The catering industry offers a wide range of exciting job positions, each requiring a unique set of skills and characteristics. From the creativity and precision of chefs, through the communication skills and speed of waiters, to the strategic thinking of restaurant managers. In this article, we will provide you with a comprehensive description of key job positions in the catering industry and their importance for business.
The catering industry offers a wide range of exciting job positions, each requiring a unique set of skills and characteristics. From the creativity and precision of chefs, through the communication skills and speed of waiters, to the strategic thinking of restaurant managers. In this article, we will provide you with a comprehensive description of key job positions in the catering industry and their importance for business.
Key job positions in the catering industry
These key food service jobs require specific skills and offer a variety of career paths. Regardless of their position, the common denominator for all of them is a passion for the industry, as well as the willingness to work hard and constantly learn.
Restaurant manager
The restaurant manager is responsible for overseeing all restaurant operations, managing staff, budgeting, and ensuring customer satisfaction. This is a role that requires management, planning and excellent communication skills.
Required skills: Leadership skills, time and staff management, knowledge of accounting and financial management principles.
Chef
A chef, also known as an executive chef, is the person responsible for the overall culinary supervision of a restaurant, creating menus, and managing the kitchen team. This is a position that requires not only culinary skills but also management skills.
Required skills: Excellent knowledge of culinary art, leadership skills, creativity in creating menus, ability to manage a team.
Cook
Cooks are the heart of every kitchen, responsible for preparing dishes according to the menu, managing ingredient supplies, and maintaining high sanitary standards. From precise preparation of ingredients, through cooking, to aesthetic presentation of dishes, cooks must not only have the required technical skills, but also creativity.
Required skills: Knowledge of culinary techniques, ability to work under pressure, creativity in creating dishes.
Kitchen helper/assistant
Kitchen helpers support cooks with ingredients preparation (washing, peeling, cutting) and maintaining order in the kitchen. This role is often the starting point for those looking to pursue a career in food service.
Required skills: Good work organization, ability to learn quickly, resistance to stress.
Confectioner/Baker
Confectioners and bakers specialize in the preparation of sweets, pastries, desserts, and bread. From cakes, through breads, to other delicacies, their work requires precision, creativity, and the ability to work with a variety of techniques and ingredients.
Required skills: Knowledge of baking and confectionery techniques, creativity in creating new recipes, precision in measuring ingredients.
Head waiter
The head waiter is responsible for managing service staff and ensuring the smooth operation of the restaurant. This person coordinates the work of waiters, ensures proper communication between the kitchen and the dining room, and ensures that each guest feels special.
Required skills: Organizational skills, excellent interpersonal skills, and ability to quickly solve problems.
Waiter
Waiters are the face of the restaurant, they are responsible for taking orders, serving food and drinks, and ensuring guest satisfaction. They must be communicative, organized, and able to cope with stressful situations to ensure a high standard of service.
Required skills: Excellent communication skills, knowledge of menu and food recommendations, ability to work in a team.
Bartender/Barista
Beverage specialists who prepare both classic and innovative cocktails, coffees, and other drinks. Bartenders and baristas must not only know recipes but also have the ability to create new flavor compositions and excellent interpersonal skills to interact with customers.
Required skills: Knowledge of a wide range of beverage recipes, creativity, ability to work under pressure.
Sommelier
A sommelier is a specialist in wines and other beverages whose task is to advise customers in choosing the drink that best suits their dishes. This position requires not only extensive knowledge of wines and alcohol production techniques but also communication skills to be able to convey this knowledge in an accessible way.
Required skills: Deep knowledge of wines and other beverages, excellent interpersonal skills, and ability to build relationships with customers.
Tailoring job roles to your restaurant type
The type and nature of a catering establishment largely determine which roles are necessary. For example, a small cafe will primarily require baristas who are not only knowledgeable in preparing coffee but also often act as waiters, serving customers and taking orders.
In the case of bars and pubs, key employees are bartenders, able to quickly prepare a wide range of drinks and maintain good contact with customers.
Full-service culinary restaurants will require a more complex team, including chefs specializing in different types of cuisine, kitchen assistants, waiters to serve customers, and a restaurant manager to oversee the overall operation.
High-end venues may also employ sommeliers to advise on wine selection and head waiters. In the case of large catering facilities, such as hotels or conference centers, there are additional roles such as an executive chef responsible for supervising several different cuisines offered or food concepts.
Each restaurant must therefore adapt its employment structure to its unique needs in order to ensure the highest quality of services for its guests.
| Type of restaurant | Essential staff positions |
|---|---|
| A small cafe | – Barista (combining the role of coffee preparation and customer service) |
| Bar/Pub | – Bartender (beverage specialist, customer service) |
| Full service restaurant | – Chef (specializing in various types of cuisine) – Kitchen helper – Waiter (customer service) – Restaurant manager (supervision of operations) |
| High-class premises | – Sommelier (wine advice) – Head waiter – Specialized chefs and kitchen helpers |
| Large catering facilities (e.g. Hotels, Conference Centers) | – Chef (executive chef, supervision of various kitchens) – Various culinary specialists depending on the services offered |
What qualifications and professional experience are required from employees in the catering industry?
Let’s take a closer look at the qualifications and professional experience required of employees in various positions in the catering industry:
Restaurant manager
- A university degree in management, hotel management, or catering is required.
- Experience managing staff, finances, and restaurant operations is necessary.
- Leadership skills, organizational and communication skills, and problem-solving skills are key.
Chef (Executive Chef)
- Advanced culinary education and/or extensive professional experience in senior positions in the kitchen.
- Ability to manage costs, create innovative menus, and oversee kitchen operations.
- Leader with strong team management skills, and ability to inspire and motivate staff.
Cook
- Formal culinary education or equivalent professional experience in the kitchen is required.
- Knowledge of cooking techniques, food safety, and hygiene standards is required.
- Creativity in creating and modifying dishes is expected, as well as the ability to work as a team under pressure.
Kitchen helper
- Basic knowledge of cooking techniques and operation of kitchen equipment.
- Ability to quickly learn and adapt to a variety of kitchen tasks.
- Experience is not required, but practice in the kitchen will be an additional advantage.
Confectioner/Baker
- Formal education or certification in baking/confectionery is required.
- Experience working with a variety of recipes and baking techniques is required.
- Creativity, precision, and passion for creating high-quality baked goods are expected.
Head waiter
- Experience in managing a team of waiters in a restaurant or hotel.
- Organizational, communication, and staff management skills.
- Knowledge of restaurant customer service protocol and standards.
Waiter
- Outstanding communication skills and impeccable appearance are required.
- Knowledge of restaurant menus and the ability to advise customers on the selection of dishes and drinks is required.
- Experience in customer service is preferred, especially in the catering industry.
Barman
- Knowledge of a wide range of beverage recipes, including cocktails, and bartending techniques is required.
- Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work in a dynamic environment are key.
- Experience working behind a bar is expected, along with the ability to operate bar equipment.
Barista
- Must have deep knowledge of different types of coffee and brewing techniques.
- Skills in operating professional coffee machines and other barista equipment are required.
- Excellent customer service skills are expected, including the ability to communicate and build relationships.
- Previous experience working in a café or similar position is preferred.
Sommelier
- Extensive knowledge of wines, alcoholic beverages, and tasting techniques is required.
- Wine-tasting certificates and experience working with wine are highly desirable.
- Interpersonal skills are key, including the ability to communicate with customers and advise on beverage selection.
Job positions in gastronomy – summary
The catering industry offers the opportunity for professional development on many levels, and the opportunity to constantly learn and improve your skills.
Let’s remember that success in gastronomy is not only about knowing recipes or serving techniques. It is primarily the ability to work in a team, creativity and flexibility. Regardless of the position, each catering employee makes an irreplaceable contribution to creating a unique atmosphere and experiences that encourage guests to return.
Share