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Caterer Interview Questions

Edited by Indeed Employer Content Team
Last updated 1 April 2025
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Indeed’s Employer Resource Library helps businesses grow and manage their workforce. With over 15,000 articles in 6 languages, we offer tactical advice, how-tos and best practices to help businesses hire and retain great employees.

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Whether you are preparing to interview a candidate or applying for a job, review our list of top Caterer interview questions and answers.

  1. What is your experience in the field of hospitality? See answer
  2. How do you deal with high-pressure situations? See answer
  3. How would you handle a difficult client or one of their guests? See answer
  4. Tell me about a time that you delegated tasks to your team members. See answer
  5. Tell me about a time when you had to deal with a last-minute change. See answer
  6. What experience do you have with social media? See answer
  7. Do you prefer teamwork or working independently? See answer
  8. What is your first reaction when you do something wrong at work? See answer
  9. How do you improve your knowledge of catering? See answer
  10. Talk about your food handling experiences, for instance, food prep, serving, storage and cleanup. See answer
  11. Catering is a team job. If you were catering a wedding and came up short-staffed, what could you do to pitch in? See answer
  12. What’s your thought process on saying ‘no’ to an unreasonable request from the customer?
  13. You’re in the kitchen, and a grease fire or emergency breaks out. What do you do?
  14. What’s your measure for the success of an event?
  15. What are the details of a party you’ve planned, including what you served, how you decorated and guest response?
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Indeed’s Employer Resource Library helps businesses grow and manage their workforce. With over 15,000 articles in 6 languages, we offer tactical advice, how-tos and best practices to help businesses hire and retain great employees.

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15 Caterer Interview Questions and Answers

What is your experience in the field of hospitality?

A successful caterer gives guests a remarkable experience starting with the taste of the food, food pairings and presentation. This question should elicit a response of food service experience, hotel experience or customer service experience. The answer tells you if the candidate understands how customers' needs come first. What to look for in an answer:

  • Customer-centric with experience serving customers
  • Serving expertise and interpersonal skills
  • Professional with an engaging manner
Example:

'I started catering while in college with a local caterer and occasionally with the college's catering service. I served a variety of guests in situations such as weddings, graduation parties, anniversary parties and corporate events.'

How do you deal with high-pressure situations?

The planning and coordination of events involve several deadlines, unforeseen changes and hours on your feet serving people. You want to know how your candidate deals with unavoidable problems and their on-the-job stress. What to look for in an answer:

  • Experience handling high-pressure situations
  • Ability to stay organised and focused
  • Problem-solving skills
'Pressure is a catalyst for me and has sometimes helped me produce great work. With pressing deadlines and ongoing changes, I refocus my goals and energy, stay on task and remain calm.'
Example:

How would you handle a difficult client or one of their guests?

Catering and event planning can be stressful and dealing with unhappy customers or difficult guests is common. It's essential to have experienced food and event professionals overseeing an event. With this question, you can determine if the candidate maintains a level and cool head while practising a high level of tolerance and patience. What to look for in an answer:

  • Active listening and interpersonal skills
  • Quick-thinking and creative problem-solving skills
  • Patience, courteousness and tolerance
Example:

'I would actively listen to the person explain the problem, and if I couldn't fix the problem, I would find someone who could. In my last position, there was a miscommunication, and as a result, we gave away the client's date to another customer. Eventually, we worked out an alternative date, gave them discounts on food and waived corkage fees. I think it's important to empathise with a client and meet their needs.'

What's your thought process on saying ‘no' to an unreasonable request from the customer?

Catering brings with it a lot of requests, changes and upsets. The answer to this question should give you insight into the candidate's ability to provide customer service but know where to draw the line. What to look for in an answer:

  • Customer service
  • Interpersonal skills
  • Ability to say no and provide logical reasons
'I'm happy to accommodate a client or customer within reason. At a banquet, I had a customer ask for a menu item that was not on the banquet menu. I politely and clearly explained that the night's event didn't have an open menu and that the planned meals had given attendees two options. I solved the problem by suggesting we combine different food items from each plate with double orders of his favourites. Even though it wasn't what the attendee wanted, they accepted the compromise, felt like they saved face, and I provided customer service.'
Example:

Tell me about a time that you delegated tasks to your team members.

Catering planning and events get busy, needing on-point organisation and teamwork. The candidate's answer should reveal how they had to delegate tasks to other team members. What to look for in an answer:

  • Teamwork and asking for help
  • Interpersonal skills
  • Ability to prioritise tasks
'If I have to delegate tasks, I typically follow three steps. First, I identify the tasks I want to delegate and maintain a smooth workflow. Second, I determine who to delegate tasks to based on the strengths of each team member. Finally, when I delegate, I do so with fairness and trust. I always take time to thank the person and get their feedback.'
Example:

Tell me about a time when you had to deal with a last-minute change.

Things can go wrong at any event, and someone has to work behind the scenes to fix the problems, clean up the mess, or get creative to solve issues. In this question, you check to ensure the candidate can think and act on their feet. What to look for in an answer:

  • Customer service
  • Problem-solving skills
  • Creative thinking
'I once helped with an event for a fundraising gala. Because of severe weather, we all knew that guests would be late. So, our team reworked the schedule to accommodate latecomers. For instance, we notified the chef immediately to implement a plan and we extended the cocktail hour. We gave guests who arrived earlier an extra raffle ticket to thank them for their patience. In the end, it worked out fine, and the weather became the brunt of many jokes.'
Example:

What experience do you have with social media?

Catering, planning and scheduling are about communication. You want to ensure that your candidate can exhibit screen-to-screen and face-to-face communication skills. What to look for in an answer:

  • Communication skills
  • Social media promoter
  • Social media presence
'I executed a social media strategy for an event at the city park. I focused on promoting the event through the fresh, quality food we had on offer at our various food stands. The event was a great success.'
Example:

Do you prefer teamwork or working independently?

Catering requires good people skills and coordination. Your candidate's answer should ensure good communication, follow through in a team or solo position and the ability to get along with many different personalities. What to look for in an answer:

  • Teamwork
  • Interpersonal skills
  • Coordination and organisation
'I became interested in catering, events and hospitality because it requires coordination and teamwork. I like working with the professions in each area, such as venue, food, music, flowers and entertainment. There are, however, some instances where I prefer solo work, especially when I have to focus on a budget or create a schedule.'
Example:

You're in the kitchen, and a grease fire breaks out. What do you do?

Members of the catering team must be trained in safety and response. A candidate's orientation should include first aid supplies, locating fire extinguishers and locating emergency exits for the entire venue. What to look for in an answer:

  • Training on evacuation procedures and potential hazards
  • Quick thinking
  • Safety first
'I am trained in evacuation procedures, monitoring safety, and hazardous situations. For instance, if a fire starts in the kitchen, I would cover the flame with a metal lid, pour salt or baking soda on the flame and prevent the flames from spreading. I stay calm, in control and react logically in emergencies.'
Example:

What is your first reaction when you do something wrong at work?

Making mistakes at work can help improve an employee's processes and develop trust with colleagues. You need to know how the candidate handles errors, demonstrates professionalism and learns from mistakes. What to look for in an answer:

  • Honesty and humility
  • Problem-solving and learning from mistakes
  • Taking responsibility
'When I make a mistake, I own up to it, apologise and don't blame anyone else. If it's serious enough that I can't fix it on my own, I tell my supervisor but try to find a solution first. I explain the mistake, explain my resolution and how long it will take to complete. After correcting the mistake, I evaluate what I can do differently in the future and if the answer can help others, I share it.'
Example:

How do you improve your knowledge of catering?

Your candidate should be motivated to learn and interested in self-improvement. Catering and event planning change quickly with the trends and evolving formats of doing business. Your candidate should be up-to-date. What to look for in an answer:

  • Self-improvement activities
  • Time management
  • Motivation
'I attend webinars, follow famous and popular caterers and read catering and event planning publications. I have enrolled in hospitality courses and researched big events to find out about the newest themes, food, entertainment, beverages and decorations as they are introduced.'
Example:

What's your measure for the success of an event?

By asking this question, you look for insight into the candidate's ability to understand the goals, key performance indicators and who the audience or clients are. What to look for in an answer:

  • Understanding the client's brand
  • Understanding the purpose of the event
  • Social media skills
Example:

'I think an event is successful based on attendee metrics, results of any sale or amount of donations. Also, if the client is pleased and are their guests happy, the event is a success. While success depends on each particular event, I like using social media and surveying tools. I think surveys are a great tool to measure the attendees' experience and success is helped by media coverage.'

Talk about your food handling experiences, for instance, food prep, serving, storage and cleanup.

Handling food is governed by health and food safety requirements that a caterer must be current on, actively practising and have staff trained and certified as food handlers. The answer to this question should reveal the candidate's knowledge of protective clothing, proper storing of food and sanitation. What to look for in an answer:

  • Commitment to a sanitary workplace
  • Ensure all staff hold food hygiene training
  • Detailed knowledge of public health, food safety guidelines, and commercial consumption of food
'I hold a British Food Hygiene certificate awarded by the XYZ Institute of Food Safety after successfully passing all required courses. I also have completed education courses in different Food Safety levels. I wear protective gear and adhere to food storage guidelines.'
Example:

What are the details of a party you've planned, including what you served, how you decorated and guest response?

Catering, party planning and event planning have a lot in common, including planning, organising, food service, theme and decorations. Asking the candidate to describe a party they planned reveals their attention to detail, creativity and organisation. What to look for in an answer:

  • Budget awareness
  • Practical planning
  • Organisation and execution of ideas
Example:

'I threw a western-themed wedding shower with a minimal budget and a large number of guests. I planned it as a potluck and barbecue at a large local park on a lake. There were attendees with boats and a stable owner providing horseback riding. Barbecued food and all beverages, cake, decorations, plates, utensils, cups, invitations and entertainment came out of the budget. All had a fun day as a preview to a wedding held in a glammed-up barn.'

Catering is a team job. If you were catering a wedding and came up short-staffed, what could you do to pitch in?

At catered events, anything can go wrong, and short staffing is a potential problem. A wedding is one of the most important events in a couple's life, and it's helpful to know how a candidate can pitch in on the workflow and help make the event a success. What to look for in an answer:

  • Willing team member
  • Problem-solving
  • Flexible
Example:

'In a previous job, a wedding planner's staff was short. While we set up tables, the wedding planner needed help boxing the top table that faced the guests. I volunteered because I have a lot of experience in boxing tables and had developed some methods to make it easier.'

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