Opening a Small Catering Business

Start a small catering business.

Turn your love for cooking into a profitable business. If your friends and family constantly rave about your food, and you have a flair for presentation, these skills can translate into a successful catering business. Since people will need caterers for as long as they get married or have parties, you can always find business. Catering offers flexibility, since you can start small and grow as fast as you and your client base dictates. Before you start cooking, handle the necessary business side of catering.

Things You'll Need

• Computer
• Phone

Instructions

What You Will Offer

1. Offer full-service catering or corporate catering.

2. Start a special catering business, such as dessert catering, if you have flair for specific types of cooking.

3. Determine what kind of services you will offer: buffet, formal sit-down or cocktail parties.

4. Choose a memorable name that has to do with food. Although you could choose a name like "Bill's Catering," a name like "Bill's Edible Delights" may attract more clients.

Licensing

1. Find out if your county allows you to use your home kitchen to prepare food for catering. If so, allow one of its agents to come inspect the home and issue the permits you need.

2. Get a business license to operate a catering business. Some counties also require anyone who prepares food for consumption by the public to have a public health permit.

3. Call or visit restaurants, churches, schools or community centers that operate licensed commercial kitchens to see if they would allow you to use their space during their off hours. Search the list of commissary or co-op commercial kitchens by state at the website, Commercial Kitchen For Rent (See Resources).

Marketing

1. Create marketing materials. Build a website that has sample menus, customer testimonials and references, pictures of your most delicious-looking dishes and food presentations you have done in the past. Advertise your business and website in wedding directories and bridal newsletters and magazines.

2. Develop a referral network with the names of wedding planners, cake decorators and bakers, bridal boutiques, florists and party shops. Occasionally drop into these establishments to catch up and deliver sample hors d'oeuvres or desserts. Cultivating strong relationships with these vendors will encourage them to mention your name to potential clients.

3. Send a letter to corporations and local businesses to introduce your catering business. Follow up with a phone call to request an appointment with the event planner to discuss the services you offer and to present a copy of your sample menus.

Tips & Warnings

• Purchase the necessary equipment and supplies you will need to start, such as pots and pans. In addition to preparation equipment, you need food storage units and serving platters and utensils.

• Build a database of waitstaff that you can contract for events when you need help.

• Join the National Association of Catering Executives (NACE) or the International Caterers Association (ICA). These associations offer the education, support and mentoring for catering professionals.

• If a fire beaks out in your home as the result of the catering business, your basic homeowner's policy may not cover the damage. Ask your insurance agent if you need to purchase a special insurance rider to cover the operation of a commercial kitchen in your home. You should get liability insurance to cover your business in case someone becomes ill after eating your food.

References

• Home Business Center: How to Start a Catering Business
• Denver: Commissary Information

Resources

• Commercial Kitchen For Rent
• National Association of Catering Executives
• International Caterers Association