Ok, you’ve made the decision to startup a catering business. Your next step then is to decide upon what type of catering business you want to start. Do you want to focus on the private sector (weddings, birthday parties, family events etc.) or business sector (corporate events)?
A big plus point with catering to the corporate/business client is that there is always the possibility for getting repeat business, if you pull-off a good job. A company may decide to use you as their sole caterers for all of their business catering requirements. Generally, corporate clients like to do business this way, having just one reputable caterer providing quality, reliable service at a reasonable price.
A big plus point with catering to the corporate/business client is that there is always the possibility for getting repeat business, if you pull-off a good job. A company may decide to use you as their sole caterers for all of their business catering requirements. Generally, corporate clients like to do business this way, having just one reputable caterer providing quality, reliable service at a reasonable price.
You will need excellent organisational skills to cater to the corporate client as often these events are put together with very little notice. Your ability to organise, adapt to your client's needs, and serve on time will likely be of more importance than your culinary skills.
If the corporate catering sector is not for you, consider the private catering instead. As an outside caterer focused on the private market, you will be catering for family events and parties such as weddings, birthdays, and anniversaries. Your culinary skills are likely to be centre point here and your menu will need to be quite diverse. Quite different from when dealing with corporate clients that generally are more interested in simple foods that can be turned around quickly and reliably.
Once you’ve determined which sector you are going to cater for, it’s time to do your market research, so that you know your customers requirements. This is extremely important in the catering business due to the high amount of competition.
If the corporate catering sector is not for you, consider the private catering instead. As an outside caterer focused on the private market, you will be catering for family events and parties such as weddings, birthdays, and anniversaries. Your culinary skills are likely to be centre point here and your menu will need to be quite diverse. Quite different from when dealing with corporate clients that generally are more interested in simple foods that can be turned around quickly and reliably.
Once you’ve determined which sector you are going to cater for, it’s time to do your market research, so that you know your customers requirements. This is extremely important in the catering business due to the high amount of competition.
In addition to knowing your customer you should also try to offer something that no other caterers offer, giving your company the edge over any competition. Perhaps you could offer to provide services that most other local caterers do not, such as serving staff, equipment and maybe try to offer something non-catering related such as a flower service or marquee hire.
These non-catering related services are common requirements to most events/functions, and clients often prefer to deal with one supplier than having to go through many.