- excellent verbal communication skills
- customer service skills
- leadership skills
- the ability to work well with others
- maths knowledge
- the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
- business management skills
- the ability to monitor your own performance and that of your colleagues
- patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
- to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device
Your day-to-day tasks may include:
- planning and developing menus to increase sales
- recruiting and training staff
- organising shifts and rotas
- financial planning, managing budgets and stock control
- meeting suppliers and negotiating contracts
- monitoring the quality of the service to customers
- running the business in line with health and safety and food hygiene regulations
- catering for special diets and meeting nutritional needs
You may need to wear a uniform.
You could work at a restaurant, at a school, in an NHS or private hospital, in an office or at a conference centre.
With experience you could move into larger organisations or those offering more specialised work like event catering.
You could also study for further qualifications in hospitality.
Another option is to start your own contract catering business.
You can find out more about catering careers from the Hospitality Guild and CareerScope.
