Course
Secrets of the Caterer
Name
SEF-3001IE
Available Classes
Not currently offered.
Description Course Outline Requirements Intended Audience More Details
Intended Audience
This course is intended for the general public.
Description
Catering is a business that has become very popular, especially for those who love to cook and plan parties. From weddings, to showers, to business parties, catering is a home-based business that gives the caterer an exciting and creative career. In this introductory course, you will learn how to put your cooking and party planning skills to work.
Course Objectives
  1. have learned how to build your personal pantry so that you always have the right tools on hand for any kind of catering activity.
  2. have learned how to arrange and present food in creative ways. You'll find out about easy and effective garnishes and how to work with them.
  3. have learned the secrets caterers use to prepare delicious main courses.
Outline of Instruction
  1. Wednesday - Lesson 01

    Have you dreamed of having fun and making money while cooking delicious food? Well, dream no more! Today we're going to learn all about the wonderful world of catering. You'll find out what the catering business is really like. We'll look into the ups and downs of having a home-based business. You'll get to explore your personal skill set. And finally, you'll do some cooking.
  2. Friday - Lesson 02

    Chefs often say that the key to great cooking is using quality ingredients. But what exactly are quality ingredients any way? After today, you'll know what they are and how to choose them. You'll also learn how to build your personal pantry so that you always have the right tools on hand for any kind of catering activity. And you'll get what every caterer needs: several exciting and delicious recipes.
  3. Wednesday - Lesson 03

    Since we're first attracted to food with our eyes, delicious food also needs to be beautiful. In this lesson, you'll discover techniques for making any dish visually attractive. You'll learn how to arrange and present food in creative ways. You'll find out about easy and effective garnishes and how to work with them. And then you'll get to practice your new skills with several recipes.
  4. Friday - Lesson 04

    Appetizers and hors d' oeuvres are an important part of any catered meal. So in this lesson, you'll learn how to pair appetizers and hors d' oeuvres with entrées. You'll see how to make them attractive and how to present them to your guests. And last, but not least, you'll get several tried-and-true appetizers and hors d' oeuvres recipes.
  5. Wednesday - Lesson 05

    Today you'll learn the secrets caterers use to prepare delicious main courses. You'll find out how to choose the best main course, select the right ingredients for them, and serve them to your guests. And you'll have the opportunity to prepare several main courses.
  6. Friday - Lesson 06

    From brownies to cheesecake, everyone loves dessert! So today we'll explore different kinds of desserts and how to choose the right one for your event. You'll learn a number of dessert-making secrets and you'll have an opportunity to prepare several of them.
  7. Wednesday - Lesson 07

    Drinks are an important part of any meal. As a caterer, you'll always want to serve beverages that are refreshing and unique. So in this lesson, you'll learn all about teas, coffees, and punches. You'll get delicious recipes you can try and you'll see how to garnish drinks for that extra special touch.
  8. Friday - Lesson 08

    Stemware, flatware, dishes, oh my! Don't worry: serving dishes don't have to be cause for great concern. With just a few tips and tricks under your belt, you'll learn how to choose the best serving dishes and flatware for any occasion. Today you'll see how to keep things practical, but still make everything beautiful. You'll also learn how to formally arrange flatware for any occasion. And of course, you'll get more recipes.
  9. Wednesday - Lesson 09

    Condiments and sides are a critical part of a great meal. They can also be a big headache. But with the skills you'll learn today, you'll be able to provide condiments and sides without any fuss. You'll find out how to serve them easily, safely, and without a bunch of problems.
  10. Friday - Lesson 10

    Menu planning may seem a bit overwhelming. After all, combining the right items with the right event can be difficult. But you can master this planning skill! In this lesson, you'll learn to create the perfect menu for the perfect event. You'll see how you can manage menu items and keep your menu from becoming boring or too complicated. You'll even find a number of sample menus and recipes you can use for your events.
  11. Wednesday - Lesson 11

    Since catering is a business, you'll need to manage expenses and turn a profit. Today, we'll cover managing the business of catering. You'll learn how to price menus, figure profit, track your income and expenses, create contracts, and arrive at a healthy bottom line. You'll also find out how to set personal boundaries and take care of yourself so that your catering business doesn't overwhelm your life.
  12. Friday - Lesson 12

    In this lesson, we'll walk through a day in the life of a caterer. You'll see how to work with your client, how to help your client choose the right food, and how to get a signed contract and down payment. Next, you'll discover how to organize your time, plan the event, and deliver your first job with great success. Using what you learn today, you'll be able to plan and complete your first catering job!
Contact Hours
24
CEU's
No
Industry Standard, State, or National Certification
No
CE to CU Articulation
No
Prerequisites
Text and Supplies Needed
Requirements
• Internet access
• Email
• One of the following browsers:
o Mozilla Firefox
o Microsoft Internet Explorer (9.0 or above)
o Google Chrome
o Safari
• Adobe PDF plug-in (a free download obtained at Adobe.com .)


Note: Food preparation laws and licensing vary from state-to-state. It is important to always check your local and state government for licensing information and restrictions.
Clinical Site/Special Facilities
Requirements for Successful Completion of this Course
  1. Attendance 80% or above
  2. Participation
  3. Students must score 70% or better on 10 quizzes or 70% or better on the final exam.
Accreditation/Special Approval Requirements
Intended Audience
This course is intended for the general public.
Specific Industry or Business Support Needs
Industry or Job Titles Related to training Outcomes for Employment
Related Courses
Course Contact Information