Toronto's catering industry runs on a combination of full-time kitchen staff and on-call event servers, and the demand ramps up sharply in wedding season (May–October) and the corporate events calendar. If you have Smart Serve certification or kitchen experience, these six catering companies are actively looking for staff right now.
Catering companies currently hiring in Toronto
Sourced from Indeed Canada and employer career pages. Verify openings directly, roles fill quickly.
Oliver & Bonacini Events
Event Server / Banquet Captain · Toronto & GTA · Casual / On-call
O&B Events is the catering arm of Oliver & Bonacini, one of Toronto's largest hospitality groups. They cater marquee events across the city, galas, corporate dinners, film festivals, and hire extensively for servers, bartenders, and kitchen runners. Smart Serve is required for any role involving alcohol service. Strong candidates often move into full-time roles at O&B's restaurant portfolio.
View openings →Cuisine by Aimé
Catering Chef / Event Cook · Toronto · Full-time & Casual
Cuisine by Aimé is a boutique catering company focused on upscale corporate and private events. Their kitchen team includes prep cooks, line cooks, and catering chefs who work both in their production kitchen and on-site at events. A clean-driving record is an asset for kitchen staff who need to transport equipment. They hire directly through their website.
View openings →Daniel et Daniel
Event Server / Kitchen Staff · Toronto · Casual / Seasonal
Daniel et Daniel has been a fixture in Toronto catering since the 1980s, operating from a large production kitchen and catering hundreds of events annually. They hire seasonal surges of servers, bartenders, and kitchen staff. French-inspired cuisine means kitchen applicants with formal training or fine-dining experience are preferred. Smart Serve is mandatory for servers.
View openings →Ridgeway Catering
Banquet Server / Event Kitchen · Toronto & Mississauga · Casual
Ridgeway Catering focuses on corporate and social events across the Toronto and Peel Region area. They maintain a roster of on-call servers and kitchen staff who are contacted based on upcoming event bookings. Applicants should expect evening and weekend availability requirements. Smart Serve required for alcohol events. Search their listings on Indeed for current openings.
View openings →Great Hall Catering
Event Server / Catering Coordinator · Queen West, Toronto · Casual & Full-time
Great Hall Catering operates out of the Great Hall venue on Queen West and provides in-house catering for weddings, concerts, and private events. Staff here work both as event-day servers and in supporting roles for setup and teardown. The event-focused environment makes this a good fit for candidates who prefer varied work over a fixed restaurant schedule.
View openings →Toben Food by Design
Catering Chef / Event Server · Toronto · Casual & Full-time
Toben Food by Design is a well-regarded boutique caterer known for creative menus and high-end private events. They hire both kitchen staff for their production facility and event servers for on-site assignments. Kitchen applicants benefit from culinary school credentials or documented fine-dining experience. Event server roles require Smart Serve and professional presentation.
View openings →What catering staff in Toronto actually earns
Event servers at Toronto catering companies typically earn $17–$22/hr, with gratuity structures varying by company, some pool tips at events, others do not. Kitchen staff (prep cooks, line cooks, catering chefs) earn roughly $17–$20/hr for entry-level and intermediate roles, with experienced catering chefs reaching $22–$26/hr. Ontario's minimum wage is $17.60/hr (Oct 2025). Most catering roles are casual or on-call, meaning hours fluctuate with the event calendar. Spring and fall wedding seasons plus holiday corporate events (November–December) typically offer the highest availability of shifts. Pay data sourced from Indeed Canada salary data.
Certifications that open more catering shifts
Smart Serve Ontario certification is effectively mandatory for any catering role that involves alcohol service, and nearly all Toronto catering events do. Smart Serve can be completed online in a few hours for approximately $35, and the certificate is valid indefinitely once earned. Food Handler Certification (from Toronto Public Health or an approved provider) is required for kitchen roles and strongly preferred for servers who handle food. Having both on your resume immediately qualifies you for a wider range of shifts. Safe Food Handling certificates cost around $85–$100 and take half a day. Some catering companies will reimburse these costs after a set number of shifts.
How to get hired at a Toronto catering company
Catering companies often maintain talent pools rather than posting individual openings, applying speculatively with a brief email and resume listing your certifications, available shifts, and any event experience can get you onto their call list. Mention Smart Serve and Food Handler certification prominently; these are gatekeepers. For kitchen roles, include the type of cuisine you've worked with and the volume of covers or events you've handled. Availability for evenings and weekends is essential, be explicit about it. See our guide to restaurant jobs in Toronto for transferable role types that build catering-relevant experience.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need Smart Serve to work for a catering company in Toronto?
For any role that involves serving or handling alcohol at events, yes. Smart Serve Ontario certification is a legal requirement under the Liquor Licence and Control Act. It can be completed online in roughly 3–4 hours for about $35. Some kitchen-only and setup/teardown roles may not require it, but having it expands your eligible shifts significantly.
Are catering jobs in Toronto full-time or casual?
Most catering roles in Toronto are casual (on-call), meaning you work when events are booked. Full-time positions exist primarily for production kitchen staff, event coordinators, and senior culinary roles. If you want consistent hours, target companies with a high event volume or look for catering companies attached to a larger hospitality group like Oliver & Bonacini.
What is the typical pay structure for catering servers in Toronto?
Base pay ranges from $17–$22/hr depending on the company and event type. Gratuity structures vary: some companies include a service charge in client invoices and distribute a portion to staff, while others leave tipping to clients directly. Clarify the gratuity policy before accepting shifts, it can significantly affect your total take-home.
Do I need culinary training to work in catering kitchens?
Not always, but it helps. Prep and dishwashing roles are generally open to candidates without formal credentials. Line cook and catering chef positions at boutique companies like Toben Food by Design or Daniel et Daniel typically prefer culinary school graduates or candidates with fine-dining experience. Large-volume catering operations hire more broadly for production kitchen work.
How do I get on the call list for Toronto catering companies?
Email your resume directly to the company's HR or operations contact (usually listed on their website) and mention your certifications, availability, and any relevant event or restaurant experience. Many catering companies keep informal rosters and reach out when shifts open up. Following up after a few weeks if you haven't heard back is appropriate in this industry.