Catering job

barnettgs

barnettgs

barnettgs

Soldato
Joined
22 Jan 2005
Posts
2,834
Location
N Ireland
Well, my job contact as IT Technician will be up this March, due to the lack of funding at community centre.

There is very little IT opportunities in my area so maybe I go for a change of career. Looking through all the jobs in my area, I noticed there's a load of catering jobs, probably more than all the other jobs combined!

What do I need to know about working in catering industry and what training do I need - basic catering course?

Also anyone here who works in catering?
 
I've been a silver service watier part time for bout 5 years, during high school and college. I never did any formal courses, some in-house stuff though. I did work with people that went to catering college though. I remember talking to one of the managers at a hotel restaurant I worked at and he said the money isn't great, I think his words were "you don't get into catering for the money".

oh and before anyone says anything, i realise the op is most probably looking for a job a bit better than a waiter.
 
If you like long hours, split shifts, crap pay, dealing with customers then go for it. You dont need any qualifications, the food hygiene certificate isnt even needed though most company's make you do it.

Having been a chef for most of my working life i was very glad to get out of it.

Dont let that put you off mind :)
 
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LizardKing said:
If you like long hours, split shifts, crap pay, dealing with customers then go for it. You dont need any qualifications, the food hygiene certificate isnt even needed though most company's make you do it.

Having been a chef for most of my working life i was very glad to get out of it.

Dont let that put you off mind :)
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It doesn't sound appreciated especially with people like to go out for a nice meal. I have noticed that the pay isn't great too, similar to McDonald's.

I guess I will have to think it throughly.
 
some catering jobs can pay well, i've been a chef for ~ 14 years now, i'm currently working as a head chef on pretty decent money to be fair, though you have to start right down at the beginning where you'll probably earn minimum wage. You'll likely work a split shift which has its advantages and disadvantages, in summer it's great to finish work at 2pm and get some sun, which the office workers don't really get. It's a stressful job though when you are busy, you have to be thinking about many things at any one time so as not to ruin stuff / get food out within a certain timescale to avoid grumpy customers lol. Once you get to my position though the money starts to come in and i could probably have my pick of jobs at head chef level but i enjoy it (most of the time) where i work now.
 
barnettgs said:
Well, my job contact as IT Technician will be up this March, due to the lack of funding at community centre.

There is very little IT opportunities in my area so maybe I go for a change of career. Looking through all the jobs in my area, I noticed there's a load of catering jobs, probably more than all the other jobs combined!

What do I need to know about working in catering industry and what training do I need - basic catering course?

Also anyone here who works in catering?
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why on earth would you want to move from IT to catering? i suggest you look a little harder for an IT job
 
neocon said:
why on earth would you want to move from IT to catering? i suggest you look a little harder for an IT job
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barnettgs said:
There is very little IT opportunities in my area so maybe I go for a change of career.
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Well, I live in the quieter western area of Northern Ireland and jobs online website for NI shows only 22 IT-related jobs in the whole of NI!
 
its your life mate

take london for instance, its actually full of people from all over england who have moved their for work

you have to make an effort
 
Catering as in chefs or catering as in waiters?

The pay in general is bad, but it depends where you work. One of my part-time jobs is in catering and they pay really well. So well that I don't even mind the work. Throw tips on top (usually half of my daily wage) and the £/hr is even better.

As for skills, you don't really need many skills to be a waiter. No need for training unless it's silver service. As long as you have manners, good appearance, and can carry things you're set.

As for morale, it'll be a bit of a drag unless you're teamed up with the right people. I doubt I'd enjoy it if it was full-time job.
 
wez130 said:
some catering jobs can pay well, i've been a chef for ~ 14 years now, i'm currently working as a head chef on pretty decent money to be fair, though you have to start right down at the beginning where you'll probably earn minimum wage. You'll likely work a split shift which has its advantages and disadvantages, in summer it's great to finish work at 2pm and get some sun, which the office workers don't really get. It's a stressful job though when you are busy, you have to be thinking about many things at any one time so as not to ruin stuff / get food out within a certain timescale to avoid grumpy customers lol. Once you get to my position though the money starts to come in and i could probably have my pick of jobs at head chef level but i enjoy it (most of the time) where i work now.
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I have been seriously thinking about learning to cook professionally, I am fortunate that I don't need the money so starting at the bottom is no problem for me.

I don't suppose there is any chance I can pick your brains on MSN is there?
 
If you go into catering, most jobs will make you kiss goodbye to evenings and weekends, unless you hook up with something in the contract catering side which may be Monday to Friday. Good luck with finding an IT job
 
Slinwagh said:
I have been seriously thinking about learning to cook professionally, I am fortunate that I don't need the money so starting at the bottom is no problem for me.

I don't suppose there is any chance I can pick your brains on MSN is there?
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yeah sure, but not tonight - i'm off to watch Ding Dong now with the wife haha, but add me - wez130 at hotmail dotcom :)
 
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