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Chef/catering vs banquet chef

The differences between chef/caterings and banquet chefs can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a chef/catering and a banquet chef. Additionally, a banquet chef has an average salary of $48,026, which is higher than the $47,693 average annual salary of a chef/catering.

The top three skills for a chef/catering include culinary, kitchen equipment and menu planning. The most important skills for a banquet chef are culinary, food preparation, and quality standards.

Chef/catering vs banquet chef overview

Chef/CateringBanquet Chef
Yearly salary$47,693$48,026
Hourly rate$22.93$23.09
Growth rate15%15%
Number of jobs20,51223,474
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 50%Associate Degree, 59%
Average age4242
Years of experience66

What does a chef/catering do?

A Chef/Caterer is responsible for cooking dishes at events. They direct the kitchen staff and wait personnel in serving the food, attending to food stations, and setting up buffet tables.

What does a banquet chef do?

Banquet Chefs are responsible for preparation, planning, and kitchen management as a culinary expert. They work in hotels, resorts, clubs, and other facilities.

Chef/catering vs banquet chef salary

Chef/caterings and banquet chefs have different pay scales, as shown below.

Chef/CateringBanquet Chef
Average salary$47,693$48,026
Salary rangeBetween $27,000 And $84,000Between $28,000 And $80,000
Highest paying CityNewark, NJWashington, DC
Highest paying stateNew JerseyNew Jersey
Best paying companyCornell UniversityJ.F. Shea Co
Best paying industryTechnologyHospitality

Differences between chef/catering and banquet chef education

There are a few differences between a chef/catering and a banquet chef in terms of educational background:

Chef/CateringBanquet Chef
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 50%Associate Degree, 59%
Most common majorCulinary ArtsCulinary Arts
Most common collegeBoston UniversityCornell University

Chef/catering vs banquet chef demographics

Here are the differences between chef/caterings' and banquet chefs' demographics:

Chef/CateringBanquet Chef
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 71.6% Female, 28.4%Male, 84.9% Female, 15.1%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.9% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 16.4% Asian, 10.6% White, 56.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%Black or African American, 10.6% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 16.5% Asian, 11.2% White, 55.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between chef/catering and banquet chef duties and responsibilities

Chef/catering example responsibilities.

  • Control food and payroll costs to achieve maximum profitability.
  • Train kitchen staff on HACCP guidelines, customer service, portion control and daily standards.
  • Work with a talent team of catering chefs prepping and cooking cater menu items for weddings, parties and corporate events.
  • Supervise setup, breakdown and maintenance of buffets for off-site catering company.
  • Pack meals and oversee delivery and set up of buffets and utensils when necessary.
  • Train new employee's in proper safety/sanitation guidelines with a HACCP style format that the group implements.
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Banquet chef example responsibilities.

  • Manage cold kitchen production for a luxury hotel with a Michelin star restaurant
  • Design and execute stunning, delicious, but simplistic breakfast and lunch buffets in meeting rooms.
  • Design and prepare decorated foods and arrangements for buffets.
  • Maintain an excellent level of professionalism and cleanliness to meet state and company regulations.
  • Contribute vision and creativity developing and directing culinary operations supporting a wide range of art shows and gallery events.
  • Direct a high-performing team of culinary associates in ensuring the seamless delivery of all production activities for upcoming functions.
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Chef/catering vs banquet chef skills

Common chef/catering skills
  • Culinary, 18%
  • Kitchen Equipment, 14%
  • Menu Planning, 13%
  • Food Safety, 6%
  • Food Handling, 6%
  • Chefs, 4%
Common banquet chef skills
  • Culinary, 14%
  • Food Preparation, 8%
  • Quality Standards, 7%
  • Banquet Kitchen, 6%
  • Food Quality, 4%
  • Cleanliness, 4%

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