Pros
here is plenty of work if you're looking for flexible event shifts, and you'll have the opportunity to work at some of New York City's most prestigious venues. Many of the servers and support staff are hardworking professionals who genuinely care about doing a good job.
Cons
In my experience, power was valued more than leadership. Too many captains seemed to view authority as something to wield rather than a responsibility to lead. Employees were often treated like cattle instead of professionals. Constant criticism, public reprimands, and unnecessary rigidity created an environment where people were regularly demoralized.
Catering is demanding work, and it's normal to feel stressed or under appreciated from time to time. However, I experienced far more demoralization at this company than anywhere else I've worked. I have worked in hospitality for more than 20 years in restaurants, bars, nightclubs, catering, and high-profile events. Especially since the onboarding process protected a professionalism that didn't reflect the reality. That's saying a lot when I say this was the most abusive, dysfunctional, and rigid work culture I have experienced.
One incident has stayed with me. At a regular venue, I witnessed a sanit worker repeatedly berate a server over how dishes were being handed to him. The server eventually became visibly upset after the ongoing confrontation. Rather than attempting to de-escalate the situation, the venue manager physically intervened, tackled the server, and brought him to the ground. It was a shocking response to witness and reinforced my concerns about how conflict was handled.
If you value dignity, respectful leadership, and a healthy workplace culture, this may not be the right environment.