Have you always wanted to launch a catering business? Make 2016 the year in which you do it!
As with most industries, the catering trade has suffered during the recession. With customers looking for cheaper ‘do-it-yourself’ alternatives, things have been tough for those in the trade; however, this is beginning to change. People are turning to professional caterers once again to make their event as good as it can possibly be, making 2016 the perfect year for you to launch the catering business you have always dreamed of.
When to start?
Getting started now will mean you are just in time to catch some of the lucrative wedding trade, which will contribute a significant amount to your annual revenue. It is a good idea to grab a calendar and start plotting seasonal trends, such as Christmas work parties, summer fetes and spring christenings, so that you can pre-empt your clients’ needs and advertise accordingly. In this way you can ensure that you grab as big a chunk of the market as you can.
Getting set up
Whether you are catering in house or out, you will need proper kitchen equipment that meets Environmental Health Department standards. The Food Standards Agency has some excellent information on what you will need to do to pass the inspection and get your catering business started.
If start-up costs are putting you off, don’t panic! There are lots of affordable ways to get yourself ready to trade. Try food machinery auctioneers such as http://www.clarke-fussells.co.uk for good-quality, secondhand, commercial kitchen equipment; shop around for advertising; and make the most of promoting yourself on social media. That all-important calendar will remind you what you have got coming up and remember that ordering ingredients in advance can save a lot of money, as prices tend to rocket at peak periods.
Taylor your identity
Don’t forget that your catering business can be as diverse as you want it to be. Once you have your kitchen kitted out, you can do anything from birthday cakes to buffets to banquets! Research, experiment and see what works best for you. As long as your costings are correct, you are savvy with your set up and cautious with your initial financial outlay, there is no reason for you not to be a roaring success.
Good luck!