Category Archives: Catering Business

Now is the Time For Mobile Catering

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If you read the newspaper or watch the news, you know that now is a bad time for employees. It seems like everyone’s benefits are getting cut, if they even have a job at all. Record numbers are on unemployment, and people everywhere are afraid of losing their jobs. If you are one of those people, scared that you will be laid off, now might be the time to jump ship – for mobile catering is a thriving business right now.

We all know the industries that just aren’t making it in this economy. In general, they are ones that sell high-ticket products (cars, homes, jewelry, clothing) or rely on rich people to support them. The companies that are making it big right now are the ones that sell to peoples with less money, such as dollar stores. If you can sell high quality products at an inexpensive price to people without a lot of money to send, you have a recipe for success.

It is a great time for mobile catering because of this. The people who do have jobs don’t want to spend a lot on their lunch. Most people don’t have time to make and pack their own lunch every day, yet they don’t have enough money to eat out. Mobile catering fills this void.

In order for mobile catering to be a business for you, you don’t have to be a trained chef. You don’t need to know how to cook at all. You do, however, need to know how to talk to people, become their friends, and provide them with quality, fairly-priced goods. If you can do this on a regular basis, you will be able to build a business over time that provides a steady income and real stability.

Popularity: 1% [?]

How to Avoid Patronizing and Catering to an Audience

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Catering is a people-pleaser attitude. It can be very subtle as we all, more or less, grow up wanting to please. These attitudes transfer over when we speak or express ourselves publicly and professionally. They are intentions and carry a message. Too much politeness is very often a sure sign that someone is lacking confidence, it can also be a manipulative strategy. Apologizing too much is another example.

Catering, as a mode or style, comes from poor self-confidence and lack of clear purpose. Trying to “make friends” with an audience can be devastating; the effect is as disappointing as a magician showing you how the trick is done. It robs us of the “magic” of the trick. We love to be fooled as an audience member; it is part of the game and subconscious expectation.

The key dynamics are take charge and control. There are two camps in public speaking and performance situations. Your audience is on one side (even if it is one person) and you are on the other. You are temporarily separated by an invisible energy field so that you can “perform” or “demonstrate” your act. You need that freedom. Your audience is always a passive spectator.

Patronizing is equally devastating. We have all been patronized one way or the other. When a speaker or communicator does that, it always tends to leave us uncomfortable and annoyed. Patronizing stems from poor self-confidence as well. It is unfortunately often connected to earlier childhood inferiority complexes. It is a compensation mechanism. I patronize as a way to protect myself. The paradox is that if you demonstrate to an audience or a person that you need “protection” from them, they’ll end up feeling aggressive toward you.

It is sometimes difficult to realize that all human interactions rest on “VERBS.” There is always a verb active. Some are effective and pro-life, while others are energy zappers. Some are under our control, and others are unconscious.
Here’s a short list of ineffective verbs to avoid getting in action about: to patronize, to condescend, to bully, to withhold, to mock, to accuse, to reproach, to talk down, to victimize, to ridicule, to cater to, to avoid, to harass, to condemn, to ignore, to flee, to nag, etc.

Become more aware of your “automatic” communication verbs! The power is in the verb you use, followed by its natural flow of actions, gestures, facial expressions and words. Remember your audience follows your lead, which is your “verb in action.”

A good exercise is to ask a few people you work with, what your communication verbs are. Ask them if there are any traces of pleasing, patronizing or any traces of the above mentioned verbs.

Popularity: 13% [?]

Starting an Event Catering Business – Ten Steps to Success

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If you have a love of food and people or think of yourself as someone that knows how to organize a great party or event then starting an event catering business could be a great small business opportunity for you.

Here are 10 steps to follow to get your event catering business started successfully.

1) Research

Find out as much as you can about the catering industry and how to run a successful catering business. Try to also learn about small business management and marketing. Taking some classes on business or culinary related topics is one great way to prepare.

Research the industry in your town or city. Try to find out more about what the successful operators are doing, the size of the market and what kinds of events you should be targeting. Talk to people who have hired caterers before to try and better understand your future customers.

2) Experience and Qualifications

While most states and countries don’t require you to have any experience or qualifications to enter the catering business, if you have had experience working in the food, beverage and hospitality industries (or even with another catering firm) you will have an immediate advantage.

3) Look into Health Regulations

One of the most important things to consider when going into the business of food preparation and service is the local health regulations that you will be subject to. Aim to know all about the permits that you will need and the cost of complying with health regulations before you even dream about starting your business.

4) Think about where will you prepare the Food

Having access to a suitable kitchen space is essential if you are serious about your business. Is your home kitchen really sufficient or will you need to rent time in a commercial kitchen or work out an agreement with the restaurant owner?

5) Insurance

Before you set up your company you should seriously look into the insurance that you will require in order to protect your company’s assets and your company’s liability in the case that things go wrong and result in personal or property damage.

6) Menus

Start putting together a variety of menus for different kinds of events. Have a look at what other caterers are doing to get ideas about what is popular.

7) Practice makes Perfect

Why not have a trial run before you start your event catering business to get an idea of what it takes to cater an event for a large number of people. This is easy to do if you throw a dinner party for a large number of friends or colleagues. Pretend that it is a real event and when the party has finished, ask your guests what they thought of your service and you food.

8) Branding

Start thinking about an appropriate name for your new venture and think about how you want customers to perceive your business. How would you differentiate your company from the competition? What about your company values?

9) Financing your Business

Try to get a clearer idea of the start-up costs that you will be facing and decide how you will finance your business. Will you be able to fund the whole project by yourself or a will you need another form of financing?

10) Your Business Plan

Once you have given these other nine factors some thought, you can start to compile a business plan outlining set up costs, marketing and management methods and goals and targets among other points. Try to cautiously forecast your expected income and expenditure for the first two years of your business and then you will be able to determine how profitable your new business is likely to be and when you can reach breakeven point.

If you follow these 10 steps before going ahead and starting your event catering business you will be giving yourself the best possible chance of finding success.

Popularity: 2% [?]