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Private Catering Jobs in Reston, VA (NOW HIRING)

SOSi

Dining/Catering Manager

Reston, VA · On-site

Company Description Founded in 1989, SOSi is among the largest private, founder-owned technology ... The Dining & Catering Manager plays a critical role in sustaining workforce readiness and ...

SOSi

Dining/Catering Manager

Reston, VA · On-site

Company Description Founded in 1989, SOSi is among the largest private, founder-owned technology ... The Dining & Catering Manager plays a critical role in sustaining workforce readiness and ...

Private Listing

Line Cook

Annandale, VA

$18 - $24/hr

Experience in high-volume restaurants, buffets, catering, or corporate dining is a plus. * Strong knife skills and knowledge of basic cooking methods such as grilling, roasting, sautéing, and frying.

Elizabeth's

Executive Chef

Washington, DC · On-site

$110K - $120K/yr

These events are typically short plated corporate dinners or intimate private dinners. Average guest counts range from 8 people to 40 for our usual catered plated dinners, and the majority of ...

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Private Catering information

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in private catering, and why are they important?

To thrive in Private Catering, you should possess strong culinary skills, organizational abilities, and experience in menu planning or event coordination, often supported by relevant culinary certificates or hospitality training. Familiarity with food safety regulations, kitchen equipment, and inventory management systems is typically required. Exceptional communication, time management, and problem-solving abilities are valuable soft skills, as is the capacity to remain calm under pressure. These competencies ensure high-quality service, client satisfaction, and successful execution of tailored catering events.

What is a private catering?

A private catering job involves preparing and serving food for exclusive events such as weddings, parties, corporate gatherings, or intimate dinners. Caterers work closely with clients to customize menus, accommodate dietary preferences, and ensure a seamless dining experience. Responsibilities can include cooking, serving, setting up dining areas, and cleaning up afterward. Private catering professionals may work independently or as part of a catering company, offering a tailored and high-quality food service.

What does a typical workday look like for someone in private catering?

A typical workday in Private Catering involves preparing customized menus, sourcing fresh ingredients, coordinating with clients to finalize event details, and ensuring timely setup and service at various venues. You may also manage a team, oversee food safety practices, and handle last-minute changes or special requests. Collaboration with event planners, servers, and sometimes vendors is common to ensure seamless event execution. Flexibility is essential, as hours can vary based on event schedules, client availability, and seasonal demand. This role offers a dynamic, hands-on work environment that combines culinary expertise with client interaction.

What are popular job titles related to Private Catering jobs in Reston, VA? For Private Catering jobs in Reston, VA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Private Catering jobs in Reston, VA look for? The top searched job categories for Private Catering jobs in Reston, VA are:
What cities near Reston, VA are hiring for Private Catering jobs? Cities near Reston, VA with the most Private Catering job openings:
Private Catering jobs near you
Infographic showing various Private Catering job openings in Reston, VA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 67% Full Time, and 33% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution.

Catering and Sales Manager

Thompson Hospitality Corporation

Reston, VA • On-site

$54K - $69K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 3 days ago

Thompson Hospitality rating

6.0

Company rating: 6.0 out of 10

Based on 7 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

Job description

Overview
Thompson Hospitality is hiring a Catering and Sales Manager. At Thompson Hospitality, we deliver memorable dining and event experiences with a commitment to excellence, hospitality, and flawless execution. We're seeking a driven and dynamic Catering & Private Events Manager to support and grow a high-volume catering and private events program across multiple locations.
This role is on the front lines of the inquiry process and on-site at events, supporting high-quality events with responsiveness, precision, and professionalism. It is an excellent opportunity for a hospitality professional looking to grow into senior events or brand leadership roles, while actively building new business and long-term client relationships.
Responsibilities
Position Summary
The Catering & Private Events Manager supports one or more brands in the sales and oversight of group dining, semi-private, private dining events, and catering across multiple restaurant locations in the DMV area, with a focus on both servicing inbound inquiries and proactively developing new business.
Responsibilities include prompt response to inquiries, attentive client interaction, clear written and verbal communication, event coordination, data administration, and overall delivery of exceptional guest experiences. This role requires flexibility, organization, and the ability to work across corporate offices and restaurant locations, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.
Key Responsibilities
Sales & Client Management
  • Support and manage the sales process for group dining, private events, and catering through prompt response, accurate data collection, and professional communication
  • Serve as the primary point of contact for private dining and catering clients from inquiry through post-event follow-up
  • Proactively pursue new catering and private events business through outreach, networking, and relationship-building
  • Develop and maintain relationships with corporate, social, and community clients to generate repeat and referral business
  • Identify new market opportunities, accounts, and partnerships to expand the events pipeline
  • Communicate opportunities, priorities, and needs to the Director in a timely manner

Event Planning & Execution
  • Coordinate event details including menus, timelines, layouts, staffing, and logistics
  • Arrange and lead client walkthroughs
  • Act as on-site client liaison during events as needed
  • Collaborate with culinary and operations teams to ensure seamless execution

Administrative & Financial Support
  • Proactively and accurately update estimates, guarantees, and final bills
  • Produce weekly and monthly reports
  • Administer subcontracted vendors and contracts and ensure timely payment

Standards & Guest Experience
  • Ensure compliance with health, safety, and sanitation standards
  • Support guest satisfaction, repeat business, and referrals through attention to detail

Schedule & Work Environment
This position requires a flexible schedule including nights, weekends, and holidays based on event bookings. In-office and on-site work across multiple restaurant locations is required.
Qualifications
  • 2+ years' experience in hospitality, restaurants, catering, or hotels
  • Valid driver's license and reliable transportation
  • Strong customer service, organization, and problem-solving skills
  • Ability to communicate clearly and prioritize under pressure
  • Experience with Toast, OpenTable, and TripleSeat a plus
  • ServSafe and/or alcohol service certification preferred

Who We Are:
Thompson Hospitality is of the largest restaurants, food service, and facilities management companies in the country. We are highly built upon our values, do the right thing, do the best you can, and treat others how you want to be treated, which are shaped by more than 33 years of relationships with our clients, guests, and communities. We offer competitive benefits, see our website for more. https://www.thompsonhospitality.com/
We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity. All employment decisions are made based on qualifications, merit, and business needs. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or any other protected status under applicable federal, state, or local laws.

What Thompson Hospitality employees say

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Benefits

Hours and flexibility

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About Thompson Hospitality

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Thompson Hospitality is the nation's largest minority-owned food and facilities management company. Our services include hospitality, full dining and quick service restaurants, campus dining, diversity consultation, facility operations and maintenance management. We are a family-run organization with more than twenty-five years providing services built on our core mission to provide a positive experience to every relationship we are involved in: one guest, one client, one team member at a time. As a fast growing company, we have a growth plan to more than double in size over the next three years. We are looking for team members who are interested in developing their careers to the next level while joining our team of over 4,000 employees, serving clients in over 40 states to include more than 1.9 million guests each year.

Industry

Hospitality services

Company size

1,001 - 5,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Reston, VA, US

Year founded

1992

Social media

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