Food and drinkFull timeA permitted kitchen and help on the day
Start a catering business
To start a catering business, choose the events you cater, such as office lunches or small weddings, secure a kitchen you are permitted to cook in for sale, and build set menus you can quote per guest. Then collect the date, guest count and dietary needs in every enquiry.
At a glance
- You start with
- A permitted kitchen and help on the day
- Time
- Full time
- Where you work
- A permitted kitchen, then the client’s venue
- Who pays
- Offices, families hosting parties, and couples planning small weddings
- Check first
- Food business registration, a permitted kitchen, hygiene training and insurance
How to start a catering business
- 1
Pick your events
Office lunches, family parties and weddings need different menus, staff and equipment.
- 2
Secure a permitted kitchen
Many caterers rent a commercial kitchen by the hour before they have their own.
- 3
Write set menus
Two or three menus at different levels make quoting per guest quick.
- 4
Ask the right questions up front
Date, guest count, venue, service style and dietary needs, in one enquiry.
- 5
Start with smaller events
A 20-person lunch teaches timing and transport before a 120-person wedding.
The app that runs it
Menus, event enquiries and a job sheet per event. Fabricate builds it from the words below; change any of them first.
Build free. No card needed.
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Questions about starting a catering business
- Can I cater from my home kitchen?
- Rarely for full catering. Most places require a permitted kitchen for food served at events. Check with your local health department.
- How many staff do I need?
- It depends on the guest count and service style. A buffet needs fewer people than plated service.
Or build the app for your own idea
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