Hot Low cost Startup Idea 2016

Catering

What is it? Providing and delivering food and drinks to the customer’s premises in return for a fee. This will usually be for corporate clients that need food for board meetings, events, training courses conferences etc. Private sector clients might include special occasion catering such as weddings, funerals, anniversaries and so on

What’s the appeal? It’s a chance to work more flexibly and independently than you would be able to in a restaurant or café and obviously to be the boss

What skills do I need? As well as being interested in catering you really need a background in food so you have a feel for the basics such as supply and costing. And high food safety standards are a must – you and all staff need at least basic food hygiene and food handlers awareness certificates

What does it cost? It’s possible to trade from home if your kitchen has been modified but you will need catering equipment including large fridge/freezer (£1000), commercial microwave (£900), vegetable preparation units (£1000) as well as trays, utensils, knives etc. To transport food you need to keep it less than 8°C which means you should be able to manage with insulated food containers for short journeys

What can I earn? Clients are charged by the head according to the type of food they require. A cold buffet might be anything from £6 to £10 a head rising to up to £20 for a more substantial fork buffet. Full meals might be £30 and upwards – depending on what’s involved

Any red tape? You must register with the local authority before starting to trade and be inspected by Environmental Health (for non-porous services and separate areas for hot/cold and raw/cooked food). With premises not previously used for catering, you need planning permission and must comply with numerous food safety regulations

Prospects for growth To grow the business you will need to go out and sell it. This means
advertising, good word of mouth and cold calling – there are a lot of small firms which will be competition to you

Tips for success If you lose a client that could simply be that they want to try someone new – this can happen. But make sure you know why and alter the menu regularly to guard against it

Pros A truly independent business, which can grow and grow with the assistance of favourable word of mouth recommendation

Cons Stringent rules and regulations must be observed at all times – you could be spot checked by environmental health at any time and potentially immediately closed down
Useful contacts Your Local Authority to register the business The Mobile and Outside Caterers

Association (MOCA) for advise and training courses http://www.moca.org.uk/
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