Tips for Starting a Successful Catering Business

Most people these days would prefer to start their own business. There’s something infinitely more satisfying about being your own boss rather than kowtowing to someone else. And then there is also the fact that you can earn huge profits assuming your business is an unqualified success, whatever field it may be in.

Among the most popular business ventures people consider is the food business. Whether they open their own restaurant or start a catering business, the fact that it is focused on one of man’s most basic needs is already the first step to success. All of us are harboring a foodie inside so we will always go out and taste new types of food and test our taste buds’ exotic quotient.

But of course, starting a catering business or any other business for that matter, isn’t as easy as pie. There are lots of things you need to consider, permits to get, safety and health regulations to adhere to and most importantly, catering equipment to rent or buy depending on your budget. Also, depending on how successful you are, hiring you is a risk that clients take because your skills can make or break the biggest corporate event or the simplest business meeting.

To ensure you become a name to be reckoned with in the catering industry, you first need to gain experience by working within the industry, for example as an assistant to an experienced caterer. This will give you the chance to expand your network and gives you the chance to experience how catering for any event works so you can decide if you can handle it or not.

If you do decide to embark on your own catering business, you should rent a commercial kitchen to work in. Your home kitchen equipment may not be able to keep up with the demands of your new business especially when you are starting to make a name for yourself. This is also a good time to decide whether you prefer to rent or buy your catering equipment as this comprises a huge chunk of your start up expenses.

The thing to remember is you don’t need to buy everything right away. Renting your equipment will give you a chance to determine what equipment will really be necessary for your business and what you can do without. Not all catering equipment is necessary but there are some standard items that you need to have and since they can be expensive to buy, renting is the best alternative if you want to manage your cash flow effectively.

Also, renting your equipment also saves you from repair or replacement expenses because rental companies usually cover these during your rental period. They also schedule maintenance checks so you can be sure that your equipment, like your commercial fridges for example, is always in tip top shape and great working order. You can check out Premier Sales & Rentals' commercial fridges Melbourne to know more details about renting catering equipment.

Another tip is to network with wedding planners and event coordinators. These people are going to be your clients and your business will depend heavily on how often you are hired by them. Word of mouth is the best form of advertising as you know so once you impress one planner or coordinator, you can be sure they’ll recommend your services to their friends. Just don’t be stingy with the discounts.

And last but not the least, learn to promote yourself as an expert caterer. Using social networking tools like Facebook or Twitter are great ways to promote your business and gain "followers" by coming off as an expert and dispensing good advice about the business.