Catering - an Lucrative Small Business

A Home Business Article Contributed by Charan Singh

Market for Small Business of Catering

There is huge dynamic market for the small business of catering which can be run from your home. This market is one of the most lucrative and profitable small business in the market today. Due to the ever changing and hectic lifestyle that people lead today it is impossible for families or businesses to spend long laborious hours in the kitchen to personally prepare dishes for birthday's, company dinner parties or even wedding receptions involving 100 or more guests. This small business is both financially rewarding and fun.

Institutions like schools, colleges, trusts, and other corporate entities prefer to outsource catering work to caterers for planning and staging a memorable party. This lucrative small business today is becoming popular with people of all income levels. National Restaurant Association has forecasted social catering as one of the fastest growing segments of restaurant industry.

Is This Small Business of Catering for You?

In order to run a successful catering business you need more than a passion for cooking food.

A successful caterer:

" is an excellent planner and manager

" is well organized

" has presence of mind to deal with last minute changes or hitches

" possesses good presentation skills. This skill is not limited only to individual dish preparation but also to the layout of the table as well as the surrounding areas.

( some caterers today even hire food artists for decoration of food)

" knows how to win the clients faith by not only in preparing sumptuous meals but also in creating the perfect ambience fitting the clients needs.

(various caterers today even go to the lengths of hiring indoor pyrotechnics and laser light technicians to create that perfect ambience)

" understands the taste and style of his or her clients.

Startup Costs Involved in This Small Business

To start this business there is no limit on how much one can invest. It can be as small or as big as your wallet can permit. Start up costs can range from $1000( if working out of your own kitchen) up to

$85,000( if working out of a professional kitchen).

The best way to minimize costs for a catering business in the beginning would be:

" by renting different items instead of purchasing them. It is very easy to rent various kitchen facilities, China, linen and serving equipment.

" On getting the first client buy or rent whatever is required for that particular order and conserve cash.

" It might even be a good idea in the beginning to do small catering orders for family friends and relatives at cost. This would build a good foundation for a client base. Remember in the beginning good food and word of mouth might propel this small business to great heights.

" Use your house as your office. Rent out venues and employees only on the days of the catering event.

Important Tips

" It is not very important to obtain a special education or training to become a caterer, but taking courses in culinary institutes or vocational schools will always be of great help in your small business.

" If the business is an instant success you might want to look into getting a food preparer's licence from your local health department.

" Catering business entails ethical and legal binding. Make sure to confirm legal policies from the Department of Health in you region. Check if any licensing is needed.

" Ensure cleanliness not only in the place of work but also with the staff involved.

" Make sure raw materials used(perishable foods and kitchen facilities) are of top quality.

Remember Catering business is not very easy as it seems. Having the knack for cooking good food is not enough. To be successful you need to be a hard worker, dedicated, and need to be knowledgeable about every aspect of the industry that you have decided to be a part of. Starting from legal aspects, latest recipes, new fashion fads, emerging trends in the hospitality industry, marketing techniques etc. A person possessing confidence, determination, sound business plan and up to date knowledge on related market will never go wrong in achieving success.