Catering Business Information - Is a Catering Business Right For You?

If you are a business minded, creative person with a flair for cooking, a catering business might be an ideal venture for you. Managing your own catering company will give you're the opportunity to channel your creativity, energy and ideas into something you not only do well, but something you enjoy. Running a catering business, as with any entrepreneurial venture, you will encounter new challenges and be your own boss. The only limits to your catering business will be the ones you place on yourself.

What Do I Need to Know About the Catering Industry

Catering businesses prepare and serve food for social and corporate events. Corporate events include conferences, employee incentive events, customer appreciation events and meetings. Social events, such as weddings, parties or even private dinner parties are another catering market.

While food serve is a very important component, the most important aspect of any business is business development and marketing. Simply put, no clients means no business.

An outgoing, confident personality is a must in the catering industry, especially for anyone working directly with clients. Clients range from meeting planners, to stressed brides to corporate executives. In each case, you will need to not only market the food, but you will be marketing the service also. Clients must be confident in your ability to not only create a delicious meal, but you and your staff must act in a professional manner in every aspect of the event. This means the from the moment you first meet with your client until the final meal is served, the event looks seamless.

Building Your Network

All successful caterers must create a referral network in order to create and stay in business. The easiest way to do this is to introduce yourself to others in the party planning and event management industry. For example, wedding planners, party equipment rental centers, florists and bridal shops are all great connections. Local banquet halls which do not have in-house catering services are another great business lead.

Make sure you always have business cards with you, because you never know who you might run into while waiting in line somewhere. Follow up with your contacts and if you'd really like to show off your culinary skills, drop off sample appetizers or desserts to potential clients.

Catering Business Information and Tips

As with all small business, your success is directly related to your planning and executive of your plan. It is very important to understand your client's expectations and to meet, or ideally, exceed those expectations.

Keep in mind in the catering business, thirty percent of your time and labors will be related to the food, while seventy percent of your efforts will involve food delivery, equipment rental and staffing. This is why organizational skills are necessary to your success and survival as a catering business.

Enthusiasm, focus and business-savvy decision making skills are also vital to the long term success of your business. Fulfilling your client's wants and expectations will always be your top priority, and it is important to remember patience and understanding goes a long way in building and maintaining relationships.