Running a catering business is every inch as difficult as it looks. If you think catering is just all about the cooking, you're sadly mistaken. In truth, it takes a lot of logistic know-how, grace under pressure, business acumen, and an unadulterated source of constant fearlessness in order to succeed in the catering business.
But don't let that description frighten you off! If catering really is something you're interested in – say, you find yourself excelling in and enjoying entertaining guests at your home – then your passion could be enough to fuel you through all the difficulties you need to face.
To succeed in catering, there are a few items that are quite constantly important. These factors can make or break your business. They may seem trivial to you now, but they will prove quite useful when you go into the actual nitty-gritty details of the business. The devil is, after all, in the details. In the catering business, it is no different.
In the process of establishing your catering business, there are some preparations you need to make to ensure you succeed. First, draft a powerful menu with all of your greatest hits. Every cook has his superstar dish; take note of your strongest dishes and make sure you include them in your menu. Since catering is about being flexible and accommodating the client's needs, make sure you always have a few menu templates with a good variety of dishes at the ready. Then you should be able to show these to the client and present your versatility.
You should also have a reliable set of tools. Catering supplies are necessary; there's no way around this. If you're entertaining ten guests, your dishes at home will serve. If you're cooking for a hundred, not so much. Catering supplies include not only your cookware, but also the serving and dining utensils. Your dinner and serving ware should represent your professionalism, so don't try to scrimp on your catering supplies too much. If you're on a budget, try visiting trade fairs and meet suppliers of various catering supplies. A cheap alternative is to visit a catering supplies warehouse near you to see if they offer wholesale prices.
Another important factor in catering is your ability to deliver on time, so a catering van is necessary. Make sure you have a reliable set of wheels that will bring your food, your crew, and your utensils to the location on time. This means you have to get there early enough for preparation and this includes a "safety net" that will let you handle accidents and unexpected mishaps without missing a beat.
Some caterers also provide the tables and the chairs. This is entirely up to you. Usually, well-established caterers offer their clients a complete set-up, which includes the dining tables. This is particularly useful for clients who want their events held in gardens or similar locations. If you're a start-up, you probably won't need to offer this particular service for now.
Finally, a good caterer should be on top of everything. A good handle of the schedule and the logistics is required. Keep a notebook with all your important details; segregate per client. If you want, you can look for online software that allow you to deal with budget concerns and other details involved in the catering for an event. These are just some of the items you will need to take note of when jumping into the catering business, and we've barely scratched the surface!
But don't let that description frighten you off! If catering really is something you're interested in – say, you find yourself excelling in and enjoying entertaining guests at your home – then your passion could be enough to fuel you through all the difficulties you need to face.
To succeed in catering, there are a few items that are quite constantly important. These factors can make or break your business. They may seem trivial to you now, but they will prove quite useful when you go into the actual nitty-gritty details of the business. The devil is, after all, in the details. In the catering business, it is no different.
In the process of establishing your catering business, there are some preparations you need to make to ensure you succeed. First, draft a powerful menu with all of your greatest hits. Every cook has his superstar dish; take note of your strongest dishes and make sure you include them in your menu. Since catering is about being flexible and accommodating the client's needs, make sure you always have a few menu templates with a good variety of dishes at the ready. Then you should be able to show these to the client and present your versatility.
You should also have a reliable set of tools. Catering supplies are necessary; there's no way around this. If you're entertaining ten guests, your dishes at home will serve. If you're cooking for a hundred, not so much. Catering supplies include not only your cookware, but also the serving and dining utensils. Your dinner and serving ware should represent your professionalism, so don't try to scrimp on your catering supplies too much. If you're on a budget, try visiting trade fairs and meet suppliers of various catering supplies. A cheap alternative is to visit a catering supplies warehouse near you to see if they offer wholesale prices.
Another important factor in catering is your ability to deliver on time, so a catering van is necessary. Make sure you have a reliable set of wheels that will bring your food, your crew, and your utensils to the location on time. This means you have to get there early enough for preparation and this includes a "safety net" that will let you handle accidents and unexpected mishaps without missing a beat.
Some caterers also provide the tables and the chairs. This is entirely up to you. Usually, well-established caterers offer their clients a complete set-up, which includes the dining tables. This is particularly useful for clients who want their events held in gardens or similar locations. If you're a start-up, you probably won't need to offer this particular service for now.
Finally, a good caterer should be on top of everything. A good handle of the schedule and the logistics is required. Keep a notebook with all your important details; segregate per client. If you want, you can look for online software that allow you to deal with budget concerns and other details involved in the catering for an event. These are just some of the items you will need to take note of when jumping into the catering business, and we've barely scratched the surface!
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