This document provides information about starting a catering business, including the market, attracting clients, and necessary skills. Some key points: 1) The catering market includes weddings and related events. Building relationships with local vendors in the wedding industry can generate referrals. 2) Advertising in local publications, maintaining an online presence, and networking can help attract clients. Leaving brochures and asking for referrals from contacts is also recommended. 3) Successful catering requires strong cooking skills, artistic food presentation abilities, business sense, and an ability to work well with people. Timing, organization, and preparing for unexpected issues are crucial.

1. PLANNING THE
CATERING
BUSINESS

2.  The Market
 Clients
seek a professional caterer for any number of
wedding-related events, such as bridal showers,
rehearsal dinners, wedding receptions and farewell
brunches.

3. To get attention:
 Attract business through ads in your local Yellow Pages, in
the society or wedding section of your local paper and in
special bridal supplements. Maintain a wedding-related or
food blog.
 Establish a relationship with local wedding-oriented
vendors--florists, bridal shops, photographers,
videographers, hotels and country clubs, bakeries and
cake decorators, jewelers and musicians.
 Leave brochures with all contacts and ask for referrals.
 Strive for a spot on the preferred vendor list at venues. Do
this by being courteous, communicative, on time and
respectful of the event property.

5. Learning from
the
Professional

6. According to the National Restaurant
Association’s Industry Forecast, social caterers are
one of the fastest-growing segments of the
restaurant industry.
No doubt, catering offers high income potential.
Catering can be a lucrative career, it is important to
keep all aspects of the job in perspective. Catering
is hard work, and often the easiest part of the job is
cooking.
With catering, timing is everything. You need to
be able to multi-task, organize your time with
military precision, and be prepared for the
unexpected.

7. Skills needed in the Catering
Business:
If you are an excellent cook, competent in
artistic food presentation, possess some basic
business knowledge, and love working with
people. There are many skills and
competencies that make for successful
caterers.

8. Cooking and Food Presentation
Catered events, unlike restaurant meals, are
usually centered around a special event. The food
has to be outstanding and so does the
presentation. For some venues, you will be told
that presentation is the most important factor, but
always remember that no matter how artistically
food is presented , if it doesn’t taste good, it
doesn’t cut it. Make sure that you and your staff
are experienced with both aspects of food
preparation.

9. Menus
One of the things that makes catering different
from the restaurant service is that the visual
appearance of the meal must be created on the
location. When you cater, you must assure your
client that everything will not only be delicious but
will also be presented in an organized and
attractive way. The menu is the best way to show
your clients you know what they like.

11. Children’s Birthday Party Menu

12. Afternoon Graduation Party Menu

13. Chinese-Style Buffet (for dinner)