How to become a professional caterer Part -1
The food business is one of the safest and the easiest business to become a part. Homemakers can turn their cooking skills into a lucrative food service or catering business. If you have the talent, you just need to go out and capture the market. This article helps you understand the nitty-gritty of getting started in the food business.
An ex-student of mine recently left a very well paying corporate job to start a food service aka catering business. She decided to turn her passion into a business. What till recently was getting her appreciation has now started getting her good returns. She started off small, as a food service, supplying lunch for a few managers in her brother-in-law's factory-cum-office. The food was delicious, healthy and home-cooked, word soon spread around – and her clientele grew from five to sixty-three. She's doing really well and is all set to expand her business further.
There are many of us who can take a cue from her. You've probably also been told that you make the most scrumptious biryani or your malai kofta is finger-licking good or your cakes and pastries have everyone drooling. If you can cook for a large gathering, without feeling the heat, you too can think of making catering a career. You can start small, with a food service, take party orders from friends and relatives and gradually build up your business.
The advantage of taking baby steps is that the initial overheads are low because you'll be working alone, in your favourite territory, your kitchen. You can go big, as your business gains more clients. It's all doable - read on to find your niche, launch a successful catering business and become big. Finding a niche
Don't experiment or try something new, not when you are just setting up your business. Finding a niche is about working with food that you love to cook. Stick to your favourite cuisine or signature dishes. Leave the experimentation for later. Consider the following options to get the bigger picture –Quick meals
Working professionals, often do not have time to eat elaborate meals, especially during working hours. Convenient food items that can serve as a meal can get you into the business. Think wholesome sandwiches, rolls, pasta and other one-pot meals that can be eaten on the go. Healthy bites
With people becoming health conscious you could find a market for healthy foods. Salads, whole grain bread sandwiches, smoothies, whole wheat muffins and grilled food. The menu could also include low-fat desserts and snacks or interesting preparations calling for exotic ingredients.State specific cuisine
The IT industry all over the country is known to import people from different states. Such individuals crave for food they've grown up eating. Take advantage of this to set up your catering business. For instance, a Rajasthani staying in Hyderabad can supply authentic Rajasthani meals to working professionals from that state.
Have a clear plan in mind and stick to it, initially. There'll be ample opportunities, in future, to diversify and spread your business. To begin with, model your catering business around just one niche. Putting together a menu
Rent a place
It is always better to rent a place where you can operate your kitchen. Working from home is fine if you are supplying food to just a handful of people. But, if the numbers are growing, and if you want to expand, it is best to do it the professional way.
Rent a place with –Sourcing equipment
Setting up a professional kitchen will require heavy duty equipment. The gadgets have to be of an industrial standard, as they'll really be put to use. These are generally costlier than equipment used in your own kitchen.
Create a list of items that you need -Setting up business
Market you catering business
There are online companies with whom you can set up an account, and they'll help you find customers. All of them have similar working models. These companies allow you to advertise with them and they take the orders for you, pick up packages from you and deliver them to the customer – they allow customers to order food online. If you register with them you'll be able to reach out to a larger clientele. These services offer a lot of conveniences. You can specify your working hours, minimum order requirement, places delivery is covered etcetera. Zomato and Foodpanda are two major online businesses that you can approach.
Another way of targeting customers is through fliers and menus slipped under their door, in the mailbox or in the newspaper. Create a Facebook page to get more publicity. You could also post ads on Facebook and other popular social media. Irresistible offers
To get a grip in a competitive market you will need to formulate strategies that draw clients. Think of novel ideas to do so. Here are a few examples to work with –
There is no sure shot formula to success in the catering business other than maintaining quality, keeping bellies (clients) satisfied, delivering yummy, healthy and hygienic food, using good quality ingredients and providing quick and reliable service.
This is just one aspect of starting a catering or food service. The other aspect involves getting the license to operate your business and register with tax authorities. Get information about that in How to become a professional caterer Part - 2. Make the best use of the information provided in this article and Part 2, to operate a successful food/catering business.
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