If you're a skilled chef, whether self-taught, trained by other chefs, or a catering college graduate, starting a catering company could be a great idea. It's a way to use your skills to launch a successful business without having to keep a restaurant running. You can cater for corporate events or for private parties, depending on which you think could be the right market for you. If you're thinking about starting a catering business, there are some essential things that you're going to need to make it work. A few key elements should be prioritized to help you get your business off the ground.
Space
Being a caterer can often mean using kitchens that are provided to you when you're working. You might be cooking in someone's private home or using commercial kitchens in various venues. However, you can also require your own space to prepare things in advance and then deliver to the required location. Even if you largely prepare food on-site, you will still need space where you can keep your equipment, meet clients and conduct other business activities. Looking for the necessary space should be one of the first things that you do, but you might not need much to start with.
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Equipment
Getting all of the essential equipment for catering is another big step that you'll need to take. If you generally use other people's kitchens, you might be provided with the equipment that you need a lot of the time. But it's also often necessary to have your own equipment if you want to ensure you have everything that you need. As well as cooking equipment, you might need things for keeping food warm, translating it, and plating it up. You'll also need to be able to keep food fresh, which can require refrigerators and freezers.
Suppliers
Sourcing supplies for catering jobs is something that you need to be able to do quickly and affordably. You need suppliers to provide you with quality ingredients as and when you need them. Unlike many restaurants, you're not going to have regular orders that you place. When you're looking for suppliers, consider choosing businesses that specialize in certain ingredients, such as Superior Farms, which supplies lamb. It can help you to guarantee quality and find suppliers that really know what they're doing. Consider looking for local suppliers who can provide you with local ingredients, which is another great way of finding quality supplies.
Transport
Reliable transport is important for catering companies. It's even more important if you decide to start a mobile catering company at events such as festivals. You'll need to ensure you have the transport that you need to carry essential supplies and equipment. You might also need to consider things like refrigeration or even how to keep prepared food hot. Make sure your vehicles are also insured properly, as well as being kitted out to provide you with everything that you need.
Start a catering business smoothly by making sure you have all that you need to carry out the jobs you book.