Starting a catering business can be a very exciting endeavor, but one that requires much accountability in areas that include employee, client, and food safety. Many people consider the entrepreneurial route, but it is a risky road to take, especially if you don't set yourself up for success. You don't have to sell a unique product, but you should offer a one-of-a-kind service.

Anyone can start a business with the right attitude and financial backing. Competition will be fierce. You can't expect to put your feet up because it's your own business. On the contrary, you should expect to work very hard in the beginning. Before quitting your full time job in the hopes that you become your own boss and open a small catering business, ask yourself the following:

1. Are you committed? It takes more than just a good idea to open a catering location. It takes time, money and hard work.

2. If applicable, do you have the right partners? Friends are are not always good business partners. Vet potential partners as objectively as possible.

3. Have you done your research to make sure there's demand for your product or service? You may have a great idea, but how many others have the same idea?

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Start catering with credibility, and get licensed

All businesses are legally required to obtain some government license. Food preparation is regulated and licensed. In the catering industry, it is imperative that you meet all standards of food safety. Check with your state's Department of Health or Agriculture. Other official documents include seller's permits, federal and state employer tax id numbers, and trade name certificates. There are many online resources to help you find these documents.

I recommend: U.S. Small Business Administration is federally-maintained site for small businesses. It provides a list of state agencies where you can obtain business licenses. Additionally, Business Licenses is a fee-based online resource with statewide permits, including food and beverage licenses. ServSafe offers food safety and alcohol training programs that all catering businesses should take advantage of.

Join an association and build industry credibility when you launch a catering business

As a new business owner, you don't have to go it completely alone. Consider joining an industry association for support. Organizations bring together professionals with the same goals and challenges. As a member you have access to certification and educational opportunities. Professional organizations also organize networking events, so you can meet industry peers, vendors and suppliers.

I recommend: The National Association of Catering Executives includes a conference, local chapter meetings and classes as part of its educational program. The International Caterers Association offers catering conferences and seminars. The International Association of Culinary Professionals features the Certified Culinary Professional, an award for individuals who demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge of the culinary arts and sciences.

Partner with reliable vendors when you open a caterer's kitchen

As a business owner, it's imperative that you partner with vendors who can assist you in your endeavor. Your vendors must be dependable, accommodating and reasonably priced. You want to build a long-term relationship with your suppliers, and they must also share your interest in pleasing your clients. Additionally, they should offer a wide variety of products.

I recommend: Bar Supply Warehouse offers a large variety of bar supplies, kits and accessories. Galasource is an online resource that features all aspects of the catering industry.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Marketing your business is a very significant step in building your own catering service. Consider advertising in trade magazines and newspapers to begin with, and think about publishing a website.

Demand for catering is brisk and growing, which invites new businesses that can be highly profitable with low startup costs. Beyond having a flair for food preparation and stylish presentation, however, a successful catering business must be built on smart planning and an ability to nail cost estimates and master event logistics. Before you launch a catering business you need:
*Flexibility to deal with constant change.
*People skills to please clients, who are your best marketing agents.
*Superb organizational skills, because timing is everything

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Plan ahead

Start with software programs that help you map out your business plan, evaluating key costs and practical considerations.

I recommend: PlanMagic offers a business plan program geared to restaurants and catering businesses. BusinessPlanPro offers 500 sample plans, including a catering business plan.

Research requirements

License requirements vary by state, and most state health departments require on-site inspections of kitchen facilities before granting a license. A business license, tax license and certificate of occupancy are standard in most states.

I recommend: Get certified by the National Association of Catering Executives, which will introduce you to the ropes of permitting, which typically involves getting permits from municipalities and state alcoholic beverage authorities for each catering event. Also, buy inexpensive sample catering agreements and contracts at FindLegalForms.com.

Pick your niche

Whether it’s catering casual summer picnics or throwing fancy weddings, the type of affairs you choose to create will focus many of the decisions on equipment, staffing, and even marketing needs.

I recommend: Scope out menus, cuisines and the preparation logistics at AllFoodBusiness.com and Foodservice 411.

Equip your kitchen

In the beginning, renting a commercial kitchen may make sense just like leasing tables, glasses and linens. At some point, business growth may lead to outfitting a commercial kitchen with used and new appliances and equipment.

I recommend: Get expert advice on what you need from a food service consultant. Then try a one-stop supplier such as KitchenConsultants.com or cKitchen. To maximize your buying power, you can join Short Order, an alliance of caterers and restaurants.

Know how to make food safe

Hygienic food preparation is a must, which means up to date training for all personnel. There are classes available in bricks and mortar facilities as well as online training options.

I recommend: Premierfoodsafety provides classes in several languages at multiple locations and there are many online options including an online education course is from North Carolina State as well as a CD-Rom training course available for purchase from Chipsbooks.

Cover yourself

Catering insurance is essential for unforeseen incidents ranging from a diner contracting food poisoning from food you provide to a traffic accident that damages the food en route.

I recommend: Review a sample insurance addendum for catering. Also, the Small Business Administration provides a checklist for adequately insuring a home-based business. Insurance Noodle focuses on small business insurance and can be a good starting point.

Do your homework

No matter how good the food and service you can lose your shirt on nitty gritty details from last-minute cancellations to inaccurate cost estimates.

I recommend: Invest in a Catering Business Start-up Guide Kit, which helps you price services, estimate food quantities and establish menus. It also offers links to government checklists for startup businesses and other helpful information from the Small Business Administration.

Experience and good people

You need paid experience in a restaurant, private club, hotel or in a seasonal facility as well as proper training to establish yourself.

I recommend: Check out Culinary Business Academy for catering training programs and catering schools at EducationCenterOnline.org. When you need to hire workers, the National Association of Catering Executives has job postings.

Market Yourself

Once you are up and running you’ll find it’s a competitive business, especially during busy holiday seasons. So find a niche and brand yourself.

I recommend: Get listed on catering referral sites like DirectCatering.com. Also LocalCatering.com only charges $3 per catering lead.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Show clients you are serious by contacting them a month after the event seeking feedback. Word of mouth referrals are powerful.
• •  Try to suss out extremely difficult customers and don’t take the job. When you are starting out, an impossible to please client can drain your energy and momentum.
• •  Network with other small business owners, not necessarily competitors, for support and practical tips.

Starting a catering business can be the first step in a long term career in the food business, and many chefs have started by operating their own catering service before they branched out to restaurants. To start catering, you'll need the basics, like kitchen equipment, licenses and clients, but if you really want to be successful, you'll need some expert training in the catering business, too.

Before you invest in training for starting a catering business, check out the school and the type of training they offer. Do they:

1. Offer a degree or certificate in catering so you can start caterer service completely trained and prepared?

2. Cover every aspect to open caterer kitchen, including sales, marketing, and menu preparation and estimation?

3. Offer training for your employees as your own catering location grows?

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Check out catering training that offers degree programs to help you launch caterer business

You can find caterer training just about everywhere, from an open caterer location in your area to community colleges and culinary schools. However, before you settle on one training method, make sure you find out if they offer degrees or certificates, and who certifies the school. This can make a real difference in your career down the line, and give you increased credibility as an up and coming caterer.

I recommend: Ashworth University, an accredited online university offers a diploma in gourmet cooking and catering that includes comprehensive lessons on planning catering functions and booking, and how to open a home catering business. Kendall College in Chicago offers a certificate program in professional catering you can attend part-time.

Look for your own catering schools that offer training in business management and marketing

You can be a great cook and still fail at your own catering service, because successful catering involves business skills, too. When considering catering training, look for schools that recognize this, and teach you how to manage your catering business, too, from learning how to estimate food costs and portions, to transporting and setting up food at remote locations. You'll need all these skills if you want to be a catering success.

I recommend: Sullivan University offers an Associate of Science in Professional Catering that includes the business aspects when you open caterer kitchen, including licensing, accounting, food costing, and more. The Art Institutes offer programs in restaurant and catering management that can prepare you for just about any catering challenge you'll ever encounter.

Consider offering catering training to your staff as your open catering venture begins to take off

When you open caterer small business, your goal is to grow, and when you do, think about offering training to your staff members, too. With a professionally trained staff, you can sail through just about any catering trial, no matter how large, and you'll be able to take on bigger catering projects, helping your catering business to expand even more.

I recommend: ExpertRating offers an affordable online catering course that can help your staff learn more about the basics of catering cooking and operations. Penn Foster Career School offers self-paced catering courses that can help your staff move up the catering ladder as they complete each module.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Remember, open a catering kitchen and you could be on your way to much greater things. Martha Stewart began her career as a caterer, and there are many other equally impressive success stories out there. Catering combines menu planning, food knowledge, sales savvy, and most of all, planning, planning, planning. Read more about catering careers before you commit to opening your own catering business, and then get the right training to make your catering dreams come true.