Entrepreneurs - How To Start A New Catering Business

You have been to lots of parties and weddings, you are a good cook and would like to start a new catering business - so how do you go about it?

First of all get yourself legal. There are a number of health regulations you need to comply with, particularly in your kitchen and with your food handling. This is vital so that you don't poison someone! Look at your local government or county web site. There will be some certificates to get and some inspections you will need to pass. You may also need to be licensed and need to set up your tax status. This all depends upon which area and country you live in. It is very important to get this done first. It will also be a good idea to obtain some kind of liability insurance, covering your employees if you have them as well. This should cover you for damage to any premises you are on as well as limiting your liability if something goes wrong.

Next you need to set up some kind of company - it can just be a name to start with - but a limited company gives you more protection, so consider it when you get larger.

Now you need to decide what kind of catering you want to do. This could be parties and weddings, meals in people's homes, cake making etc. You should now get together your menus and price them up. For a wedding and party business you can offer 3 or 4 kinds of sit down meal and 2 types of buffets for example. Meals in peoples home can involve about 10 different menus involving suitable foods.

Next get together your equipment. Cooking for 60 or more is different to cooking for a few and you will need catering equipment to manage it! This can involve food processors, large pans, sharp knives etc. You will also need: crockery, flat ware/cutlery, utensils, glasses, wine coolers, table settings, table clothes, napkins etc. As well as boxes to transport all of this and bains maries to keep the food hot.

Lastly and most importantly you need to find your customers. Network like crazy contact all the people you had parties with for a start. Set yourself up a yellow pages advert and advertise in your local papers. Go to wedding fairs, set up a stall in the local market, contact complimentary companies such as wedding planners etc.

When you get a request for information - send out your menus and if they seem interested then offer some tasting sessions. Be careful with this so that you are not feeding them but actually selling to them!

Good luck!