Catering Associate

LIVING DESERT DBA THE LIVING DESERT•Palm Desert, CA

10d•Onsite

About The Position

The Catering Associate is responsible for ensuring a memorable experience for every guest and client by overseeing quality, product levels, and inventory. This role involves fulfilling guest needs quickly and efficiently, resolving complaints, and meeting expectations for event setup, execution, breakdown, and cleanup. The associate will also perform back-of-house, front-of-house, and side work duties to ensure overall productivity of banquet events. A key aspect of the role is demonstrating knowledge of menus, food presentation, and food service techniques with a focus on guest service. The position requires the ability to perform strenuous manual labor, support the movement and storage of catering items, and assist supervisors with problem-solving during events. Maintaining a friendly, approachable, professional demeanor, clear communication, a sense of urgency, and a clean, safe work environment are essential. The associate must also uphold company policies and procedures.

Requirements

Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to articulate to our guests and General Manager.
Excelled problem solving/decision making skills combined with the ability to be organized.
Demonstrates the ability to remain flexible in a fast-paced environment.
Operate all equipment necessary to perform job duties.
Physical ability to stand for extended periods and to move and handle boxes (35lbs) as necessary to operation, which entails lifting, and perform all functions as set forth above; accommodation upon request, please communicate directly with hiring manager.
Ability to work varied hours/days, including nights, weekends and holidays, as needed.

Nice To Haves

Catering and/or event industry experience a plus.

Responsibilities

Ensure a memorable experience for every guest and client.
Oversee quality, product levels, and inventory of product.
Fulfill guest’s needs quickly and efficiently as well as resolve complaints effectively.
Meet expectations of proper setup, execution, breakdown, and cleanup of each catered event.
Execute back of the house, front of the house and side work duties for overall productivity of banquet events as assigned.
Express knowledge of menus, food presentation, and food service techniques with guest service in mind.
Perform strenuous manual labor as required (equipment storage, event setup, tear down of tables and chairs).
Support placement, movement and storage of rental orders, buffet cards, and catering items.
Support Catering Supervisor(s) and Catering Operations Manager with problems during events and provide creative solutions.
Maintain a friendly and approachable attitude towards the client, guests, and staff.
Communicate clearly and openly with leaders for overall success.
Display a sense of urgency at all times.
Uphold a professional appearance and mannerism.
Maintain a clean, safe, and organized work environment.
Perform other tasks as deemed necessary.
Uphold and demonstrate a complete understanding of company policies and procedures.