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Catering Assistant Jobs in Riverside, IL (NOW HIRING)

Panera Bread

Catering Lead

Wilmette, IL · On-site

$16 - $19.25/hr

Marketing Panera Catering to local area businesses, schools and events. * Assist and support your Managers and Team Members as needed. * Help build our Culture of warmth, belonging, growth, and trust.

Panera Bread

Catering Lead

Addison, IL

$16 - $19.25/hr

Marketing Panera Catering to local area businesses, schools and events. * Assist and support your Managers and Team Members as needed. * Help build our Culture of warmth, belonging, growth, and trust.

Panera Bread

Catering Lead

Elmwood Park, IL

$16 - $19.25/hr

Marketing Panera Catering to local area businesses, schools and events. * Assist and support your Managers and Team Members as needed. * Help build our Culture of warmth, belonging, growth, and trust.

Panera Bread

Catering Lead

Chicago, IL · On-site

$17 - $20.25/hr

Marketing Panera Catering to local area businesses, schools and events. * Assist and support your Managers and Team Members as needed. * Help build our Culture of warmth, belonging, growth, and trust.

Panera Bread

Catering Lead

Mount Prospect, IL · On-site

$16 - $19.25/hr

Marketing Panera Catering to local area businesses, schools and events. * Assist and support your Managers and Team Members as needed. * Help build our Culture of warmth, belonging, growth, and trust.

Panera Bread

Catering Lead

Naperville, IL · On-site

$16 - $19.25/hr

Marketing Panera Catering to local area businesses, schools and events. * Assist and support your Managers and Team Members as needed. * Help build our Culture of warmth, belonging, growth, and trust.

Panera Bread

Catering Lead

Orland Park, IL · On-site

$16 - $19.25/hr

Marketing Panera Catering to local area businesses, schools and events. * Assist and support your Managers and Team Members as needed. * Help build our Culture of warmth, belonging, growth, and trust.

Panera Bread

Catering Lead

Homewood, IL · On-site

$16 - $19.25/hr

Marketing Panera Catering to local area businesses, schools and events. * Assist and support your Managers and Team Members as needed. * Help build our Culture of warmth, belonging, growth, and trust.

Panera Bread

Catering Lead

Downers Grove, IL · On-site

$16 - $19.25/hr

Marketing Panera Catering to local area businesses, schools and events. * Assist and support your Managers and Team Members as needed. * Help build our Culture of warmth, belonging, growth, and trust.

Panera Bread

Catering Lead

Chicago, IL

$17 - $20.25/hr

Marketing Panera Catering to local area businesses, schools and events. * Assist and support your Managers and Team Members as needed. * Help build our Culture of warmth, belonging, growth, and trust.

Panera Bread

Catering Lead

Homewood, IL · On-site

$16 - $19.25/hr

Marketing Panera Catering to local area businesses, schools and events. * Assist and support your Managers and Team Members as needed. * Help build our Culture of warmth, belonging, growth, and trust.

Panera Bread

Catering Lead

Schaumburg, IL · On-site

$16 - $19.25/hr

Marketing Panera Catering to local area businesses, schools and events. * Assist and support your Managers and Team Members as needed. * Help build our Culture of warmth, belonging, growth, and trust.

Panera Bread

Catering Lead

Des Plaines, IL · On-site

$17 - $20.25/hr

Marketing Panera Catering to local area businesses, schools and events. * Assist and support your Managers and Team Members as needed. * Help build our Culture of warmth, belonging, growth, and trust.

Panera Bread

Catering Lead

Norridge, IL · On-site

$17 - $20.25/hr

Marketing Panera Catering to local area businesses, schools and events. * Assist and support your Managers and Team Members as needed. * Help build our Culture of warmth, belonging, growth, and trust.

Panera Bread

Catering Lead

Wheaton, IL · On-site

$16 - $19.25/hr

Marketing Panera Catering to local area businesses, schools and events. * Assist and support your Managers and Team Members as needed. * Help build our Culture of warmth, belonging, growth, and trust.

Panera Bread

Catering Lead

Chicago, IL · On-site

$17 - $20.25/hr

Marketing Panera Catering to local area businesses, schools and events. * Assist and support your Managers and Team Members as needed. * Help build our Culture of warmth, belonging, growth, and trust.

Panera Bread

Catering Lead

Bloomingdale, IL · On-site

$16 - $19.25/hr

Marketing Panera Catering to local area businesses, schools and events. * Assist and support your Managers and Team Members as needed. * Help build our Culture of warmth, belonging, growth, and trust.

Panera Bread

Catering Lead

La Grange Park, IL · On-site

$16 - $19.25/hr

Marketing Panera Catering to local area businesses, schools and events. * Assist and support your Managers and Team Members as needed. * Help build our Culture of warmth, belonging, growth, and trust.

Panera Bread

Catering Lead

Chicago, IL · On-site

$17 - $20.25/hr

Marketing Panera Catering to local area businesses, schools and events. * Assist and support your Managers and Team Members as needed. * Help build our Culture of warmth, belonging, growth, and trust.

Panera Bread

Catering Lead

Elk Grove Village, IL · On-site

$16 - $19.25/hr

Marketing Panera Catering to local area businesses, schools and events. * Assist and support your Managers and Team Members as needed. * Help build our Culture of warmth, belonging, growth, and trust.

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$16

$21

How much do catering assistant jobs pay per hour?

As of May 30, 2026, the average hourly pay for catering assistant in Riverside, IL is $16.14, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $13.80 and $18.12 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What Is a Catering Assistant?

A catering assistant assists the lead caterer and supports other employees while serving food at catered events. As a catering assistant, your job duties involve planning events, managing orders, stocking supplies, preparing food and drink, serving guests, cleaning the kitchen, and handling bill inquiries. This career requires both customer service and food prep experience. Additional qualifications include strong communication skills, knowledge of safe food handling and personal hygiene, and the ability to work in a fast-paced environment. Many states require that all food workers, including catering assistants, receive food safety training and certification.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Catering Assistant, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Catering Assistant, you need basic food preparation skills, knowledge of food safety standards, and often a high school diploma or equivalent. Familiarity with commercial kitchen equipment, point-of-sale (POS) systems, and food hygiene certifications such as a Food Handler Certificate are typically required. Strong teamwork, attention to detail, and excellent customer service skills help you excel in fast-paced, client-focused environments. These skills ensure efficient service delivery, food safety compliance, and positive client experiences at catering events.

What are some common challenges faced by Catering Assistants during large events, and how can they be managed?

Catering Assistants often face challenges such as managing high volumes of guests, maintaining food quality, and ensuring timely service during large events. Effective teamwork, clear communication with kitchen staff and supervisors, and strong organizational skills are essential to handle these situations smoothly. Being proactive in replenishing supplies, staying attentive to guests' needs, and remaining calm under pressure can significantly improve the overall catering experience and help manage these challenges efficiently.

What does a Catering Assistant do?

A Catering Assistant supports the preparation, presentation, and serving of food and drinks at events or in food service establishments. Their duties often include setting up dining areas, assisting chefs with basic food prep, serving guests, and cleaning up after events. They may also help with inventory management and ensure food safety standards are met. The role is vital for smooth catering operations and delivering excellent customer service.

What is the difference between Catering Assistant vs Kitchen Porter?

AspectCatering AssistantKitchen Porter
Primary RoleAssisting with food service, customer interaction, and event setupCleaning, dishwashing, and basic kitchen support
Work EnvironmentRestaurants, catering events, hotelsCommercial kitchens, restaurants, catering facilities
Required SkillsCustomer service, basic food handlingCleaning, manual labor, basic kitchen knowledge

The main difference is that Catering Assistants focus on customer service and food presentation, while Kitchen Porters handle cleaning and kitchen support tasks. Both roles are essential in food service environments but serve different functions within the team.

More about Catering Assistant jobs
What job categories do people searching Catering Assistant jobs in Riverside, IL look for? The top searched job categories for Catering Assistant jobs in Riverside, IL are:
What cities near Riverside, IL are hiring for Catering Assistant jobs? Cities near Riverside, IL with the most Catering Assistant job openings:
Catering Assistant jobs near you
Catering Lead

Catering Lead

Panera Bread

Wilmette, IL • On-site

$16 - $19.25/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 19 days ago

Panera Bread rating

5.4

Company rating: 5.4 out of 10

Based on 1,421 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

10th of 16 rated cafes

Job description

Catering Lead
At Panera, our people come first. If you're looking for a place where you can grow, feel supported, be yourself, enjoy great perks, and have a little fun along the way-you're in the right spot. We're here to help you succeed every day, in every way.
Get ready to rise and come join the fun where you will be a part of making the familiar fantastic! Because at Panera, the best thing of bread is sharing it!
What's In It for You?
  • Competitive pay & eligible for team tips
  • Free on-shift meals & unlimited fountain beverages
  • Flexible & reliable scheduling
  • Paid vacation, sick time, and holidays for full-time team members
  • Medical, dental, vision, life insurance, pet insurance & 401(k) with match available
  • Career advancement & leadership development opportunities
  • Tuition discounts
  • Perks & rewards for team members
  • Team member assistance program
  • And much, much more!

As a Catering Lead at Panera, you play a crucial role in our catering operations. You help guests plan and choose delicious, familiar and fantastic Panera dishes for their events, respond to their inquiries and requirements, and guarantee hassle-free hosting with craveable food delivered promptly and accurately.
As a Catering Lead at Panera, Your Role Includes:
  • Manage and produce catering orders for our guests.
  • Create memorable experiences with warm, friendly service, effective communication, and proactive follow-ups to ensure every guest leaves satisfied.
  • Assist with delivering orders to guests' events.
  • Strictly adhere to health and food safety standards.
  • Maintain Panera's exceptional standards for craveable food quality.
  • Build excitement and interest in Panera's products and services.
  • Marketing Panera Catering to local area businesses, schools and events.
  • Assist and support your Managers and Team Members as needed.
  • Help build our Culture of warmth, belonging, growth, and trust.

This Opportunity Is for You If:
  • Minimum age: 18 years of age.
  • Complete basic food safety understanding and practice training. (Food Handler's Card, as required by law).
  • Enjoy people and have effective communication skills.
  • A self-starter who can meet goals with limited supervision.
  • Excellent organizational and time-management skills.
  • Must have your own vehicle that you can use for delivering orders and an acceptable driving record.
  • This role requires an individual that can safely operate a passenger motor vehicle and has an acceptable driving record.
  • This role requires flexible hours, including nights and weekends in a fast-paced environment with shifting priorities.
    • Ability to lift, carry, push, or pull objects 25-50 pounds.
    • Capability to stand and walk for up to 3 hours.
    • Must be able to clearly communicate and quickly understand guests and associates' directions in a loud environment.
  • Be an ambassador of our Guiding Values and Behaviors by making people smile, learning and growing together, finding solutions and taking initiative, working (and winning) as a team, having fun and celebrating success, and seeing the best in others!

Equal Opportunity Employer: Disabled/Veterans
Competitive pay: $16.00-$19.25
The actual pay offered will be determined by multiple factors, including but not limited to the candidate's relevant experience, job-related knowledge, skills, and geographical location. Individual compensation decisions are dependent upon the facts and circumstances of each position and candidate.
600639 Wilmette, IL - Wilmette Avenue

What Panera Bread employees say

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About Panera Bread

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Panera began in 1987 as St. Louis Bread Company, a humble community bakery founded with a sourdough starter from San Francisco and a dream of putting a loaf of bread in every arm. While our business has expanded well beyond St. Louis since then, that same sourdough starter is still used in our iconic sourdough bread and the craft of baking bread fresh each day remains at the heart of Panera Bread. Each day our trained bakers fill our bakery shelves with delicious freshly baked cookies, pastries, bagels, and a range of breads from focaccia to classic baguettes. We believe in serving delicious, freshly prepared, Clean food made with carefully selected ingredients that we are proud to serve our own families. Our menu, crafted by chefs and bakers, features classic, comforting dishes, each with an intriguing twist. We respect our planet and take measures to lessen our impacts. We believe in treating people with warmth, kindness, and respect, whether it’s a guest in our cafe or one of our associates. And we believe in helping our local communities, especially in times of need.

Industry

Restaurants

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Saint Louis, MO, US

Year founded

1981

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