Catering is an emerging career option for women: How stable it is and things to know

When Rekha Sharma left her corporate job because she was unable to manage the pressure, she did not know that her hobby of cooking would lead her to catering. What started as a small delivery business confined to close family and friends, has now expanded into a 25-crore business. "I feel good food is what worked for me. What I cooked was loved by people and I gradually started getting orders for parties and events and here I am today, managing a team of 100 people!" says Rekha. This probably is the most unique thing about women. Somehow, they never give up!Catering is no longer a men's domain. It has emerged as a rewarding career opportunity for women in recent times. Earlier, catering was all about weddings, but now it has shifted its focus to smaller events which are more personalised. Why it is specially suited for women even though men dominate this industryThis business combines creativity, independence, and strong earning potential. Catering is different from many other jobs because it lets women choose their own hours, which makes it easier to balance work and personal life. Women can start small from home and work their way up to bigger events, giving them control over how fast they grow. This field also encourages entrepreneurship. Personalisation is the watch wordEveryone wants something different these days and hence it presents a great opportunity women who believe in creativity. Cooking has traditionally been associated with the warmth and love emanating from kitchens ruled by women. While men have always been part of it as well, but the 'love', 'the magic' is always attributed to women's creative hands. "Ma ke haath ka khana" still finds no match. So when these experts enter this industry, they are bound to rule.Is catering a stable career?"It’s a fair question. From the outside, it can look uncertain. People usually see weddings, big functions, seasonal work… and assume it’s not something you can rely on long term. But that’s not really the full picture. If you spend enough time in this industry, you start to see a different side of it. Food is not optional. People may cut down on many things, but not on food. And today, with the way lifestyles have changed, the demand has only gone up." says Sanjeev Kumar, a veteran of India’s catering industry, known for his deep operational experience and long-standing contribution to catering services. "In fact, a lot of work now doesn’t even come from big events. Corporate catering, daily meal services, smaller curated gatherings—these are steady, ongoing opportunities. What makes the difference, though, is how seriously you take the work. This is a skill-based industry. Degrees help, no doubt, but what really matters is what you can handle on the ground. Can you manage a kitchen under pressure? Can you keep things consistent when numbers go up? Can you solve problems quickly when something goes wrong?" he adds.You have to work your way to top"I’ve seen many people start from very basic roles. Kitchen helpers, assistants, sometimes doing jobs that others may not even consider. But those who stayed, learned properly, and didn’t rush—most of them moved ahead. There are examples across the country. People who started small—some even with local setups or small food stalls—and over time built strong businesses. It doesn’t happen overnight, but it does happen. There is one thing women should be clear about, this line rewards patience. It’s also important to understand that this is not a desk job. You’re on your feet. You’re involved. You’re dealing with people, timelines, pressure… sometimes all at once. In the beginning, the hours can be long, and not always predictable, " says Sanjeev KumarIt has evolved for betterChef Gautam Kumar who has catered for several high profile celebrities says, "Catering is no longer what it used to be earlier. It is extremely rewarding now. There are new opportunities, but new challenges as well. Expectations are high and competition is tough, so one really has to be extremely innovative in this filed. Just being a cook is not enough, you have to be consistent and creative. One has to keep thinking of new and original ways to stay in the game."Quick success is a misnomerIf someone is looking for quick success, they may get disappointed. But if someone is willing to stay with it, learn properly, and build step by step, then yes—it can become a very stable and rewarding career. In the end, it comes down to a few simple things. Discipline. Patience. Respect for the work. There’s no shortcut here. But there is definitely a path. And if you stay on it long enough, it can take you further than you expect.