by Maria Rachel Roxas Yapchiongco
(First published in the Philippine Online Chronicles)
Do you have a passion for cooking? Are you constantly on the lookout for interesting recipes? Do you enjoy hosting parties for loved ones? Do you often get requests from people you know to cook certain dishes for special occasions and gatherings? Are you the go-to person when it comes to food preparations during family functions and get together with friends? If you answered yes to most of these questions and you have an entrepreneurial spirit, then you might like to consider going into the catering business.
Culinary talent is a good premise but it is not enough to start a catering business. You also need the right business skills and strategies to succeed in the food business. Here are some tips and reminders to help you get started in catering.
Find your niche in the catering business. Catering is a big field. A good way to start establishing yourself in the market is by focusing on your specialty dishes. Think of your strong recipes. Do you have a flair for cooking certain cuisines such as Filipino, Italian, Japanese, etc.? What dishes always get the seal of approval from family and friends? What type of food do your loved ones often request you to cook over and over again? For example, the desserts you make are always a big hit on the family table as well as gatherings and your loved ones never get tired of requesting for your pasta dishes.
It is also important to consider the type of clients you see yourself selling to. Think of what type of occasion your dishes are best suited for. You might like to focus on special events like birthday parties, weddings, office functions, etc.
Learn proper scaling of recipes. Catering often requires cooking for a larger number of people than you are used to. Preparing food for a small set of people is very different from cooking for a big group. Going into the catering business requires learning how to scale your recipes according to the number of people that you will serve. Scaling recipes means knowing how to convert ingredients to units and computing for bigger quantities. There are catering manuals and books that explain the proper steps of scaling recipes. There are also seminars that discuss different aspects of catering including scaling.
Learn the basics of catering. Background in home cooking is a good foundation in entering the catering business but there are other things that you should learn before accepting your first catering contract. To establish yourself as a professional, it is necessary to familiarize yourself with the basics of the catering business. Variety of occasions and functions need different approaches. Take time to learn about costing, food and table presentations, etc.
One way of learning the ins and outs of catering is to observe professional caterers. If you know a caterer, you can ask about food preparation techniques and other catering experiences. You can consider applying as a trainee or apprentice of a professional chef to get first hand training. You can also benefit from enrolling in a catering business seminar. For example, the seminar offered by Business Coach, Inc. teaches entrepreneurs how to engage in the catering business. The program includes menu planning, costing, purchasing, equipment and supplies, storing, preparation, service, inventory, accounting, control, planning, marketing, and more.
Acquire important equipment. There are important equipment and supplies needed to start a catering service. An entrepreneur may choose to rent or buy equipment depending on the type of service to be provided. Here are some examples of catering equipment.
- Cooking pots and pans
- Oven and stove
- Deep fryer
- Refrigerator
- Mixer
- Dinnerware, silverware, glassware, serving utensils
- Food trays or platters
- Serving bowls
- Serving trays
- Display stands
- Chafing dishes or food warmers
- Disposable catering supplies
- Food carriers
- Coolers
- Beverage dispensers
- Linens, napkins
- Banquet tables and chairs
- Table decorations
- Tent canopies
Provide transportation. It is advisable to have a form of transportation such as a van or pick-up truck to bring food, tables, chairs, equipment, and supplies to the venue. A small catering business can start with one vehicle. Additional vehicles can be acquired later on when the business grows and expands.
Set up the kitchen. Determine where you will be doing your food preparation and cooking. A small catering business may start from a home kitchen. It is advisable to check if there are residential restrictions that may prohibit this type of business. Take note that some private villages or subdivisions do not allow this kind of operation within the premises.
If establishing a home kitchen is allowed in your area, make sure that you have the proper kitchen equipment, storage facilities, and refrigeration equipment. You will also need a large working area or table. It is also important to have a large sink or preferably multiple sinks. Since you will be doing a lot of cooking, it is advisable to have a ventilation hood and grease trap installed.
Arrange a receiving area for clients. Find an ideal spot that is separate from the kitchen. Provide tables and chairs for the customers. This area can be used to entertain inquiries and food tastings.
Menu planning. Create a menu that includes variety of dishes that suit different tastes.Maintain a manageable menu of tried and tested dishes. You can test recipes and get valuable feedback by organizing a tasting. You can also work with clients if they have special menu preferences.
Hire staff. Determine how many people you will need to help you with food preparation, cooking, delivery, and service. A caterer has the option to hire permanent staff or get kitchen helpers and servers from an agency. The staff should be trained to handle specific jobs and give clients quality service. Every member of the staff should always wear clean clothes and observe good personal hygiene. Assign appropriate uniforms for food servers.
Get proper registration requirements and documents.Choose a good business name for your catering business. Register the business at the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) for single proprietorship and at the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for partnership or corporation. Obtain a Mayor’s Permit / Resident Certificate and Sanitary Permit from the local municipality where the business is located. Register the business with the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) to secure TIN (Tax Identification Number). Get Social Security System (SSS), Philhealth, and PAG-IBIG coverage for employees.
Promote the business.
The best way to promote a new catering business is by word of mouth. Family and friends can recommend your service to people they know. Always provide quality food and service to your clients. A satisfied customer is likely to hire you again for future functions and tell their family and friends about your catering business. Create business cards that you give to clients. You can also promote your business on social networking sites like Facebook and Instagram. Join local directory or listing of food businesses.
Photo: “Buffet Table under the Pergola” by , c/o Flickr. Some Rights Reserved