How To Get Started Ina: Catering Business

How to Get Started
in a Catering
Business
Here are some pertinent
questions that may help you
in evaluating your
capabilities to become a
successful caterer
a. Do you have a basic knowledge in food and beverages? Are you
familiar with the commodities available in the market? What about
food qualities? Are you aware of basic cookery principles? Are you
familiar with the different beverages in the market? How many
beverage concoctions can you prepare and serve confidently?
b. Can you personally prepare all the dishes that you feature in your
menu and packages and do it in quantities? Can you take over the
production phase in the absence of your hired cooks?
c. Are you familiar with the different types of food service? Are you
knowledgeable of the different features and requirements of each
type of service? Can you set up an attractive and elaborate buffet?
What about thematic settings as required by your clients? Can you
serve special dishes with showmanship?
d. Do you have the talent to present food artistically for different
styles of service? Can you dress up the buffet table in various ways
that meet the requirements of the customers? Can you do floral
arrangements?
e. How is your basic Mathematics? A knowledge in numbers is very
essential in computing costs, weights, sales and inventories, among
others.
f. How would you rate your personnel management skills? Can you
maintain good working relations with your staff while maintaining
authority and control over them?
g. Are you familiar with the different foodservice equipment you
need in your business and its proper maintenance and care? Do
you know where to have it repaired or checked in case problems
arise?
h. Are you a sociable person? Do you possess that flexible personality
that can mingle with different types of people? Can you maintain
your composure and graciousness in the midst of conflicts during
functions?
i. Can you handle emergencies, sudden illnesses, accidents, and critical
situations with calmness? Are you familiar with first aid procedures?
j. Are you familiar with the rules of etiquette and social protocol? The
caterer should project authority in handling functions such as
weddings, testimonials, engagements to name a few.
k. Are you physically healthy to cope with the demands of catering? An
enormous amount of energy is required to meet the various
requirements of every function. Do you have the stamina for such
hard work, as well as for long and irregular hours? Do you have
effective means to overcome fatigue?
l. Do you have financial resources to
establish and sustain the business? Your
cash reserve must be sufficient to buy the
needed materials for the business as well as
to sustain its daily operations.
Analyze the catering potential in your
community
It is not enough that you have the financial resources to put

up a foodservice or catering business. It is important to
survey the catering potential in your target area. Do you
have prospective customers in the locality? Are there other
caterers in the community? How open are the people in the
community to catering services? Know the area’s economic
strengths and weaknesses. How much are they willing to
pay for you services?
Select service you can offer
With your capabilities, determine what type of services
you can offer.
On-premise Catering
Catering
Off-premise Catering
Services
Accommodator
On-premise Catering
In this type of catering, the caterer has his
own banquet hall with an attached kitchen or
production area.
Off-premise Catering
For this type of catering, the caterer brings the
complete service to the customer. The function
may be at a private home, church office, school, or
any type of outdoor affair. The caterer is provided
a kitchen. He brings other facilities and equipment
for food production, transport, and service.
Accommodators
Accommodators are persons with special skills in
cooking, baking, and serving. Usually, the client
provides for the facilities, food materials, and
equipment. This type of catering is usually done on an
part-time basis but can be developed into full-time
occupation. On charges, you can charge a flat rate or an
hourly rate. In case you need extra help, inform the
client of this need. Whether the client or caterer
provides for it, it will be still charged to the client.
Advertise
Find ways to market your business to reach your clients and be
known. There are many avenues for advertisement. Aside from
your actual performance, you can try flyers, signs, billboards,
newspaper, magazines, transportation signs and many more
depending on how much budget is allotted for this purpose. Let
people know who you are, what you are doing and where you
can be found or contacted. Be ready with business cards to
give away. Try community involvement and be known for your
craft.
Seek professional help
Knowledge in cooking, baking and
serving is basic. There may be instances
wherein services of a lawyer and an
accountant may be needed to secure the
business.
Check legal considerations
Find out what government
requirements you should comply
with or meet in establishing your
business.
Legal Considerations
Zoning
Prior to establishing a business in foodservice, one
should know the existing restrictions on allowable
business locations. One has to follow the
requirements for parking spaces, garbage
collection, or storage system. Check other related
restrictions when it comes to time of delivery or
loading. These considerations are needed to
successfully operate the business.
Licensing
After meeting the zoning specifications, necessary
licenses/permits must be secured to legalize the
operation of the business. Consider a license that
will allow flexibility, business growth, and
broader privileges so that the business will not be
constrained in coming up with strategies for
development.
Insurance
Insurance is one important consideration which would
need professional assistance. There are essential areas
for insurance coverage and there are coverages that may
prove desirable that may benefit both the owner and the
other people concerned in the business like the
employees and the customers. The potential benefits of
a good insurance program should be noted for it
contributes in reducing the uncertainties that may
confront the business.
Procedure in Securing
a Permit to Operate a
Food Business
1. The business owner or operator is required to
register the business name at the Bureau of
Domestic Trade, Department of Trade and
Industry for SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP, and
Securities and Exchange Commission for
CORPORATION. The owner/s is/are also
required to register their tradenames and service
marks with the Philippine Patent Office
pursuant to the Trademark Law.
2. The applicant is required to register at the Bureau of
Internal Revenue (BIR), to pay the privilege tax and
to register the receipts and books of the account. The
foodservice operator/owner is required to keep a
complete set of account books in accordance with the
bookkeeping regulations promulgated by the BIR.
The office specifies what forms are to be utilized and
how the records should be kept to enable the BIR to
determine how much taxes are due to the
government, and to know the condition of the
business.
3. The foodservice operator is required to register at the
Social Security System’s office and also at the
Bureau of Employment Services in the Department
of Labor and Employment.
4. After the above requirements are fulfilled, the
foodservice operator will now proceed to either the
city or municipal hall for the mayor’s permit.
Procedure in Obtaining a Mayor’s Permit
In the city/municipal hall, five offices are to be visited
before the foodservice operator obtains the mayor’s permit.
1. Engineering Department – the following fees must be

paid:
• Annual Electrical Fee
• Sign Board Fee
• Building Inspection Fee
• Mechanical Fee
2. Fire Department – requires an Annual Fire Fee, Storage
Fee, and Conveyance Fee.
3. Health Department – requires a Sanitary Inspection Fee. A
health certificate is also obtained from this department.
4. The Office of the Traffic Bureau is responsible for the
issuance of a clearance for parking.
5. After payment of all fees, the foodservice operator goes to
the Office of the Treasurer for the Mayor’s Permit.
6. If the business establishment is a restaurant that caters to
tourists, the foodservice operator must also file a similar
application for registration and licensing at the Department
of Tourism as required by the Restaurant Code of 1974.
7. The foodservice operation is also regulated by Presidential
Decree Nos. 522, 825 and 856 that provide measures
necessary to safeguard the public’s health. The legislations
require the foodservice operator a sanitary permit, health
certificates and to pay a garbage fee to the city or
municipality where the business is located.
8. The foodservice operator has to comply also with Social
Security Systems regulations, the Medicare Law , the Code
of Commerce, the Labor Code and other special laws. All
these regulations are aimed to protect both the customer and
the business owner.

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How to Get Started

It is not enough that you have the financial resources to put

1. Engineering Department – the following fees must be

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