Licensing, Board of Health permits, Alcoholic Beverage permits, food cost analysis, uniforms, china, equipment….so much more than just being a good cook. Really think it through or you may turn something that you love into something that you loathe…and lose your ass in the meantime.

Just like craptacular I did this for a living and do not anymore. i had a successful businesss but it was very hard work and very difficult to secure reliable help. I made the mistake of owning my own china and linens- RENT THEM. There are several very good books on starting a catering co- Reaad them. Catering in the right town can net you a million in the first year- but you will sleep little and work hard.

Depending on how big you are going to get you will need the following.
A large kitchen with a walk-in cooler, and tables, cutting boards, deep fat fryer, ovens, steam kettle, mixers etc., and an ice machines ( You know what you prepare and what to prepare it with ) But make certain to have an ample supply of sheet pans and upright wheeled racks to store them on, because these go for everything!! Hot food cold food, and they make transporting much easier.
Set up .. you will want to have at least 5 2X8ft tables to set at place you will be delivering to, along with many colors of table skirtings, you will need both the availability to do in silver or plastic ware, so you’ll need to set up with a purveyor and price these things out at how much you want to be able to service, Next, get chaffing dishes, ( think one bufet line = 6-8 Chaffing dishes, get nice ones, the cheap ones look cheap and handles fall off faster from traveling so much) and sternos(fire in a can)Buy it by the case, most will last 2-4 hours, you’ll need bustubs to keep the cold food cold in, buying a few tubwraps 64X64 tablecloths make them look SO much nicer, and you will need trayjacks to put dirty dishes into, glassware you will need the racks that stack it is a wonderful space saver too. And you’ll need a catering truck, you can customize the back to strap down racks, but if you can get a lift on the back you will thank yourself a million times over. Also consider buying props to decorate your buffet tables as in mexican hats for a mexican banquet, empty cans of extra virgin olive oil with plastic bread loaves in them, or just loral arrangments to spruce up the bare spots, linen: you’ll need table cloths, napkins, and skirting, skirting clips and tubwraps Imentioned earlier can help make two toned tables…. Thats about all I can think of in supplies. Now the business liscense and good recipes are up to you.

I would say money, time, money, advertising, money, equipment, money, skill, and money. I thought about doing the same and unless you have clientele or a big advertising budget its going to be real hard. To much work for me. Good luck!!

Something unique, either product or type of service, which no-one else can provide. Or perhaps a great location which no-one else has thought of. For example, is there a neighborhood which surprisingly doesn’t have a diner or a pizza place – ie a catering desert?

Maybe you could start doing small dinner parties cooked (or partly cooked) on peoples’ own stoves in their own homes? Just think up a new angle – what about giving cooking LESSONS to people in their own homes – lots of folk would like that

Good luck,

DC:-)

I think that for the right money, people will do anything. Including legal things. lol

I would think a Business license and food handlers card.

eewwwww

Go to the local City Hall and tell them what you need. Hopefully, they will lead you to the direction for new businesses and what it takes to do to start one.

Good luck! I have always wanted a restaurant but do not have the $$$$ for it!

You better get your self registered with Placement Agencies, recruiting for reputed Banquettes and star Hotels. Being experienced bartender you shall not find difficult to switch over to job of your choice.