Advice on starting own catering business

fluffster

I'm thinking of trying to start cooking parties for kids and doing party catering for kids parties. I know I need a food hygiene certificate but not sure if I need anything else. I only have a small kitchen at home so would use the kitchen at a hired hall with kitchen facilities or in the clients home. Would this mean I don't have to register my own home with Environmental Health ? What about insurance? Anyone know how much that would cost? Can I see if there is any interest before I register for tax? Would this effect tax credits my husband gets?

COOLTRIKERCHICK

you will def need insurance, and also would the food be prepared or stored in your home? once your finaces change in the way of work etc, then yes you do need to tell the tax credit people, but i should imagine while the business is in it infancy( excuse the pun) then i should imagine your profit would be prcatically non- existant

the best place to start is to try and find the tel no of the government agency that is espcially set up for new business start ups in your area, you can phone or make an appointment and go along and have an informal chat about your idea, they should be able to help you find out the answers to your questions, and also give you some advice,

in wales its business eye,

as for using another kitchen, like a village hall etc, what would you do if you have a party booking and hte hall is allready book, and you can not prepare your food there?

have you done any sort of reasearch to find out if parents want this type of catering? and also how much they are prepared to pay per head?

also due to people watching the pennies at the moment would you get enough parties? plus have you got any other companies doing this in your area?

sorry for all the questions, but they are more for pointers for you rather than me being nosey...lol....


good luck... let us know what hapens

laurajayne

As far as I'm aware, you would be required to register with Environmental Health, as you would be preparing food, and they would want a permanent 'base of operations' to inspect.

Personally, I don't think what you have planned with regards to preperation is feasible. If you're going to use the client's kitchen to prepare food, then wouldn't they be better off preparing it themselves? I know I wouldn't want anyone else in my kitchen that I didn't know; and you'll be there a few hours. Plus, how much would you then charge - as you'd be using their equipment, lighting, power etc. Client's kitchens may not be to a catering standard, or they may have smaller kitchens than you do; or pets....

Then there is the storage and transportation of the foodstuffs - I'm assuming you'd be storing them in your own house.

I don't know what exactly you're planning to serve or how much you plan to charge, but I have to say, if you offered to come to my kitchen, make some sarnies and jelly, and then charged me much over cost, I wouldn't be using you.

I think you really need to rethink your plan - and decide exactly what service you are going to offer. Personally I think if you prepared at home (or in premises rented somewhere), then delivered at an arranged time, then collected (maybe deliver crockery...to either bin or wash up yourself), and had a 'menu' that set you apart from just doing it yourself, then you may have something that busy parents would pay for.

Whatever you decide, the best of luck to you!

Horace

I think that maybe you need to get some more advice from Business Link (nationwide government funded agency who give free business advice) or your local chamber of commerce.

As others have said if you plan on using your clients homes to cook in - then why would they use you, it would be cheaper for them to do it themselves.

You also need to have a look at the competition to see what they are doing, even undertake some market research to see if there is a need in your area for the type of catering that you are offering?

Don't forget you will also need to register your business with the HMRC within 3 months of start up, after that you face a huge fine.

You will certainly need to be registered with Environmental Health as they would need to come and inspect your kitchens and food storage facilities - they even check the colours of your chopping boards and will check to see if you are using the same knife when cutting raw meat and cooked meat which is a huge no no.

I think that before you take the plunge that you need to do more research and find out whether or not your business would be viable.

Good luck

fluffster

I am concentrating on the parties / classes side at the moment which would take place in a private home / hired kitchen (eg. church hall with kitchen). The catering side in something I may do later and would obviously have to be done from home then delivered to the party venue. I am going to do a food safety course then speak to Environmental Health to see whether it is feasible but have seen other companies advertising the cooking party service in homes. I am a mum just looking for ways to run a small scale business and this is one of several ideas I am looking into.

COOLTRIKERCHICK

fluffster wrote: »

I am concentrating on the parties / classes side at the moment which would take place in a private home / hired kitchen (eg. church hall with kitchen). The catering side in something I may do later and would obviously have to be done from home then delivered to the party venue. I am going to do a food safety course then speak to Environmental Health to see whether it is feasible but have seen other companies advertising the cooking party service in homes. I am a mum just looking for ways to run a small scale business and this is one of several ideas I am looking into.

good for you, allways look at diff ideas and options, and dont forget where ever there is a problem, there is allways a solution... its just a matter of finding it...

you might find when you have done your course and speak to the envirometal people they will also give you some ideas etc