Becoming a professional caterer also fills a need that will always be there.
A professional caterer can experience slow seasons, but there is always a need for someone who can make large amounts of food for banquets, parties, weddings, events, fundraisers, and a wide variety of other gatherings of people.
Becoming a professional caterer is a relatively easy process. It can vary depending on where you live and what kind of catering you’re looking to do, but the basics remain.
Here is how to become a caterer:
Step One: Learn to Cook
It doesn’t matter what type of events you are catering or what kind of food they’re asking for. If you do not cook the food properly, people will not want to eat it. It’s likely that they won’t hire you again.
The kind of food you’ll be cooking depends on the kind of catering you’ll be doing. As a general rule, you should know how to cook delicious meals using the basic proteins (fish, chicken, pork, beef).
If you’re catering events and cooking more than just hors d’ouvres, you’re going to have to understand how to put together a good dessert, as well.
Some catering companies even cook their own bread from scratch, and others still make their own pasta in-house.
Understanding the basics of cooking is critical if you want to be a professional caterer.
Luckily, you can learn most of these skills through on-the-job training. If you’re looking to start your own catering business, however, you may want to seek additional education. As a caterer, you should always be learning new and inventive ways to put ingredients together to make a great meal.
Step Two: Get Necessary Licensure And Incorporate Your Business
Depending on where you will be operating your business, there may be different requirements.
Many areas require that you achieve certification in basic kitchen cleanliness or not cross-contaminating food. Some areas require that you get specific catering licenses and insurance in order to operate a professional catering business. You’ll need to learn your local requirements, and comply with them before you begin your life as a professional caterer.
Step Three: Find A Cooking Space
When catering, many caterers prepare food off-site from where they will serve it. You will need to find an appropriate area to perform preparation of the meal, even if you’re going to be cooking it at another site.
Some places will allow a caterer access to a kitchen area. But that is not something that will necessarily be available to you at each catering job you take. It’s important to have your own prep space.
Step Four: Spread The Word About Your Catering Business
There is a lot of competition these days in the catering field, and if you want to succeed, you will have to find customers. Luckily, the internet makes it a breeze to spread the word about the services you offer and the meals you cook.
Be sure to use social media, advertising, and even word of mouth to help your business to grow.
Learn More about How to Become a Caterer
If you’re looking for a head start on your future as a professional caterer, or you just need help figuring out how to cook certain items, Stratford Career Institute can provide the help you need.
We offer a distance learning course on cooking and catering that could help prepare you for a future as a professional caterer.
Enroll today!
RATE THIS POST
Loading...Catering Courses at Stratford
Enroll now or request more information about catering courses at Stratford!