Our EVENT STAFF

Event Staff That Elevate Every Experience

Behind every flawless event is a team that makes it happen. At NY Susan Kitchen, our event staff are more than just extra hands — they’re an extension of your brand, your values, and your guest experience. From captains and bartenders to chefs and coat check, we provide trained professionals who arrive prepared, styled, and ready to serve.

When catering, venue logistics, and staff come from the same team, everything feels seamless. We coordinate directly with planners and hosts to make sure our people support your event, not interrupt it. For a full breakdown of how we integrate food and staffing, explore our complete catering resources.

Tailoring Staff to Your Venue

The best event staff know how to adapt — not just to different roles, but to different spaces. Whether we’re serving dinner in a formal hall or passing hors d’oeuvres at a rooftop cocktail party, we adjust our movement, presence, and appearance to the room.

We've worked across dozens of NYC venues and event spaces, from private lofts to branded retail settings. That experience lets us match the service flow to the architecture — making sure guests are attended to without ever feeling crowded or rushed.

Smart Staffing for Corporate Events

Our corporate clients count on us for consistency, professionalism, and efficiency. That includes punctual arrival, polished presentation, and quiet service — especially during meetings or media-facing events.

Whether it’s a quarterly mixer or executive roundtable, our workplace dining staff are trained to respect the tone of the room. We understand when to move fast, when to stay visible, and when to fade into the background so your focus stays where it should: on your business.

Staffing for Themed and Inclusive Events

We also understand that some events are more expressive. For pride celebrations, product launches, or fashion-forward receptions, our staff can adapt their attire, demeanor, and service style to support the vibe of your event.

With our experience providing LGBTQ+ themed catering, we know how to balance formality with celebration — and how to make guests feel welcome and seen from the moment they arrive.

Event Staffing Rates and Guidelines

There is a four-hour minimum charge for staffing. Our current hourly rates are as follows:

• Captains ~ $50.00 per hour
• Executive chefs ~ $50.00 per hour
• Assistant chefs ~ $45.00 per hour
• Event managers ~ $45.00 per hour
• Bartenders ~ $45.00 per hour
• Waiters ~ $45.00 per hour
• Event staff ~ $45.00 per hour

Attire options include black tie, all black, bistro, or custom uniforms to match your event’s formality or theme.

Staffing needs vary by event type and service style, but here is a general guide:

• One bartender per every 50 guests
• Passed hors d’oeuvres – Three waiter minimum
• Buffet – One waiter per every 25 guests
• Sit-down meal – One waiter per every 10 guests
• One busser per every 50 guests
• One coat check per every 100 guests

Staff Who Support the Story — Not Just the Food

Events are full of moments — some planned, some unexpected. Our event staff are trained to respond to both. Whether it's adjusting service timing during a speech or quietly resetting a drink station mid-reception, we move in ways that protect the flow of your event.

For video-based events, where every detail is on display, our team collaborates with your production crew to stay out of frame while staying in sync. Our videography catering teams know how to time tray passing, space movement, and support your shots without disrupting the scene.

Presentation-Ready Staff for Styled Events

Clean lines. Balanced trays. Matching uniforms. Our staff doesn't just serve — they complete the visual experience. Whether it’s a wedding, product reveal, or high-profile dinner, our teams are briefed on the visual goals of each event. That includes posture, hand placement, and how to hold trays or pour drinks on camera.

We also coordinate with our photography catering team to make sure every serving moment is frame-worthy — and that food, staff, and guests share the spotlight naturally.

Specialty Stations Call for Skilled Staff

Not every event calls for uniform tray-passing. Sometimes, your concept needs a showpiece: a hot carving station, a flambé dessert, or a classic street cart. We assign experienced staff for these stations, and coach them to perform with presence, clarity, and polish.

Our hot dog carts are a great example — fun, functional, and attention-grabbing when staffed with the right energy. That same intention goes into cocktail bars, themed grazing tables, or DIY dessert setups.

Working Seamlessly With Florals and Decor

When you have a full event design — flowers, tablescapes, light installations — the last thing you want is service staff accidentally disrupting the view. Our team communicates with florists and planners to understand the layout, paths, and zones, so nothing gets blocked or knocked.

Our floral design team also helps plan out staff paths and equipment locations in advance, making sure everything feels integrated, not tacked on.

Staff for Cake and Dessert Moments

Serving dessert isn’t just about cutting cake. It’s about protecting the moment — making sure timing, presentation, and cleanup are handled with care. Our dessert staff are trained in both back-of-house prep and front-of-house presence. Whether it’s a spotlighted cake-cutting ceremony or a sweet table reveal, we’re there to support your vision.

We often combine this with our custom wedding cake services, ensuring both the dessert and the team serving it look just as refined as the rest of the evening.

Setup, Breakdown, and Everything In Between

The beginning and end of your event are just as important as the peak. That’s why our staff is trained to arrive early, execute clean setups, and handle full breakdowns post-event. We assign point leads for each team and equip them with floor plans, rental inventories, and timelines.

Through our equipment rental services, we ensure all logistics — from carts to coat racks — are managed in tandem with our staff. You don’t need to micromanage. We come prepared to handle the full arc of the event.

People Make the Difference

Great food makes an impact. But great staff make it last. At NY Susan Kitchen, we treat service as part of your brand. We train for presence, pace, and adaptability — and we staff each event based on what your guests, space, and story actually need.

Whether you're planning a wedding, gala, team dinner, or launch party, we provide staff who do more than serve — they support the experience from start to finish.