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What To Learn

High School

What high school courses should you take if you're interested in this career? Get your answers from the Hospitality and Tourism cluster Restaurants and Food/Beverage Services pathway.

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Additional Information

If you want to get into catering, get a job in a restaurant first, recommends Pat Rattray, who owns both a restaurant and a catering business. She stresses that being a caterer isn't just a cooking job -- it's a managing job. She says you have to know how everything works before you can manage it, and the best way to get that experience is from a job.

Even if you start as a dishwasher or a bus person, show some enthusiasm and make your boss aware of your interests and ambitions.

Small restaurant owners appreciate flexible workers, so before you know it, you'll be doing the scheduling or ordering the food. Of course, that doesn't necessarily mean you'll be getting raises. That's why owners like flexible workers.

You could also try to get work with a caterer. As a cook or server-assistant, you may not make much money at first, but most catering businesses are small and you'll gain valuable experience.

Once you're in the field, you may work towards professional certification, such as the Certified Professional in Catering and Events (CPCE) designation from the National Association for Catering and Events or the Certified Special Events Professional (CSEP) designation from the International Live Events Association.

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OCAP believes that financial literacy and understanding the financial aid process are critical aspects of college planning and student success. OCAP staff who work with students, parents, educators and community partners in the areas of personal finance education, state and federal financial aid, and student loan management do not provide financial, investment, legal, and/or tax advice. This website and all information provided is for general educational purposes only, and is not intended to be construed as financial, investment, legal, and/or tax advice.