my views on the role of catering
After completing the course, my views on the role of catering have definitely changed. Throughout the course, I realized that catering plays a significant role in events. Most people underestimate the role catering plays in events, but after undergoing the course, my opinion is that catering is the backbone of most events. Catering for events involves so much more than just food and drinks. Catering also has a high level of demand. I discovered this after going through the course.
The first issue that made me change my views on the role catering plays is the wideness of the catering market. The catering market involves the association market, business market, and SMERF market. (Shock, Sgovio & Stefanelli, 2011). The association market has the most abundant opportunities for catering events. An example of a trade association that represents catering is the American Culinary Federation. (Shock, et al., 2011). The association is established for cooks and chefs and helps them build and develop their images worldwide. (Austin Community College, 2015). The association offers people in the catering business education and training opportunities.
The business market involves corporations that seek catering companies’ services for business events. Examples of business events include incentive events, new product introductions, and recognition events. (Shock, et al., 2011). The business market is also a broad market for catering opportunities. Together with the association market, it forms more than seventy percent of the catering market. (Shock, et al., 2011). The last market is the SMERF market, which involves special and personal events by individual clients. Examples include social events such as weddings and birthday parties. (Shock, et al., 2011). The SMERF market accounts for the other percentage of the catering market.
Another view that changed is the many roles catering plays in events other than providing food and drinks. Additional responsibilities include being in charge of lighting, soundscapes, and decorations. (Shock, et al., 2011). When a person hears of the word catering, the first thing that comes to mind is food. However, catering businesses also work in other sectors to ensure the success of an event. Lighting involves placing lighting decorations that brighten the event. Examples include glow-in-the-dark lights or portable tree lights. Soundscapes involve providing sound effects such as ocean breezes. (Shock, et al., 2011). Decor generally adds flavor to the theme of an event. (Shock, et al., 2011).
Question 2
In the next three years, I see myself working for a catering company. The high chances are that I will start as one of the junior workers. However, I hope to become a sales and marketing officer of a catering company within the next one and a half years. I would also like to become a senior management officer in the next three years. When it comes to catering, I enjoy all sectors involved in the field. Therefore, becoming a management officer will help me work with all departments. Examples include chefs, waiters, and external departments such as engineering. (Shock, et al., 2011). My ultimate goal is to become a manager. That way, I will become in charge of creating and selecting menus, hiring catering staff, and maintaining the business finances. (Target Jobs, 2019). I enjoy exploring new recipes, and getting a management job would suit me. I even try out new recipes at home. I would work hand-in-hand with the chef if I became a catering manager.
Question 3
My top three getaways include business management, online learning, and interacting with other people. The course taught me how catering managers take charge of the business. Catering managers have the responsibility of working together with the client and coordinating the ideas with his/her employees. The managers have to make sure that they fulfill the clients’ needs within the course of planning the event. Therefore, a manager can advise the client to invest in other sectors and avoid placing his-the managers’- interests first (Shock et al., 2011). An example is whereby the clients place over-emphasis on food and forgets about other factors such as decorations. The catering manager can advise the client also to consider incorporating the two to the event.
In relation to online learning, I developed a self-driven discipline and a learning culture. The course taught me how to manage my time out of class and ensure that I submit all my assignments on time. At first, it was difficult, but I got used to it and started studying on my own. I even developed a weekly timetable to enhance my knowledge of the course. I watched Youtube videos and read articles related to catering management.
In relation to interacting with other people, the course teaches a person about working with different people. Catering involves working with people from various departments such as cleaning, accounting, cooking, and engineering. (Shock, et al., 2011). Catering managers have to relate well with people to ensure that the event is a success. The manager should also establish a proper relationship with the customer. Overall, the course was beneficial to me, and I enjoyed undertaking the class.
References
Austin Community College. (2015). American Culinary Federation. Retrieved April 17, 2020 from https://sites.austincc.edu/cularts/emrican-culinary-federation/
Shock, P.J., Sgovio, C. & Stefanelli, J.M. (2011). On-Premise Catering: Hotels, Convention Centers, Arenas, Clubs, and More. Hoboken, New Jersey. John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Target Jobs. (2019). Catering Manager: Job Description. Retrieved April 18, 2020 from https://targetjobs.co.uk/careers-advice/job-descriptions/278-catering-manager-job-description