A catering manager oversees the planning and delivery of food and beverage services at events, venues, hotels, or institutions such as schools and hospitals. This role involves managing staff, working with clients to design menus, ensuring food safety standards are met, and overseeing the logistics of food preparation and service. Catering managers are responsible for budgeting, ordering supplies, and maintaining high levels of customer satisfaction. The job can be fast-paced and requires excellent organisational and communication skills. Experience in hospitality and leadership is highly valued, and there are opportunities to progress to senior management roles within the industry.
Catering managers in the UK typically earn between £22,000 and £40,000 per year, depending on experience and location.
There are approximately 15,000 catering manager positions in the UK, with demand expected to grow as the hospitality sector recovers and expands.
Catering managers often work 40 to 45 hours per week, including early mornings, evenings, weekends, and public holidays.
Oversees the preparation and service of meals in schools, ensuring food standards, nutrition, and budgets are met.
Plans and manages catering services for events such as weddings, conferences, and parties, handling menus, staff, and logistics.
Manages the catering operations within a hospital, focusing on dietary requirements, food safety, and efficient meal delivery to patients.
Achieve at least 5 GCSEs at grades 4 to 9, including English and Maths.
GCSEs form the foundation of your education and are required for most further study or apprenticeship opportunities in hospitality and catering. Focus on performing well in subjects such as English, Maths, and Food Technology if available.
Pursue a college course or apprenticeship in catering, hospitality, or food service management.
You can choose to study a Level 2 or Level 3 Diploma in Professional Cookery, Hospitality Supervision, or Food and Beverage Service. Alternatively, a hospitality apprenticeship provides hands-on experience and classroom learning, which is highly valued by employers.
Complete a recognised food safety and hygiene course.
Food safety and hygiene is essential in catering management. Look for accredited courses such as Level 2 or Level 3 Food Safety and Hygiene, which are available online or through colleges. This qualification is often a legal requirement for working in food service environments.
Work as a catering assistant, kitchen porter, or in a similar junior role.
Entry-level roles give you insight into daily kitchen operations, customer service, food preparation, and teamwork. These roles are common in schools, hospitals, event venues, and restaurants, and provide real-world skills essential for progression.
Seek opportunities to supervise teams or lead small projects within your catering job.
As you gain experience, show initiative by volunteering for responsibilities like overseeing shifts, training new staff, or managing stock. Supervisory experience demonstrates leadership and organisational skills, which are key for a future manager.
Get involved in planning menus, coordinating events, or liaising with clients.
Experience with event planning helps you understand the logistical side of catering, from menu design to budgeting and customer requirements. This is highly relevant for catering managers, who often need to organise large events and manage client expectations.
Seek promotion within your workplace or apply externally for supervisory or assistant manager positions.
Roles such as Catering Supervisor or Assistant Catering Manager offer valuable management experience. You will be responsible for overseeing staff, ensuring food quality, maintaining hygiene standards, and handling some administrative tasks.
Take additional training in management, customer service, and finance.
Courses in leadership, business management, or customer care are useful for developing the skills needed to manage a team, set budgets, and ensure customer satisfaction. Many employers offer in-house training or you can study part-time.
Apply for catering manager roles in organisations such as schools, hospitals, hotels, or contract catering companies.
As a Catering Manager, you will oversee all aspects of food service, manage staff, plan menus, ensure compliance with food safety regulations, and liaise with clients. Strong organisation, leadership, and communication skills are essential for success in this role.
Responsible for organising and overseeing events, including weddings, conferences, and parties, working closely with catering teams to ensure smooth delivery.
Manages the daily operations of a restaurant, supervising staff, handling budgets, and ensuring a high standard of food and customer service.
Leads the kitchen team in planning menus, preparing meals, and managing kitchen operations, working alongside catering managers to deliver quality food services.
Explore relevant apprenticeships that can help you kickstart your career in Catering Manager. Apprenticeships offer hands-on experience and training while earning a wage.
A Catering Manager and a Restaurant Manager both oversee food service operations, manage staff, handle customer service, and ensure compliance with health and safety standards. Their roles are closely aligned in terms of managing catering or restaurant environments to deliver quality dining experiences.
You can get into this job through:
You could do a college course, which would teach you some of the skills you'll need in this job.
Courses include:
Entry requirements for these courses vary.
You could work towards this role by applying to do a Hospitality Supervisor Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship and continue with further training on the job.
You could also take a Hospitality Manager Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship, if you've got supervisory experience in restaurant work.
You'll usually need:
You could move up to a management position after working as part of the restaurant staff, for example head waiter or kitchen manager.
With experience and qualifications you could take on more management responsibilities.
You could apply for a place on a graduate training scheme. Many large restaurants and fast food chains run schemes that can lead to management jobs.
You'll usually need a university qualification to get a place. For example, a degree in hospitality management is useful but many employers will accept other subjects.
You can find out more about how to become a restaurant manager from Caterer.com.
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