You’ve been selected to help organize the catering of a major event, and you’re excited at the prospect; it’s a great honor! The only problem is, you don’t have enough people on hand to staff both your own business and the event. You know you’re going to have to bring in help from the outside, but can you rely on them? How can you know they’re up to the task?
It might seem daunting, but knowledge is your ally. There are several things you need to keep in mind when hiring catering staff, from the size of the event to the budget, along with qualifications and certifications. So, what can you do to ensure everything goes smoothly? It’s time to take a look at five key things to keep in mind to hire catering staff without a hitch.
5 Key Things To Keep in Mind When Hiring Catering Staff
No two events are the same, but there are constants when it comes to hiring reliable, qualified, and helpful catering staff. Here are some tips for how to hire catering staff you can rely on.
1. Know the Size of the Event
Knowing the size of the event will help you determine how many people you need to have on staff to run it successfully. While those numbers may need to be adjusted depending on the budget, knowing the size of the event can help you plan for any eventuality.
2. Keep the Budget in Mind
The event’s budget helps decide which kind of catering professionals you’ll need at an event and also how many you’ll be able to hire. You may end up being able to only hire a smaller number than you need, meaning you’ll have to be more selective regarding the experience level of the staff you have on hand. Having catering staff members that are highly experienced and can juggle multiple roles and responsibilities can save you money without sacrificing quality.
3. Know the Roles You’re Hiring For
You’re not just going to need banquet servers—you will need kitchen staff such as prep cooks, chefs, and dishwashers, too. Not to mention bartenders and potentially barbacks depending on the size of the event. Knowing the kind of staff you will need on hand will help you hire specifically to fill those roles.
You should want catering staff who can be nimble, observant, and responsive to the needs of your guests. Consider, too, people who can fill multiple roles at a moment’s notice. Look for catering professionals who have experience working events similar to the one you are hiring for.
4. Write Clear Job Descriptions for Catering Staff
If you are hiring an outside staffing agency, you need to be sure to lay out clear, specific expectations so that the right people are hired. If you are doing it yourself, be sure that your job descriptions are detailed and specific.
Job descriptions should include all key responsibilities, desired skills and qualifications, what makes your business unique, and the wage offered for the position.
Think about the channels you are going to post on to find qualified talent. Job boards like Indeed, ZipRecruiter, or LinkedIn are good places to start. One place to find vetted catering staff is Qwick—the professional platform at the heart of the hospitality industry. Tap into the Qwick crew of top talent in the hospitality industry to staff your events in no time.
5. Ask for Recommendations & Verify Credentials
If you’re looking for a private catering agency, ask friends or colleagues for recommendations. If you’re just planning on hiring individuals to work the event, again, ask around. Hopefully, your contacts will provide some insight into potential candidates to hire.
Don’t just take someone else’s word though, remember to verify each candidate’s credentials and check references. If your catering event is going to serve drinks, doesn’t it make sense to have a skilled bartender working? If a candidate says they attended bartending school, double-check their experience or certifications—just in case! Asking highly-specific questions related to the position during the interview process can you help ensure they know their stuff.
These tips for hiring catering staff will help you ensure your next event runs smoothly with a full team on board. If you’re in a time crunch to fill catering shifts with hospitality talent, use Qwick!
Find Qualified Catering Staff With Qwick!
Even if you know how to hire catering staff, you may feel as if you are about to pull all your hair out, wondering how you’ll find the people you need in time. Qwick is the future of hospitality staffing. With Qwick, you’re able to find reliable, qualified catering talent whenever you need them—and fast! Qwick handles all of the logistics, from vetting to verifying certifications and more, so you can put your focus where it really needs to be.
Regardless of the size of the event, Qwick can connect you with catering freelancers eager to work shifts for your catering business. Visit Qwick today to learn about all of the staffing possibilities for your next event.
