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Start a Home Catering Business

Written by Rayzelle Forrest Young for Gaebler Ventures

Tips on how to get a home catering business up and running. Discusses the importance of formal training and proper experience.

A home catering business can be lucrative as well as rewarding for someone who enjoys cooking.

There are numerous events that use the services of caterers. Weddings, corporate dinners and banquets as well as award ceremonies are among the events that employ the services of a caterer. If you have been thinking about starting a business in this industry there are some important steps you need to take to ensure your success.

Get Training

Train at a culinary school for your catering career. This is a smart thing to do even if you have a passion for cooking and have been doing it for years. People like to do business with individuals that are professionally trained.

Get Experience

Find employment with a catering company. This will help you to learn the business before you start your own company. Hands on experience will allow you to see exactly what works and what doesn't work, as well as allow you to assess whether starting a business is in this industry is right for you.

Get Licensed

Obtain all the proper licenses and insurance before you open for business. Consult with your local health department as well as city offices to see exactly what you will need to ensure you business is legit. Make sure the city zoning laws permit you to start a catering business out of your home. More than likely you will need some sort of food handling certification as well as a business license.

Offer Variety

The secret to your success as a caterer will be to offer a variety of foods. When people look to hire a caterer they usually want one that can provide an array of food that includes appetizers, dinner and desert. Put together packages that include all three to make yourself more appealing to do business with.

Market Your Business

To market your catering business, a good place to start is at trade shows. Think about events that use caterers. Wedding trade shows perfect for getting your business name out to the public and gaining new and potential clients. Make sure you have a picture portfolio of food that you can prepare. People will want to see what you have to offer before they use your services. Another way to market your services is to other businesses. Companies have special events and banquets all the time that use the services of a caterer.

If you plan to start a home catering business is a good move for a person who has a passion for cooking. Remember to get formal training as well as experience before you open your business. This will help improve your food preparation techniques as well as teach you the ropes of running a successful catering company.

Rayzelle is an entrepreneur and writer. Based on her experiences as an owner of her own dance studio, she will share her personal tips on being a successful entrepreneur.

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