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A catering director plans and manages food services for events, coordinating with event planners and managing a team. They may work for corporations, non-profits, or run their own businesses. Selling catering services is a key part of the job.
A catering director is responsible for handling all tasks related to food services for various events. They usually manage a team to take care of all aspects of catering such as food preparation and cleanup. Many directors are employed by corporations, non-profit organizations, and government agencies. Some run their own businesses and work as independent contractors for special events. A director usually has a background and experience in the hospitality industry, and some may also have sales and marketing experience.
Planning meals for events and ensuring there is enough food for attendees is a catering director’s main job. Directors must be able to coordinate with department heads and event planners to plan the best possible menu for events. They also need to know how to cook to serve large crowds and how to organize staff to do the same. Directors often graduate from culinary schools where they learn these skills or major in hospitality at mainstream colleges and universities. They can also earn certificates from programs focused on people and project management skills.
Training and managing a team of vendors is an important aspect of a director’s job. In a corporate or other organization setting, caterers report to the Director of Catering for assignments, ask questions and receive feedback on a daily basis. An independent director does the same with independent contractors, but before and during the event. The director often has the power to hire and fire vendors, conduct job performance reviews, and provide the necessary resources to support the team’s success. It is also up to the director to develop strategies to improve the performance of the catering team and the overall catering experience.
Selling is part of the duties and responsibilities of a catering director. Working on selling catering services is usually the majority of what a director is supposed to do, even more so than planning the events. They must find and maintain accounts on behalf of the companies they work for. For example, a hotel catering director can organize tours for potential clients in order to sell them on the catering services available and let those potential clients know why the organization they work for is the best. Directors who are comfortable and experienced in selling to clients generally thrive and succeed in their careers.
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