Food preparation – catering cooks need significant food preparation experience, so a background working as a prep cook or sous chef is ideal. Some catering chefs also have a type of food they specialize in
Food presentation – presenting appetizing and appealing food is a key talent for catering chefs. This helps give guests a positive dining experience and brings in repeated bookings
Organization and budgeting – many catering cooks are in charge of planning and purchasing for events, so a solid grasp of budgeting and a high level of organization are both vital
Menu development – catering cooks work directly with event planners and hosts to develop menus, so it’s important to have experience with developing, presenting, and customizing menus for each event
Communication skills – communication is important for catering cooks whether they’re dealing with clients, guests, or other event staff members before, during, and after an event
Team leadership – successful catering cooks are effective team leaders, able to direct kitchen staff and servers to deliver a high level of customer service