Factors to Consider Before you Start a Catering Business

Before you rush out and start a catering business you should take some time to consider a few basic points about the industry. You also need to think carefully about your personality and present situation. You can then decide if proceeding with your own catering business is the right move for you.

Below we set out a few basic considerations and success factors. See how you measure up and find out if you are cut out to start and manage a catering business.

What do you Love Doing?

Most people are drawn to catering through a love of food, cooking, entertaining and making other people happy through the dishes that they create. If this sounds like the kind of person that you are then catering could be the ideal business for you. You don’t necessarily need a formal qualification to be a caterer but a few years of kitchen experience would be extremely advantageous.

Creative Flair

To succeed in catering your food not only has to taste great but it also has to look fantastic. While you can copy the work of others it would be extremely helpful if you are creative when it comes to recipes, menu creation and the presentation of food.

Licensing and Regulations

If you are involved with the preparation or distribution of food to be consumed by the public then it is likely that you will need some form of license or permit. Find out more about the regulations that are set out by the health authorities in your country or state.

You will have to prove that your cooking areas are hygienic. Refrigeration systems, food storage systems and food preparation methods will also have to meet local standards. It is also likely that you will have to have restrooms that don’t lead directly into cooking areas and sufficient facilities for staff to wash their hands.

You will also be subject to occasional inspections so make sure that you maintain a level of compliance with health regulations at all times.

Kitchen Space and Equipment

If you prepare foods on-site for your clients will you take along your own catering equipment or rely on using theirs? You will also need your own kitchen space as well to prepare some food in advance. Will you use your home kitchen or hire a commercial kitchen for this purpose?

Funding

Do you have access to sufficient funding to start a catering business? While startup costs can be kept within a reasonable budget you also have to consider operating costs for the first few months. Your business may not make a profit in first few months and you will have overhead costs. Don't forget your living costs as well.

Are you Organized?

As a caterer you will need to have exceptional organization and planning skills to cater successfully to your clients events and help to make them run smoothly.

Communication Skills

It is easier to become successful in catering if you are a people person. You will be dealing with suppliers and employees as well as clients and guests at your events. You must be effective at communicating to people in order to get your message across, to sell your services and to stay organized.

Unsocial Working Hours

In this business you will be able to determine your working hours to some extent. However, when it comes to catering to events you will have to go along with the clients schedule. You will often have to work on evenings and weekends and should discuss this with your family before starting your business.

Can you Keep Cool under Pressure?

Within any kitchen that is working towards deadlines and during any event, mistakes and arguments can easily arise. As the leader of a small team you will have to keep everyone focused on the job at hand and not be somebody who easily stresses out.

Variety of Work

As a caterer you must be prepared to perform a variety of tasks in a typical working day. These tasks may include prospecting for new accounts, business administration or sourcing products and rental equipment.

Compared to restaurants where one day is similar to the next, catering offers so much more variety as every event is different.

Determination to Succeed

All businesses are slow to grow in the beginning. It takes time to get things running smoothly and to make relationships with clients. You must be disciplined and determined if you are to make it through the difficult early stages.

These are just some of the more important things that you must consider before you decide to start a catering business. By learning a little bit about catering first you can see if it is suited to your abilities and personality type. Be certain that catering is what you want to do before you jump in and invest your time and startup capital.