How to Become a Catering Director

About Catering Director

Catering Director is a person who is responsible for deciding the menu within the total budget decided for the event. He also ensures that the menu is served up beautifully as per the requirements of the customer. Catering Director is in charge of scheduling, suppliers, contracts, people and F&B budgets. Apart from this, he also makes sure that staff members and other departments are following the health standards and precautions. 

Responsibilities of a Catering Director

Check some of the major responsibilities of a Catering Director given below.

• Developing marketing strategies and plans to promote the catering business

• Finalising budgets for the catering department

• Hiring and training catering staff as per the need and requirements

• Supervising and coordinating the catering programs

• Using innovative skills and techniques to create a client base

• Preparing a report on the expenses and sales of the business. 

Eligibility to become Catering Director

Check the minimum eligibility criteria for a career as a Catering Director provided below.

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management 

• A minimum of 3 years of work experience in low/ mid-level profiles of hotel management. 

• Certification in food handling/ voluntary certification or a certification in an alcoholic beverage.

• Some companies might ask you to complete a training program in food security, quality management, food preparation and restaurant management

Skills Required: Some of the necessary skills required to Become a Catering Director are 

• Customer service skills

• Good communication skills

• Team management skills

• Goal-oriented

• High standards of hygiene

Candidates who are interested in getting admission to Bachelor of Catering Technology & Culinary Arts (BCT & CA), Bachelor of Hotel Management & Catering Technology (BHMCT) or any other course for a career as a Catering Director may fill the Common Application Form. 

Types of Job Roles Catering Director

Catering Director should be able to understand the customer’s requirements and provide excellent services to him as per his requirements. The job role of a Catering Director will vary depending on the type of industry he is working in. He can start his career as Catering Director by working under the guidance of a manager or a senior employee of the hotel and then he can utilize his skills for this growth. Some job profiles available for a Catering Director are provided below.

• Hotel Manager

• Catering Manager

• Restaurant Manager

• Food Manufacturing Inspector

• Food Technologist

If you want to know more about a career as a Catering Director, you can ask questions at Collegedekho QnA zone. 

Employment Opportunities for the Catering Director

Catering Directors works in all kind of restaurants, hotels, resorts and airlines. They can also opt for a part-time career as a Catering Director during holidays or weekends. Some other job opportunities where Catering Director may apply for a job are provided below.

• Hotels

• Resorts

• Catering Firms

• Cruise Ships 

• Tourist Attractions

• Airlines

• Schools

• MNCs

Top Recruiting Agencies for Catering Director

Some of the major recruiting companies for a Catering Director are listed below.

• Tandoori Nights 

• HeartyGrabs

• Maharaja Bhog

• Flavee Gourmet

• Culinary Affaire

• Golden Tulip

• ITC Welcome

• Mini Punjab

• Dana Choga

Pay Scale/Salary of Catering Director

The average salary of a Catering Director is around 7 lakh per annum. His average salary will depend on his experience and responsibilities. The table provided below contains the average salary of a Catering Director. 

Books & Study Material to Become Catering Director

Some of the books provided below which can be read for more information regarding catering management are given below

• Catering Management by Nancy Loman Scanlon

• Off-Premise Catering Management by Bill Hansen

• Marketing by Menu by Nancy Loman Scanlon

• Catering by Bruce Mattel

• Catering Complete by Doug Pinkston

• Good Food Good Business by Culina Salus

Pros of becoming a Catering Director

• Career as a Catering Director allows you to work part time

• You can utilise your creative skills for modifying the menu

• You can start your own catering business

• Career as a Catering Director let you meet different kinds of people daily

Cons of becoming a Catering Director

• Work hours of Catering Director are not fixed as you might have to work over the weekends also

• A career as a Catering Director demands perfection

• You will have to prepare your menu within the budget decided by the customer

• Experience is required for this profile