Tips to Run a Catering Business From Home
Running a catering business from home is a very rewarding task that allows some people to juggle both professional and personal life.
Unfortunately, it can also be stressful as the entrepreneur needs to take care of all aspects of the company without any pay or assistance.
As a result, many would-be entrepreneurs shy away from this venture for fear of being overwhelmed. This article will provide tips on how to run a catering business from home so you can avoid the stress and instead enjoy your new venture.
Starting up – The first step in running a successful catering business from home is choosing what kind of food service you want to provide. There are several options available:
– A hot meal packaged for carryout – Dine-in only with no delivery – A full-service catering business (providing everything from bartenders to party rentals)
Once you decide what type of food service you want to provide, you need to decide how often you’ll be open and where your kitchen will be. If cooking in a home kitchen isn’t an option for health reasons, then seek out commercial-grade cooking appliances. Also consider purchasing a second refrigerator, placing it either at your place of business or at one central location within your client’s facility.
If this is not possible, then it’s best to deliver as opposed to trying to keep food fresh on site. In addition, restaurants can also purchase used equipment from commercial kitchens that have been replaced with updated models.
Inventory – Every catering business needs to be ready with a variety of items at all times. Start by having the essentials on hand:
– Baking and cooking supplies – this will include utensils, baking pans, pots and skillets
– Mixing bowls – these are essential for most recipes that do not call for large batches
– Disposable containers – to serve, package leftovers and store perishables such as meats and dairy products
– Dish soap – important to have plenty on hand for cleaning kitchen wares after each use
– Sponges – this is especially important if you’re using sponges instead of paper towels or another type of wipe because it can be difficult to clean greasy without proper equipment
Next, you need to consider special items that are particularly important to catering businesses. Ordering bulk supplies are typically more cost-effective than purchasing the same items in smaller quantities multiple times per week.
– Servings for one – these can be used during cocktail hour or passed hors d’oeuvres style
– Serving utensils – forks, knives and spoons
– Sharpie pens – these will allow you to place names on platters and other dishes so guests know what’s being served
– Ramekins – these small dishes are useful for sauces, dips and other toppings that require individual servings
– Parchment paper – this can be used as a barrier between pans when baking or cooking something delicate like fish or shellfish
– Cake boxes – these will come in handy when baking cakes or cupcakes
– Plastic cutlery – it’s easier to throw out instead of washing for each use
– Foam trays – these can keep sandwiches, wings and other types of finger foods clean without soaking through
– Cleaning supplies – dish soap, sanitiser, sponges, paper towels
Getting the word out about your catering business is essential to success. There are several ways to advertise including:
– Social networking sites
– Flyers and brochures at local businesses and organizations
– Any relevant blogs or websites that cater toward similar ventures such as grocery stores and restaurants locally and internationally. Always include a contact number so interested clients can call and inquire about your services.
Once you get the word out and begin building a customer base, you need to be able to fulfil orders in a timely manner while still maintaining high-quality standards. This is where having multiple people on staff or on speed dial will come in handy. You’ll also want to make sure that every dish prepared matches the menu provided for each event so there’s no confusion; repeat customers are especially important when it comes to catering businesses.
Running a catering business from home is a very rewarding task that allows some people to juggle both professional and personal life. Unfortunately, it can also be stressful as the entrepreneur needs to take care of all aspects of the company without any pay or assistance. As a result, many would-be entrepreneurs shy away from…