| If you are a good cook and like cooking, why | | | | for your business. A business loan might be |
| not build on your skills and knowledge and | | | | the best way to cover any large expenses. |
| start your own business doing something you | | | | |
| already know you enjoy. The first thing to | | | | After brainstorming the possibilities, it is |
| do is decide what sort of cookery you want to | | | | time to sit down and draw up a formal |
| undertake on a business basis. | | | | business plan. This will be necessary if you |
| | | | intend to apply for a business development |
| Can you envisage yourself having a career | | | | loan or seek a grant for start-up capital. |
| running a full catering business? If so, you | | | | Putting your plans down on paper will also |
| could choose to offer a general catering | | | | help you to clarify all the details and turn |
| service or one specialising in organising | | | | a bunch of ideas into a real project. |
| buffet meals or wedding breakfasts only. You | | | | |
| might want to create a niche business | | | | Before you cook anything in a professional |
| offering multi-course gourmet meals, | | | | capacity, it is essential to find out what is |
| vegetarian extravaganzas or ethnic feasts. | | | | required in your area in the way of |
| | | | insurances, and certification to enable you |
| Perhaps your interest is in baking. If you | | | | to prepare food on a commercial basis. You |
| can reliably produce delicious cakes and | | | | need to make enquiries of your local Health |
| pastries, a bakery business might be more to | | | | Authority who will provide you with the |
| your liking. You can make a career out of | | | | regulations and inform you what inspections |
| baking and decorating cakes to your own | | | | are required. You don't want your business |
| designs, you could even specialise in one | | | | to get closed down on a technicality, so make |
| type of cake eg cheesecakes or wedding cakes. | | | | sure you do your homework on rules and |
| | | | regulations in advance. |
| Maybe your passion is jam-making or pickling | | | | |
| or bottling fruit. These types of homemade | | | | Whatever size or type of catering business |
| goods produced with fresh natural ingredients | | | | you are planning, you will need to set aside |
| are far superior to the preservative packed | | | | a budget for advertising. As in most lines |
| factory manufactured varieties and are | | | | of business, the best way to grow a catering |
| enjoyed by everyone who appreciates food that | | | | business is through personal recommendation |
| actually tastes like food. | | | | but this takes time and you have to have some |
| | | | customers to start spreading the word in the |
| Don't overlook the possibility of running a | | | | first place. You must advertise to get |
| lunch delivery service. If you live | | | | started and to keep your business growing. |
| reasonably near to offices or factories, you | | | | Advertising can consist of many different |
| could start a sandwich/snack delivery round. | | | | things, eg having fliers delivered, press |
| Fresh homemade sandwiches are in a different | | | | releases and classified advertisements in |
| league to the bland offerings available in | | | | local newspapers, classified advertisements |
| many commercial outlets. Workers usually | | | | in targeted magazines. Have stationery and |
| only get an hour or less for lunch so they | | | | business cards printed with your business |
| will appreciate the chance to save time and | | | | details, post advertisements free on notice |
| effort by having lunch delivered. As well as | | | | boards in shops. |
| sandwiches, you could offer home baked pies | | | | |
| and cakes. The sandwich round could easily | | | | Make sure you tell everyone about your new |
| be run part-time in addition to other | | | | business. This includes friends and |
| catering jobs. | | | | acquaintances who can spread the word but you |
| | | | should also make contact with people in |
| If you are already involved in cooking for | | | | related businesses to see if you can make a |
| your family and friends, you probably have | | | | mutual recommendation agreement. For |
| most, if not all, the basic equipment needed | | | | example, if your speciality is baking wedding |
| to start up a catering related home business. | | | | cakes, it would be useful to form an alliance |
| If you intend to specialise in baking and | | | | with the local florist, local dressmaker and |
| decorating cakes or selling homemade | | | | (obviously) any local wedding planner. |
| sandwiches, your initial outlay will be | | | | |
| comparatively small. You will obviously need | | | | Take a short business course on the Internet |
| to budget for ingredients. Also, you will | | | | or at your local college. Even if you intend |
| need to buy suitable packaging materials and | | | | to employ an accountant or have a qualified |
| have funds to pay for any fuel you will use | | | | advisor, you should know at least the basics |
| to make deliveries. | | | | of business management and your tax |
| | | | liabilities. |
| It is worth the extra expense to have items | | | | |
| such as sandwich bags and cake boxes printed | | | | Finally, make sure you give yourself a |
| with your details so that customers will be | | | | continuing education on all food-related |
| reminded of your name (or your company name) | | | | subjects. Subscribe to professional magazines |
| and can recommend you to friends or phone you | | | | and take evening classes to learn new |
| to place repeat orders. If your ambition is | | | | techniques and recipes. Trends in food |
| to offer a full catering service, you might | | | | change and you need to keep up to date with |
| find that you need an additional freezer, | | | | those trends as well as learning about new |
| fridge or microwave oven. You might even | | | | discoveries relating to nutrition. |
| find that you need a dedicated vehicle to use | | | | |