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Catering Associate Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Strack and Van Til

Catering Clerk

Highland, IN · On-site

Job Summary Seeking a dedicated, customer-focused Part-Time Catering Clerk to join our team. In this role, you'll play a key part in creating positive experiences for our catering customers by ...

Restaurant Associates

Catering Sales Manager

Chicago, IL · On-site

$37K/mo

Commission Plan (Upwards of $37,000+, Uncapped Earning Potential) Become part of Restaurant Associates, the industry's leading provider of dining and event catering for some of the nation's most ...

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Catering Associate information

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How much do catering associate jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 23, 2026, the average hourly pay for catering associate in Chicago, IL is $16.23, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.62 and $17.74 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a catering associate?

Catering Associates are professionals who assist with the preparation, setup, and service of food and beverages for events such as meetings, parties, or large gatherings. Their responsibilities typically include arranging tables, setting up buffets, serving guests, and ensuring that food safety standards are met. They may also help with the cleanup after events and coordinate with kitchen staff to ensure smooth service. Catering Associates play a key role in creating a positive experience for event attendees by providing efficient and friendly service.

What does a catering associate do?

A catering associate serves food and drinks to customers at special events hosted by a catering company, such as a party or wedding. As a catering associate, your job duties include taking guests’ orders, maintaining the buffets, and refilling beverages. Although you do not need formal education to become a catering associate, the position typically requires on-the-job training and excellent customer service skills. Additional qualifications include relevant work experience and multi-tasking ability. You may also obtain a certificate or associate degree in catering to help advance your career in the foodservice industry.

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

To thrive as a Catering Associate, you need strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and experience in food service or hospitality, often supported by a high school diploma or equivalent. Familiarity with food safety standards, point-of-sale (POS) systems, and inventory management tools is typically required. Outstanding communication, teamwork, and customer service skills help you manage client needs and collaborate with colleagues effectively. These skills ensure seamless event execution and high customer satisfaction in a fast-paced catering environment.

What are some typical challenges faced by catering associates during large events and how can they be managed?

Catering Associates often face challenges such as managing time-sensitive food service, handling last-minute changes to event details, and ensuring all dietary requirements are met. To manage these effectively, it's important to stay organized, communicate closely with the kitchen and event coordinators, and maintain flexibility in responding to guests' needs. Developing strong teamwork and problem-solving skills can help Catering Associates navigate these situations smoothly and ensure a positive experience for clients and guests.

What is the difference between Catering Associate vs Catering Server?

AspectCatering AssociateCatering Server
ResponsibilitiesAssisting with event setup, food preparation, and customer serviceServing food and beverages, attending to guests, and clearing tables
Required SkillsCustomer service, teamwork, basic food handlingCustomer service, food handling, communication skills
Work EnvironmentEvent venues, catering companies, outdoor eventsEvent venues, banquets, private parties
CertificationsFood safety certification often preferredFood safety certification often required

While both roles involve working in catering settings, Catering Associates typically assist with event setup and food prep, whereas Catering Servers focus on serving guests and attending to their needs during events. Both positions require customer service skills and food safety knowledge, but their specific duties differ based on the event stage and responsibilities.

What are the positions in catering?

In catering, common positions include Catering Assistant, Catering Server, Banquet Server, Catering Supervisor, and Catering Manager. These roles involve food service, event setup, customer interaction, and coordination, often requiring teamwork and communication skills. Certifications like food safety may be beneficial for some positions.

What is the highest position in catering associate?

The highest position for a catering associate typically is a Catering Supervisor or Catering Manager, responsible for overseeing event operations, managing staff, and coordinating client services. Advancement often requires experience, leadership skills, and sometimes relevant certifications in hospitality or food service management.

What qualifications does a catering associate need?

A catering associate typically needs a high school diploma or equivalent and strong customer service skills. Prior experience in food service or hospitality is often preferred, and knowledge of food safety standards and basic food handling is beneficial. Certifications such as ServSafe may be required or advantageous depending on the employer.
More about Catering Associate jobs

What are the most commonly searched types of Catering jobs in Chicago, IL?

The most popular types of Catering jobs in Chicago, IL are:

What cities near Chicago, IL are hiring for Catering Associate jobs?

Cities near Chicago, IL with the most Catering Associate job openings:

Catering Associate jobs near you
Infographic showing various Catering Associate job openings in Chicago, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 71% Full Time, 26% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 95% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $33,756 per year, or $16.2 per hour.

Catering Associate - Food Service Department, Part-time, Evenings

Northwestern Memorial Hospital

Chicago, IL • On-site

Part-time

Re-posted 9 days ago

Northwestern Memorial Hospital rating

7.5

Company rating: 7.5 out of 10

Based on 87 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

261st of 1,061 rated hospitals

Job description

Description

  • Part-time Hours: 24 Hours Per Week
  • Evening Shift: 2:00 PM - 8:00 PM or from 2:30 PM - 8:30 PM (Works Every Weekend and Works Holidays)
  • Location: Feinberg/Galter; FL BS

The Catering Associate reflects the mission, vision, and values of Northwestern Medicine, adheres to the organization's Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program and complies with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines and all other regulatory and accreditation standards.

The Catering Associate supports the Department of Food & Nutrition by providing patient meal service to include: patient menu selection, tray assembly and delivery and retrieval of patient trays. This role is responsible for timeliness, accuracy and the safe food handling of trays and items to designated patient care areas. The Catering Associate supports service excellence standard to include but not limited to patient satisfaction rounds, service recovery and excellent communication with management team to ensure patient satisfaction. The Catering Associate is expected to adhere to and practice guidelines in regards to Best Patient Experience Philosophy.

Responsibilities:

  • Must be able to follow oral and written instructions such as policies and procedures 
  • Performs a variety of work and follows procedures consisting of several steps or that require judgment in completing a sequence of tasks
  • Must be able to read and comprehend patient menus
  • Takes patients menu selections prior to each meal
  • Adheres to diet and allergy restrictions for patient food orders 
  • Must be knowledgeable of diet restrictions and comfortably answer questions
  • Offers alternatives to menu allowed on prescribed diet in accordance with allergies, sensitivities, cultural, ethnic and religious preferences when patient inquires or needs additional selections (following provided guidelines)
  • Assembles trays according to patients menu on ticket in a timely and accurate manner
  • Follows tray presentation and condiment standards
  • Serves and retrieves patient trays from patient rooms in a courteous and professional manner
  • Accurately delivers trays to patients and visitors according to established procedures
  • Conducts Catering Rounds as instructed to ensure patient satisfaction  
  • Must display a "Can-Do" - Service Excellence mindset
  • Follows facility and departmental infection control policies and procedures
  • Retrieves trays within one hour of service
  • Observes HIPAA and Patient Identification guidelines
  • Must be able to work safely; moving carts, observing Security procedures, proper utilization of elevator
  • Cleans and sanitizes coffee carts daily
  • Performs assigned tasks efficiently during meal service to maintain accurate and expeditious service.
  • Exhibits pleasant and cheerful demeanor and maintains a helpful attitude towards employees, physicians, nursing staff, patients and visitors  
  • Communicates any patient related problems/concerns to appropriate personnel, in a timely manner following departmental procedures
  • Follows established food-handling practices to maintain food safety standards and comply with infection control procedures
  • Delivers floor stock daily according to pars
  • Completes daily documentation of floor stock, tray and other floor deliveries accurately for accounting and quality purposes
  • Rotates floor stock according to food safety procedures
  • Documents refrigeration temperatures daily in patient pantries that contain floor stock
  • Maintains galleys in safe, clean and organized  manner
  • Operates equipment properly, safely and efficiently according to established procedures
  • Reports all damaged and unsafe equipment to management
  • Completes all assigned cleaning by end of each work shift to include but not limited to detailed cleaning  
  • Cleans assigned areas and equipment according to standards and utilization of proper cleaning chemicals
  • Maintains work station area in clean and orderly manner
  • Completes routine projects or detail cleaning duties as assigned
  • Attends department in-services and meetings 
  • Completes Hospital required training and surveys
  • May assist in Dishroom, Servers as needed
  • Follow established break schedule unless otherwise directed by manager
  • Maintains supplies and equipment to ensure efficiency, including portioning, dating, and storage of food
  • Maintains established levels of supplies for work area
  • Notifies management of workload status and availability for additional assignments or need of additional assistance
  • Assists in the orientation of new employees in the department by demonstrating basic duties of job
  • Responds to management requests in a positive and timely manner
  • Performs other duties as assigned

AA/EOE.

Qualifications

Required:

  • Two years of service experience
  • Good interpersonal and communication skills
  • Maintains positive and friendly manner during peak service times with focus on timeliness, accuracy and Service Excellence
  • Complete Catering to You Training modules and pass competency test

Preferred:

  • High School Graduate or GED
  • Food Handling Certification Health Department - City of Chicago

Equal Opportunity

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

Northwestern Medicine is an equal opportunity employer (disability, VETS) and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation or any other protected status.

Background Check

Northwestern Medicine conducts a background check that includes criminal history on newly hired team members and, at times, internal transfers. If you are offered a position with us, you will be required to complete an authorization and disclosure form that gives Northwestern Medicine permission to run the background check.  Results are evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and we follow all local, state, and federal laws, including the Illinois Health Care Worker Background Check Act.

Artificial Intelligence Disclosure

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position, however, all employment decisions will be made by a person. 

Benefits

We offer a wide range of benefits that provide employees with tools and resources to improve their physical, emotional, and financial well-being while providing protection for unexpected life events. Please visit our Benefits section to learn more.

Sign-on Bonus Eligibility (if sign-on bonus offered for position): Internal employees and rehires who left Northwestern Medicine within 1 year are not eligible for the sign on bonus. Exception: New graduate internal employees seeking their first licensed clinical position at NM may be eligible depending upon the job family. 

Qualifications:

Required:

  • Two years of service experience
  • Good interpersonal and communication skills
  • Maintains positive and friendly manner during peak service times with focus on timeliness, accuracy and Service Excellence
  • Complete Catering to You Training modules and pass competency test

Preferred:

  • High School Graduate or GED
  • Food Handling Certification Health Department - City of Chicago
Education:Not in Patient Care Giver RoleEmployment Type: Part-time

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