All About Catering
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment opportunities for caterers are expected to grow much faster than average. If you are interested in starting a career in the food service industry, catering might be a great choice. It offers flexible hours and lots of variety. Today there are many professional catering programs that can get you started in your new business.
What You Learn at Professional Catering Schools
Professional catering programs prepare you for the challenges you will face in your catering career. Some of the course material, such as nutrition, baking, and food preparation technique, is drawn from a traditional culinary arts program. But because caterers' job responsibilities are different from chefs', there are some courses that are unique to professional catering programs. For example, clients expect their caterers to arrange the food beautifully, so more emphasis is placed on presentation. Also, because the catered food is often not prepared at the same place where it is served, caterers need training in food safety and in how to keep food warm when it travels.
Also, many caterers are entrepreneurs. Therefore, they need professional catering schools with courses in how to run a business and in finance. These business owners also benefit from courses in human resources and customer service.
If you have dreamed of owning your own business, enrolling in a professional catering school is a great first step. The lifestyle website FineLiving.com reports that catering businesses can be started for as little as a $1000 initial investment. With the growing job opportunities in the industry, now is a great time to become a catering entrepreneur.
