Catering Minimum
A Catering Minimum is the lowest amount of money a client must spend on food and beverages for an event. This is a common requirement in the event planning industry, especially for venues and catering companies. When someone mentions "meeting the catering minimum" in their resume, it means they have experience managing event budgets and negotiating with vendors. Think of it like a minimum purchase requirement that helps catering companies ensure their services are profitable while covering their basic operational costs like staff, equipment, and food preparation.
Examples in Resumes
Consistently exceeded Catering Minimum requirements while staying within client budgets
Negotiated favorable Catering Mins for corporate events, saving 15% on costs
Managed events ranging from small meetings to galas, all meeting or exceeding Catering Minimums
Typical job title: "Event Managers"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Event Managers
Professional Associations
Job Boards
Online Communities
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How do you handle situations where clients are struggling to meet catering minimums?
Expected Answer: A senior event manager should discuss strategies like suggesting premium menu items, adding beverage packages, or incorporating additional services to help meet minimums while providing value to the client.
Q: How do you determine appropriate catering minimums for different types of events?
Expected Answer: Should demonstrate knowledge of factors like event size, type, timing, venue costs, staffing requirements, and market standards to set reasonable minimums.
Mid Level Questions
Q: What strategies do you use to explain catering minimums to clients?
Expected Answer: Should explain how they communicate the value proposition to clients, break down costs clearly, and provide options that help clients understand the benefits of meeting minimums.
Q: How do you balance meeting catering minimums with client budget constraints?
Expected Answer: Should discuss negotiation techniques, menu planning strategies, and creative solutions to help clients meet minimums while staying within their budget.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What is a catering minimum and why is it important?
Expected Answer: Should be able to explain that catering minimums are required spending amounts for food and beverage, helping ensure event profitability and covering basic operational costs.
Q: How do you track progress towards meeting a catering minimum during event planning?
Expected Answer: Should demonstrate basic understanding of budget tracking, menu pricing, and how to calculate running totals against the minimum requirement.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic understanding of catering minimums and pricing
- Menu planning fundamentals
- Basic budget tracking
- Client communication skills
Mid (2-5 years)
- Negotiation with vendors and clients
- Advanced budget management
- Menu customization
- Contract review and terms understanding
Senior (5+ years)
- Strategic pricing and minimum setting
- High-value client relationship management
- Complex event budget optimization
- Team leadership and training
Red Flags to Watch For
- No experience with budget management
- Lack of understanding of basic food and beverage costs
- Poor negotiation skills
- No knowledge of industry pricing standards
- Inability to explain minimum requirements to clients
