Catering
Whether it’s called food service, hospitality, bartending, or being a “cater waiter”, it’s all basically the same thing – you’re serving guests at galas, fancy holiday dinners, and luncheons.
The great part about catering gigs: they can have some high volume on nights and/or weekends.
The not-so-great part: Most catering companies want food service experience.
Personally, I had absolutely none, but I knew a lot of friends who made good money catering, so I wanted to get in on it! I called around and finally registered with a catering company. I didn’t get a call for months (and I’ll explain why in a blog post one day – I didn’t use the magic words) and then randomly got an email.
They were doing a large event at a baseball field and needed at least 100 people for their staff. I’m sure they pulled every person they’d ever interviewed from their database - because I got a call.
I had to provide my own white shirt and black pants, which is typical; I met them in the city and was bussed out to the event location.
Advice: If you’re going to one of these events to work – don’t take a big bag if you can help it. There’s usually not a good place to put it and it’s definitely not secure.
I carried around drinks all day on a tray. It was one of the longest days I’ve ever worked, but great money and totally worth it.
At another catering company I was hired to work the coat check. Sometimes they just need a greeter at an event. In my interview, I just let them know I was willing to help out in any way.
Some quick tips:
Once you register for a few catering companies – keep a few button-up white shirts, a pair of black pants, comfortable shoes (this is not a fashion show, people), and black socks clean and on hand at all times. You’ll never know when you may get a last-minute call.
If you need a tux, check out OK Uniform on Church Street. If they need you to provide your own tux, they’ll tell you what kind to get. That’s usually the catering uniform – a black tux.
Oh – and you don’t need to wear your catering outfit to the interview – a nice pair of pants and a button up will do just fine.
Not sure where to begin? Here are two catering companies I recommend applying with and a few tips and trick to help you along the way!
(Listings Updated November 2023)
Amerivents
Phone Number: (212)-245-1080
Website: https://www.amerivents.com
Social Media:
How to Apply: Call the above number or apply here
Scoozi Events
Phone Number: (212) 799-0080
Website: https://www.scoozievents.com/
Social Media:
How to Apply: Send your info and headshot here
At Your Service Staffing
Phone Number: (631) 589-4174
Website: https://www.aysstaff.com/
Social Media:
How to Apply: Apply here, and tell them Michelle Dyer sent you.
A company committed to service in every way. Not only do folks working for At Your Service Staffing provide exceptional customer service, the company itself is also dedicated to giving back. If you want to feel good about where you work, ! Social media: , , , and .
Food Trends
Phone Number: (212) 451-9598
Website: https://foodtrends.com
Social Media:
How to Apply: Apply here
Canard
Phone Number: (212) 947-2480
Website: https://www.canardinc.com
Social Media:
How to Apply: Apply here!
Bite New York
Phone Number: (646) 649-2768
Website: https://imightbite.com
Social Media:
How to Apply: Apply here
Thomas Preti Caterers
Phone Number: (212) 764-3188
Website: https://thomaspreti.com
Social Media:
How to Apply: Apply here
Bonbite NYC
Phone Number: (929) 250-2075
Website: https://www.bonbitenyc.com
Social Media:
How to Apply: Apply here
Model Bartenders
Phone Number: (212) 499-0886
Website: https://modelbartenders.com
Social Media:
How to Apply: Apply here