For more than 40 years, Quest Food Management Services has provided food service to K–12 schools, higher education institutions, corporate dining programs, and event venues.
Our approach centers on fresh, scratch-made food, local sourcing, exceptional hospitality, and personal service. At the heart of our organization is our Quest Ready culture, built on integrity, responsiveness, accountability, respect, and excellence.
Being Quest Ready means serving with purpose and care and creating experiences that are nourishing, welcoming, and reliable. Our teams build lasting relationships while continually raising the standard for hospitality in the communities we serve.
The Catering Manager leads the day-to-day operation and execution of catering services, from the initial client conversation through the successful completion and billing of each event.
This is a hands-on leadership role responsible for coordinating catering orders, preparing event documentation, managing event logistics and staffing, communicating with clients, and ensuring each event is delivered according to expectations and Quest standards.
The Catering Manager works closely with culinary teams, clients, vendors, and catering staff to ensure events are well planned, appropriately staffed, financially managed, and executed with exceptional service.
Meet with clients to understand their catering needs, event requirements, and preferences.
Manage catering orders and maintain clear communication with clients throughout the planning and execution process.
Prepare and complete Banquet Event Orders (BEOs), quotes, and other required event documentation.
Coordinate all aspects of catering events to ensure client specifications and Quest quality standards are met.
Handle client communications, contracts, and event-related details while providing exceptional customer service and building strong client relationships.
Ensure client credit card information is on file and coordinate billing on the day of or day following each event.
Plan, coordinate, and execute catering events from initial planning through completion.
Coordinate event logistics and staffing to ensure each catering event is appropriately supported.
Ensure catering orders are delivered and picked up in a timely manner.
Coordinate with suppliers and vendors to ensure the timely procurement of necessary food, beverages, supplies, and equipment.
Oversee food service operations during events to maintain consistency, presentation, and quality.
Ensure compliance with applicable health, safety, food handling, and sanitation requirements.
Lead the catering department and provide direction to hourly leads and catering staff.
Coordinate chefs, servers, and support personnel to provide efficient and professional event service.
Schedule and deploy staff based on event requirements and business needs.
Work closely with culinary and hospitality teams to ensure seamless event execution.
Maintain high service standards and provide leadership during event preparation and execution.
Collaborate with executive and head chefs on menu development and updates, incorporating seasonal ingredients and client preferences as appropriate.
Manage catering budgets, costs, and revenue to support profitable operations while maintaining service standards.
Monitor financial performance and identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency and profitability.
Bachelor's degree in Hospitality Management, Culinary Arts, Business Administration, or a related field
Minimum of 3 years of experience in catering management or a similar hospitality role
Experience with food and beverage operations, including menu planning and food service management
Knowledge of applicable food service health and safety requirements
Experience managing budgets, controlling costs, and analyzing revenue
Strong organizational and event coordination skills
Ability to effectively lead and coordinate teams in a fast-paced environment
Strong client service and communication skills
Food Safety or ServSafe certification
Experience partnering directly with executive or head chefs in a high-volume catering environment
Familiarity with event management software and catering technology
Advanced hospitality management and customer relationship management experience
Successful Catering Managers at Quest combine strong hospitality instincts with excellent organization and attention to detail. This role requires the ability to manage multiple events and priorities, communicate confidently with clients, lead teams effectively, and anticipate operational needs.
The ideal candidate is comfortable moving between client conversations, event planning, staff coordination, financial management, and hands-on event execution while maintaining a consistently high standard of service.
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Open Availabilities: Flexible: nights, weekends, early mornings
Quest Food Management Services began operations in Chicagoland in 1985 with a focus on providing fresh, scratch made food and intensely personal service to its communities.
Today, we have grown to 92M in annual revenue through our partnerships with over 150 accounts in the Midwest. We primarily serve the K-12 education segment, higher education, and business & industry. We have a depth of experience in facility and equipment design and construction, offer a wealth of expertise in nutrition, marketing, food safety and sanitation, staff management and community building.
Quest was recently ranked #31 in Food Management Magazine’s Top 50 Food Management Companies in the United States, and is one of the fastest growing companies in our industry.
