About Food Catering

If you love to cook and are good with people, a catering business might be something to consider. Preparing food and serving it to others can become a lucrative career. A person can choose to work alone in a small catering operation or opt to hire a staff of employees, allowing the business to expand to bigger and broader areas. He can specialize in wedding cakes, baked goods or complete meals. The opportunities are endless.

Regulations

Always check local codes and regulations before opening a service business. Some cities have specific requirements that must be met before a person can open a business in her home or in a rented commercial space. The amount of parking available, traffic to and from the residence or business, and interior setup must all be taken into consideration. If the business cannot be run from home, consider leasing space from a local church or restaurant. Check the codes for this situation as well.

Equipment

The basic equipment needed for a catering business will vary. At the very least, the caterer will need large mixing bowls, a commercial mixer, sheet pans, a large oven, a refrigerator and a freezer. He will need a large cooking surface and work area for food preparation. Table covers, centerpieces, place mats, silverware, dishes and glassware will be necessary. Containers to carry the food during transport, warming covers for the plates, serving dishes for buffets and all serving utensils will also be needed.

Excess Food

At times the caterer will have extra food left over. If the clients have paid for a certain amount of guests and less than expected show up, the caterer should consider giving the excess food to the client. If the client does not want the food, and it can be safely reused for a future event, the food should be properly stored until that time. Another option that will be a bonus to the servers would be to let them divide the food up and take it home.

Catering Offered

A business can provide many types of catering services. A caterer can specialize in wedding cakes, complete weddings with cakes and catered meals, small dinner parties served by waitstaff, large events with full buffets, outdoor barbecues and picnics, corporate dinners and awards banquets. She might provide appetizer platters for baby showers, wedding showers or grand openings. Always make sure to have an appropriate number of staff in place depending on the number of guests and the type of event.

Contracts

The contract should be discussed during the first meeting with the clients. The contract will spell out expectations for the event, the food ordered, the number of guests and the fees to be paid. A down payment should be required at the time of the contract. This fee is usually nonrefundable. If the client reserves the caterer for a specific time and then changes her mind, the caterer will have a hard time filling that spot at the last minute. The deposit will ensure the caterer is protected for his upfront food costs, any rental items he secures and other miscellaneous expenses in the event the client cancels the event.

References

• Entrepreneur: Catering