Government Catering Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Job Position: Catering Attendant

Wage: $21 - $23 per hour

Hours: Monday to Thursday 7am to 3:30pm (some earlier/later availability is needed, based on in-office events)

Location: Downtown Chicago , IL

Job Summary

As a Catering Attendant with Food For Thought, you will play a key role in delivering an elevated workplace hospitality experience within one of our client’s offices. As part of our Workspace Solutions team, you will support daily (Monday- Thursday) food operations.

The Catering Attendant works closely with the Food For Thought kitchen and warehouse teams to ensure smooth and efficient ordering and delivery process. This position also involves managing catering logistics, setting up and breaking down meeting spaces, maintaining pantry supplies, and ensuring the overall guest experience meets the highest standards of quality and hospitality.

Responsibilities

Kitchen & Breakroom Management

• Stock grab-and-go items, continental breakfast offerings, and pre-packaged snacks in multiple kitchen locations

• Replenish snacks throughout the day to ensure consistent availability and variety

• Ensure kitchens are fully stocked with plates, mugs, utensils, and other serviceware

• Conduct daily walkthroughs to collect dirty dishes, mugs, and utensils from desks and common areas

• Wash dishes using onsite equipment and handwashing as needed (including adapting to equipment limitations when necessary)

• Maintain cleanliness and organization of all kitchen, pantry, and storage areas, including sweeping and mopping as needed

• Remove trash, composting and recycling, including staging trash bags in designated areas for pickup

  Inventory & Ordering

• Monitor and maintain inventory levels of all café, pantry, and kitchen items

• Place orders for kitchen supplies and snacks based on usage and upcoming needs

• Ensure proper storage and rotation of all food items

• Print and update buffet signage, including tent cards and menu displays

• Gather and share feedback on meals and overall program performance with the Executive Chef and culinary team

• Collaborate on menu and program enhancements based on client feedback and trends

• Flexible and adaptable to changing priorities and event needs

Preferred Qualifications

• Team-oriented with a collaborative and proactive approach.

• Outgoing and professional demeanor with a strong commitment to customer satisfaction.

• Experience in a corporate hospitality or conference center environment.

Why We’re the Leaders

• Excellent training
• Employee Referral bonuses
• Flexible scheduling
• Career advancement opportunities
• Competitive Pay
• Anniversary Milestone Incentives

Company Values & Culture

• Collaboration & Open Communication

• Diverse, Inclusive, Safe, and Motivating

• Our Triple Bottom Line – People, Product and Planet

• A Net Positive Organization

Grow with us! - at Food For Thought, instruction, advice, and assistance are always readily available, which is why our average tenure is 5 years. The U.S. average is 4.3 years, while the Hospitality industry average is only 2 years!

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk, hear, move, reach, grab, and stand for long periods of time. As well as stooping, kneeling, crouching, and climbing ladders. The employee will regularly be required to lift and carry items of 40+ pounds for a moderate distance. While performing the duties of this job, the employee will occasionally be exposed to heavy equipment such as delivery vehicles or fork trucks.

EEO Statement

Food For Thought provides equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all applicants and employees, regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, marital status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, and any other characteristic protected by applicable local, state, and federal laws and regulations.

E-Verify Participation

Food For Thought participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.

If E-Verify cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, this employer is required to give you written instructions and an opportunity to contact Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or Social Security Administration (SSA) so you can begin to resolve the issue before the employer can take any action against you, including terminating your employment. Employers can only use E-Verify once you have accepted a job offer and completed the Form I-9. For more information on E-Verify, or if you believe that your employer has violated its E-Verify responsibilities, please contact DHS.