How to Do Event Catering

A career in event catering is ideal for people who like to cook, entertain and have a creative side they like to show off. Event catering ranges from lavish weddings to simple business luncheons and everything in between. Some of the most famous food personalities in the world got their starts in event planning, including Martha Stewart and Paula Deen.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Get your event catering business started on legal ground. Cooking and serving food in exchange for money requires several licenses and permits, depending what part of the country you live in. Caterers don't usually have to pay as much as restaurants for their food licenses, but they still need them. Check with your state small business guidelines to find out what you need to become a licensed event caterer.
2. Write your menu. Keep it simple and realistic. If you are working out of your home kitchen, offering several types of homemade bread and pastries may not be doable in your one oven. Also think about who your main demographic is. Are you focusing on businesses or personal parties? Are you going to do more lunches or more formal dinners?
3. Purchase equipment for event catering. This will be your biggest investment. Sit down and make a list of everything you will need to cater an event from start to finish. If you offer hot foods, you'll need chaffing dishes and warmers. Decide if you are going to offer paper or china, plastic or silverware.
4. Consider transportation issues. Event catering requires a lot of travel. Not only will you need a van or other large vehicle, you will also need large bus tubs for transporting food, dishes and equipment.
5. Decide what parts of event catering you will outsource. Outsourcing is hiring another vendor or contractor to help you with the event. For example, you may outsource the table linens or some of the cooking (like wedding cakes or bread). Smaller catering companies often rent much of their equipment, like tables and chairs, until they have enough capital to buy their own.

Tips & Warnings

• Do NOT forget the insurance. If someone becomes ill at one of your events or an employee is hurt on the job, you want to make sure you are covered.

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