Those working in catering must be adaptable and hard-working individuals who take a pleasure in providing a high standard of food service to guests and members of the public. They must be good team players who are able to work efficiently and calmly in what can often be a hectic and pressurised environment.
Front-line positions such as hosting or waiting require excellent communication and presentational skills and offer hourly rates of between C
$8 and C
$10. Backroom staff include chefs, cooks, kitchen assistants and food service supervisors; pay varies according to the level of expertise, with assistant positions starting at C
$10 an hour, and chefs and supervisors receiving average hourly rates of C
$15.
Hotels and restaurants are some of the biggest employers. Experience is often gained by joining a popular restaurant chain, and apprenticeship schemes may also be available, depending on the individual province. Hours may be long and usually require working some weekends and evenings. Staff from abroad are often employed in restaurants providing specialist food, so a knowledge of a second language, such as Japanese, Korean or Punjabi, is a valuable asset.