| With the reward and fun of the catering business | | | | the demand exceeds the supply? |
| comes hard work and the requirement for a lot of | | | | - Can your business compete with existing |
| stamina, as you have to work under pressure. Before | | | | businesses? |
| starting a catering business, you must obtain a license | | | | Before attempting to start a catering business, you |
| and meet the requirements of the food service | | | | must decide on the type of customers you want to |
| industry. | | | | cater to and also study your competitors. Based on |
| License | | | | this, you can then decide your business promotion |
| To acquire a license, you must apply to your local | | | | strategy. You will also have to decide on the number |
| Health Department. Before issuing a license, the Health | | | | of staff you may need for service and cleanup. |
| Department inspects your place of business to see | | | | Always consider extra skills and techniques you may |
| whether you meet sanitation requirements. Once you | | | | have to develop to outshine your competitors. |
| are issued the license, the Health Department | | | | Initial Setup Costs |
| constantly conducts routine inspections of the business. | | | | Initially, you may start your catering business by renting |
| These inspections are done to ensure the | | | | equipment to reduce startup costs. You can rent |
| maintenance of good hygiene and sanitation. | | | | equipment such as tables, chairs, utensils, tablecloths, |
| Outbreaks of food-borne illnesses have resulted in | | | | serving equipments and other items. This will help to |
| many restaurants from poor hygiene, inadequate | | | | build your reputation in the market and gradually |
| cooking times and improper cooling and storage of | | | | develop some initial capital for further investment and |
| food. | | | | expansion. It also gives you a chance to evaluate the |
| Plan | | | | money and time you need to invest and think about |
| A good business plan is a must and will help guide you | | | | the impact the venture will have on your family. |
| in establishing the business. Before planning to start a | | | | Food Safety |
| catering business, you must assess your area of | | | | To be a successful caterer, you must be able to |
| specialty such as baked goods, seated diners, lunch | | | | prepare delicious, hygienic and wholesome food. You |
| boxes, receptions, picnics or wedding receptions. You | | | | should maintain high quality standards while preparing |
| must also analyze the type of food you intend to | | | | the food. It is your prime responsibility to prevent |
| serve. Before venturing into a catering business, you | | | | contamination of food, as contamination can lead to |
| must ask yourself some questions to find out whether | | | | serious illness - and this can ruin your reputation and |
| your business can be successful or not. | | | | business, in addition to possibly leading to lawsuits. |
| The questions are: | | | | Despite the pitfalls, you can have a profitable, well run |
| - Will the business serve your basic needs? | | | | business. When well planned, having your own catering |
| - Will your business serve the existing market in which | | | | business can be personally and financially rewarding. |