If you love to cook and are thinking about starting a business, combine the two and start a small catering business.
The catering business is one of the most interesting sector in the hospitality world, but so fragile to deal with as excellence is the major criteria in being a food handler. just imagine you have been contracted to cater for a governor daughter wedding and you actually performed woefully or didn’t even perform up to expectation that kind of disappointment you get is as same as that smallest client you think you’ve got will also feel not enjoying just the pot of soup he or she ordered for. so at every time a caterer must be on top the game, the business is about much more than putting food on plates. It’s about thinking your way through stressful situations, planning for the unexpected, and most importantly, running a business just like you would any other.
How i became a caterer
I figured if I could cook and enjoy my meals,put food on my family’s plate,I could cook for other people and put food on their plates which they will also enjoy.” and that’s how decision to start became a reality, essence of this story is to motivate someone reading this that you dont have to wait for the heavens to fall before you start up that business idea you have been breeding in your mind,
Here are some simple tips or steps on how to start up a catering business
- Choose your preferred type of catering business ( Niche): This means you should decide on the type of catering business you want to start, Some caterers only do cocktail reception drinks and small finger foods, others do buffet-style catering, and some do the sit-down catering that you might see at a banquet or wedding.
- Choose your preferred business name: when you have the idea of starting up a business also think of a business name too as this is very important as this is what distinguishes your brand from any other brand out there.
- Make an equipment inventory:Write out the the items you will need to purchase at list for a start up.e.g serving dishes,coolers etc….
- Write a business plan:This includes quite a bit of research such as an overview of your company, market analysis, product and services, marketing and financial plan etc…..
- Determine your pricing: Pricing your work depends greatly on where your business is located and what kind of catering you do.
- Licenses and Permits: At least for a start get a food handler license
- Hire, Train and outfit your staff if available at start up.
- marketing: develop a marketing program or strategy to reach out to your potential clients e.g design some business cards,fliers, register your business presence on social media and also endeavor to have a website,blog as majority of people uses the internet.
Catering isn’t an easy business, though you need to “know what you’re getting into,” due to the physical and demanding nature of the work.
But dont get it twisted “You can be a great cook, and that doesn’t necessarily make you a great caterer.”
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