With the wedding season on in full swing, catering is one profitable business. After all, whether good or bad, the food is one thing everyone talks about at a wedding. But catering isn’t just about great food, you know. Strategy and marketing are also key to a successful catering enterprise. So if you know your way around the kitchen, it’s time to master these other skills necessary to start your own catering set-up.
Variety is essential: It is important to provide a variety of cuisines to your customers. Provide an option that contains appetizers, main-course and desserts to ensure that your customer gets everything that he is looking for, in one place.
Keep things clean: Remember your expression when pull out a strand of hair from a plate of delicious looking curry? Avoid that! Keep things neat and clean and never comprise when it comes to food hygiene.
Never Say No: When you take up a food order ensure that all your client requirements are met. They might want the chicken cooked a certain way or the dessert prepared a certain way; make sure you take in all the requirements and never say no! Failure to fulfil an order as per requirement equates negative publicity. Sushant Shedge, outlet manager, Spices n Flavours Banquets, Mumbai says, “In the world of hospitality, never use the word no for guest requirements. Fulfil their need as much as you can and provide the best quality.”
Build your USP: Just like every caterer, you are there to provide food but what is it that makes you different from the crowd? It is important to have a specialty that you cater to which will impress your client and bring them back. Naina de Bois Juzan, owner of Le Bistro du Parc, Mumbai says, “There are many ways of being different than your counterpart. For example offer to have a chef cook certain foods fresh when your client wants a house party. Offer a range of three, five or seven course meals with adequate pricing or offer theme foods for certain parties. A caterer can find multiple ways to treat its patrons in the most exquisite manner that could truly leave an everlasting impression on your client.”
Hire a team: Catering is a team effort. A single person cannot handle the cooking, marketing and presentation. Make sure you have a dedicated team of 3 to 4 people who can help you with your daily chores. Make sure you hire chefs who can cook multiple cuisines. Delegate the cooking and marketing part to different people to ensure that everything gets done well.
License is important: Before you start your commercial food service, you will require a food license. Research about the laws regarding food supply and catering services in your city and acquire the necessary license and permits.
Connect with food suppliers: Your kitchen will require several ingredients and veggies on a daily basis. You can’t keep traveling up and down to acquire those so connect with your local food suppliers to fulfil your daily requirements. It will help you save time and energy and buying in bulk will also cut down the cost.
Word of mouth is a must: Catering business works on word of mouth. Make sure your food and recipes are talked about. Ask your customers to recommend your service for other people. Social media is also a great medium to promote your food business. Connect with restaurants, event companies and wedding planners who can help you get the right customers for your business. You can also contact local food bloggers who can review your food and help you reach out to people.
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