected challenges during catering events, demonstrating adaptability and maintaining professionalism under pressure."

Example 1: Kitchen Operations on Catering Resume

Position: Senior Catering Chef

• Managed a team of chefs to prepare and execute high-end catering events, focusing on food presentation, quality, and taste.
• Implemented thorough cleaning protocols to maintain a sanitary kitchen environment and ensure safe food handling.
• Collaborated with clients and guests to accommodate dietary needs and special requests during events.
• Operated various catering equipment, including mobile kitchens, chafing dishes, and buffet setups, ensuring seamless execution of events.
• Adhered strictly to food safety regulations and guidelines, maintaining high standards for quality and presentation.

Example 2: Kitchen Operations in Catering Context

Position: Event Catering Manager

• Led a team of kitchen staff during large-scale catering events, ensuring efficient food preparation and timely execution.
• Maintained cleanliness and adhered to strict food safety guidelines to ensure safe food handling.
• Collaborated with clients to accommodate dietary restrictions and special requests, providing exceptional customer service.
• Handled last-minute changes and unexpected challenges during events, demonstrating adaptability and maintaining a positive attitude under pressure.
• Operated catering equipment such as mobile kitchens and chafing dishes, ensuring smooth event execution.

How to List Event Management on Resume

Best Practices for Listing 'Event Management' in a Catering Context

• Highlight Relevant Experience: Emphasize your experience in catered events by listing the number of attendees, types of events, and specific roles you have fulfilled during these events. For instance, "Managed catering for corporate events with up to 200 attendees, ensuring smooth delivery and timely execution."

• Detail Organizational Skills: Demonstrate your ability to organize and coordinate various aspects of an event, including catering logistics. This could be expressed as, "Coordinated catering services for weddings, managing menu selections, dietary requirements, and delivery schedules."

• Mention Budget Management: If you have experience in budgeting for catered events, this is a valuable skill to highlight. For example, "Developed and maintained event budgets, ensuring cost-effective catering solutions while maintaining high-quality standards."

• Showcase Problem-Solving Skills: Describe situations where you had to overcome challenges related to catering, such as late deliveries or dietary restrictions, demonstrating your ability to adapt and find solutions quickly.

• Emphasize Communication Skills: As an event manager, you will often need to liaise with various stakeholders, including caterers. Highlight this by stating, "Frequently interacted with catering vendors to discuss menus, prices, and delivery schedules."

Example 1: Event Management on Catering Resume

Event Manager (January 2018 - Present) at XYZ Events & Catering

• Managed catering for corporate events with up to 200 attendees, ensuring smooth delivery and timely execution.
• Coordinated catering services for weddings, managing menu selections, dietary requirements, and delivery schedules.
• Developed and maintained event budgets, ensuring cost-effective catering solutions while maintaining high-quality standards.
• Overcame challenges such as late deliveries or dietary restrictions by adapting quickly and finding creative solutions.
• Frequently interacted with catering vendors to discuss menus, prices, and delivery schedules.

Example 2: Event Management in Catering Context

Event Coordinator (June 2019 - December 2020) at ABC Weddings & Events

• Organized and managed catering for weddings with up to 150 guests, ensuring all dietary requirements were met.
• Developed and maintained event budgets, prioritizing cost-effective solutions without compromising on quality.
• Coordinated closely with caterers to discuss menu selections, prices, and delivery schedules, ensuring a seamless event experience.
• Demonstrated adaptability by handling last-minute changes, such as caterer cancellations or sudden dietary restrictions.
• Regularly communicated with clients to address their concerns and ensure they were satisfied with the catering arrangements.