Catering Assistant

Job Requirements

Under general supervision, the Catering Assistant supports all aspects of catering operations for University of Maryland Medical System facilities. Responsibilities include coordinating, preparing, setting up, delivering, serving, and breaking down catered events while ensuring exceptional customer service and adherence to food safety and sanitation standards.

The Catering Assistant serves as a key liaison between Food & Nutrition Services and internal customers, helping to ensure meetings, conferences, special events, and hospital functions are executed efficiently and professionally. This position maintains catering equipment and supplies, supports retail food service operations as needed, and promotes a positive customer experience consistent with UMMS values and service excellence standards.

Essential Functions:

1. Coordinates and delivers catered events in a timely and professional manner, ensuring all food, supplies, equipment, and room setups are completed prior to guest arrival.
2. Assists with planning and organizing catered events, including menu selections, service styles, equipment needs, linens, décor, and staffing requirements.
3. Prepares catering event sheets, service orders, and related documentation to ensure successful event execution.
4. Participates in the preparation, assembly, transportation, setup, service, and breakdown of catered events throughout the organization.
5. Coordinates room setup requirements with Environmental Services, Facilities, Conference Services, and other departments as needed.
6. Verifies catering orders for accuracy and completeness and communicates special requests or changes appropriately.
7. Maintains inventory and proper storage of catering equipment, supplies, serving utensils, and service ware.

Work Experience

Education & Training: High School diploma or equivalent. Experience necessary to perform the job. Training is provided by department.

Work Orientation & Experience: Two - three years experience in catering and/or cooking experience. The incumbent may required up to 2 months of detailed job orientation and training to gain specific capabilities to perform job functions.

Skills & Abilities: Ability to communicate (both verbal and written) effectively with customers and support staff. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from prospective customers and the general public. Ability to work with mathematical concepts. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations. Ability to work well under time constraints. Requires good planning and organization skills.