Caterers prepare food for parties, events, and conventions. They manage the preparation, cooking, delivery, and serving of the food for the event.

Caterers can specialize in several areas, including:

• Corporate events
• Weddings
• Private parties

Caterers meet with clients to discuss the menu. Caterers will often prepare samples of foods for clients to taste.

Caterers must buy the ingredients and prepare them according to the recipe. Often, they have assistants and other staff who help them.

They cook the food either on-site or in their own professional kitchen. If the food is cooked off-site, they deliver the food to the event's location. After the event caterers make sure everything is cleared, cleaned, and that any rental equipment is returned.

Many caterers are self-employed. They pay staff, update and keep records, and pay taxes. They also advertise and market their services.

Caterers manage contracts, pricing, and payment. If they don't own the equipment they need, they must rent it. It is common for caterers to rent dinnerware, stemware, silverware, and even special cooking equipment.