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Catering Associate Jobs in Houston, TX (NOW HIRING)

Cafe and Catering Associate

Houston, TX · On-site

$18.50 - $20.50/hr

The Cafe and Catering Associate is responsible for catering the Houston Food Bank's banquet services and managing the café registers. This position setups up tables and food service areas for ...

Catering

The Woodlands, TX · On-site

$13 - $15/hr

The Catering Associate is responsible for the overall execution of daily catering responsibilities, ensuring quality and timeliness of deliveries to our Guests. As a Catering Associate, you're ...

Cafe and Catering Associate

Houston, TX · On-site

$18.50 - $20.50/hr

The Cafe and Catering Associate is responsible for catering the Houston Food Bank's banquet services and managing the café registers. This position setups up tables and food service areas for ...

Trains catering associates in service techniques, menu presentation, and customer service. * Tracks and monitors the labor and food cost for each event. * Communicates on various levels to include ...

Trains catering associates in service techniques, menu presentation, and customer service. * Tracks and monitors the labor and food cost for each event. * Communicates on various levels to include ...

Trains catering associates in service techniques, menu presentation, and customer service. * Tracks and monitors the labor and food cost for each event. * Communicates on various levels to include ...

Trains catering associates in service techniques, menu presentation, and customer service. * Tracks and monitors the labor and food cost for each event. * Communicates on various levels to include ...

Previous catering experience required. Food Handler's and Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission ... The decisions, actions and attitudes of our associates earn the trust and loyalty of our clients ...

* We are hiring immediately for a full time CATERING ATTENDANT position. * Location : Chevron ... Associates at Eurest are offered many fantastic benefits. Full-time and part-time positions offer ...

Catering Attendant - Toyota Center Pay Range : $15.00 to $15.00 We Make Applying Easy! Want to ... Associate Shopping Program * Health and Wellness Program * Discount Marketplace * Employee ...

* We are hiring immediately for a full time CATERING ATTENDANT position. * Location : Friedkin Group ... Associates at Eurest are offered many fantastic benefits. Full-time and part-time positions offer ...

* We are hiring immediately for full and part time CATERING ATTENDANT positions. * Location ... Associates at Eurest are offered many fantastic benefits. Full-time and part-time positions offer ...

Previous catering, banquet, hotel, and country club experience required. * Pay Range: $16.00 per ... Retirement Plan, Associate Shopping Program, Health and Wellness Programs, Discount Marketplace ...

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Catering Associate information

See Houston, TX salary details

$10

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How much do catering associate jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 30, 2026, the average hourly pay for catering associate in Houston, TX is $15.54, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $13.99 and $16.97 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.

What are the most commonly searched types of Catering jobs in Houston, TX?

The most popular types of Catering jobs in Houston, TX are:

What cities near Houston, TX are hiring for Catering Associate jobs?

Cities near Houston, TX with the most Catering Associate job openings:

Infographic showing various Catering Associate job openings in Houston, TX as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 70% Full Time, 25% Part Time, 3% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $32,325 per year, or $15.5 per hour.

Cafe and Catering Associate

Houston Food Bank

Houston, TX • On-site

$18.50 - $20.50/hr

Full-time

Posted 29 days ago


Job description

Description:


**Must be open to working a flexible work schedule with varying hours (5am-10pm), days or shifts (including nights, weekends) **   


POSITION SUMMARY:

The Cafe and Catering Associate is responsible for catering the Houston Food Bank’s banquet services and managing the café registers. This position setups up tables and food service areas for catering events, manages the café cash registers by greeting and welcoming guests, collecting payments, and providing pricing information. This position ensures a warm and welcoming guest experience to all Houston Food Bank customers. This role is required to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as scheduled.


Adhere to PACT values. (Purpose: Using our strengths passionately to contribute to our mission. Accountability: Choosing to rise above one’s circumstances and demonstrating ownership to achieve results. See It. Own It. Solve It. Do It. Courage: Standing up for what’s right and acting. Transparency: Doing things openly and honestly). 


ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

  1. Reliable, consistent, attendance is a requirement. This position requires punctuality and dependable attendance to meet the needs of the business, including attending and taking part in meetings and presentations.
  2. Collects payments.
  3. Answers customers questions about goods or services.
  4. Helps customers find products and pricing information.
  5. Issues receipts, refunds, credits, or changes due to customers.
  6. Greets customers entering and exiting the establishment.
  7. Monitors and balances the cash register. 
  8. Calculates and records the total amount of transactions. 
  9. Resolves and or escalates any complaints from customers to the supervisor.
  10. Maintains a clean work area and maintains personal hygiene.
  11. Communicates with staff involved with scheduling catering clients regarding menu requests, and special delivery requests. 
  12. Prepares, assembles, and sets up catering requests for delivery.
  13. Delivers, set ups, and service catered events.
  14. Cleans up and returns catered events to pantries. 
  15. Maintains an “on time” delivery schedule for catered events. 
  16. Acts as the “Guest Services Contact” between catered event participants and HFB.
  17. Organizes and maintains all conference area locations including storage areas.
  18. Keeps all equipment services ready and inventoried.
  19. Participates in assignments/projects, which achieve the established goals of HFB and the client.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

This position has no supervisory responsibilities.


Requirements:

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education/Experience:

  • High School Diploma from an accredited school or general education development (GED) certificate
  • 1 year of experience working in a kitchen or restaurant environment 
  • 1 year of customer service and cash handling experience 
  • 1+ years of catering experience preferred
  • 1+ years of barista experience preferred 

Certificates, Licenses, and Registrations:

NA


Special Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability needed. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. (For best performance, the job holder in this position would be expected to show the right knowledge, skills, and abilities in the listed areas.)

  • Knowledge of basic cooking and baking skills, culinary terms, commercial food service equipment & quantified cooking
  • Courtesy and tact in dealing with guests, co-workers, as well as others in the community
  • Ability to perform basic arithmetic, including the use of percentages
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills
  • Ability to work with a diverse population
  • Strong administrational, organization, and follow-through abilities
  • Strong internal and external customer interaction skills
  • Time management skills and the ability to multi-task

COMPLIANCE:

Carries out responsibilities in accordance with HFB policies.


REASONING ABILITY:

Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out detailed but uninvolved written or oral instructions. Ability to deal with problems involving a few concrete variables in standardized situations. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability needed. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. (For best performance, the jobholder in this position would be expected to show the right knowledge, skills, and abilities in the listed areas.)


COMPETENCIES:

Action-Oriented / Customer Focus / Drives for Results / Informing / Approachability / Learning on the 

Fly / Perseverance / Self-development / Listening / Peer Relationships / Integrity and Trust / Functional/Technical Skills


PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. While performing the duties of the job, the employee is required daily to analyze and interpret data, communicate, and remain in a standing or stationary position for a significant amount of the workday; and often access, input, and retrieve information from the computer and other office productivity devices. The employee must regularly move about the kitchen and around the facility, use hands, wrists, and fingers to grip, type, and write. The employee must frequently lift 25 pounds. The employee will need to have the average ability to hear horns, warnings, and alerts associated with a warehouse.  


WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The job is generally performed in a kitchen environment, the employee is frequently exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, strong food-related smells, and outside weather conditions. The noise level in the office environment is typically quiet, but the employee will be occasionally exposed to loud noise levels (e.g., horns, fans).


TRAVEL REQUIRED:

No travel is required for this role.


This role supports hours of operations at the Houston Food Bank facilities, as necessary, and may require flexibility (e.g., times of disaster, community events, company events).


*Is legally able to work in the United States.