If you love to cook and spend time in the kitchen that you will have no problem starting a business at home, especially a catering business. It is very simple to start this kind of business at home because it does not require daily inventory and specialized equipment. Before you decide to go into this business there are some things that you should take into consideration.
The first smart step which you should take is making a business plan. This business plan will help you guide your business for many years to come. You have to think about a couple of things: the events you want to cater for, if another business like this exists and if there is a niche which is not satisfied.
You have to find out what are the law foods in your area. This is very important because running a business from home, especially a catering business, has some requirements. In some stats you have to prepare your food is a commercial kitchen. If you do not have this option you can do another thing, cook in your clients kitchen.
Even if you are not going to be cooking at home you still have to organize your house. You will need to make space for supplies, a place where you deposit all your paper work and one room where you can set up you desk.
You have to keep track of everything that does in and out of this business. Save all the receipt from food and the equipment you need.
Advertising is very important for a business who is new on the market. Make promotional materials which you can give to you potential clients. You should make business card and flayers, a website and also a menu of the food you are offering.
Just to make people aware that you are in business you might want to through a couple of parties for free just so people can see what you can do and taste your food. It is an excellent way to turn potential clients into real clients.
Last but not least you are going to have to write a contract which your clients can sign when they hire you cook for them. You should make it clear when you are going to be payed, at which hour you should be at the event, the type of containers you should serve the food and if the food has to be hot or cold.
