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