How to Start a Catering Services Business: Tips and Templates

In this article “How to Start a Catering Services Business”, we will reveal to you the tips to start a successful catering business in Nigeria.

Generally, catering services in Nigeria involve providing food preparation and delivery services for various events, gatherings, and occasions.

Catering businesses in Nigeria are known for offering a wide range of culinary services, including preparing and serving meals at weddings, parties, corporate events, conferences, and other special occasions.

These services are typically provided on-site at the event location or delivered to the client’s venue.

Some catering business owners also known as caterers even go as far as offering menu options that include appetizers, entrees, desserts, and beverages.

They can customize their offerings to suit the specific preferences and dietary requirements of their clients.

Caterers often provide not only the food but also the necessary equipment, staff, and sometimes event planning services.

The key components that make up a catering services business include:

• Menu Planning and Creation
• Food Preparation
• Delivery and Setup of Serving Stations or Buffets
• Service Staff (waitstaff and Chefs)
• Equipment Rental (Tables, Chairs, Linens, and Dinnerware).
• Event Coordination for Smooth Flow of Food Service.

Here are the steps to take to start and launch your catering business in Nigeria:

1. Specialization:

Caterers can focus on a wide range of culinary styles and cuisines, such as Nigerian, continental, Chinese, Italian, Mexican, Indian, or any other type of food from around the world.

However, it is better to specialize in a particular culinary style and cuisine.

When a caterer specializes in a specific cuisine, it means they have in-depth knowledge and experience in preparing and presenting dishes from that particular culinary tradition.

This specialization should also spread to the chefs or staff members who are skilled in creating authentic and delicious dishes in the style of your chosen specialization.

Factors that can influence the specialization in a particular style and cuisine in the catering business are:

• Client preferences and demands
• Menu presentation
• Competitive Advantage

Specialization in the catering business also gives caterers the opportunity to provide a distinct and authentic experience for clients who want a specific style of food for their events.

2. Menu Planning:

As a caterer, you have to work closely with your clients to design menus that are unique and specific to each event.

This means you shouldn’t offer a one-size-fits-all menu but rather create a menu that suits the particular event in question.

This menu should also be designed to align with the overall theme or concept of the event.

For example, if it’s a wedding, the menu might include elegant and romantic dishes, whereas a corporate event might have a more professional and formal menu.

In the course of preparing or planning your menu, the menu should include a variety of dishes that cover different courses of a meal, starting with appetizers (such as starters or finger foods), followed by main courses (which may include meat, seafood, poultry, or vegetarian options), and concluding with desserts.

Beverages like cocktails, soft drinks, and other drinks should also be part of the menu.

There are two factors that may greatly influence the menu planning process, they are:

1. Dietary preferences of the event attendees
2. Budget considerations of the client

In essence, menu planning in catering is a collaborative process in which caterers and clients work together to create a menu that meets the culinary needs and desires of the event, considering factors such as the event theme, dietary restrictions, and budget limitations.

3. Food Preparation:

Food preparation extends beyond the preparation of ingredients and cooking; it aims to prepare dishes that are not only tasty but also safe for consumption.

The goal is to ensure that the food is not only tasty but also meets standards of quality, hygiene, safety, and visual presentation.

In other to maintain these standards, you have to employ trained and experienced chefs and kitchen staff who have the expertise and knowledge to handle food preparation.

These professionals should be skilled in various cooking techniques and must be responsible for making the dishes that will be served at events.

4. Event Catering and Off-Premises Catering:

You need to decide if you are going to be doing Event Catering, Off-premises Catering, or both.

Event catering involves setting up a catering team at the chosen event venue, whether it’s a banquet hall, outdoor location, or any other designated space.

This setup includes bringing all the necessary equipment, including tables, chairs, tableware, and cooking facilities, to set up the dining area in the event.

Event catering also extends to your catering team being responsible for serving the food to the event guests with the goal of providing event guests with a delightful dining experience.

Here are the service styles that are encompassed in Event Catering:

• Buffet-Style: Food is displayed on tables, and guests serve themselves. Buffets offer a variety of dishes, allowing guests to choose what they prefer.
• Plated Meals: Caterers serve individual courses to guests at their tables. Plated meals often involve a set menu with multiple courses, such as appetizers, entrees, and desserts.
• Family-Style: Similar to a buffet, but the catering staff serves the dishes to the tables, and guests share from communal platters.
• Cocktail Reception: Small, bite-sized appetizers and drinks are served as guests mingle.

The choices of clients play a great role in which event catering style will be needed at their event.

Off-premises Catering also known as “drop-off catering” is when you and your catering team are responsible for preparing the food, often at your designated kitchen or in a catering facility designated by the client.

When the food is ready, it is transported to a location specified by the client.

You and your catering team won’t be responsible for serving the dishes to the guests, as the clients have put in place waiters to carry out such duties.

Off-premises catering is suitable for various types of events, such as corporate meetings, family gatherings, private parties, weddings, and more.

It offers clients the convenience of having professionally prepared food without the need to cook or set up a full-service catering operation at their event location.

In Nigeria, off-premises catering service is the most commonly requested type of catering service among both event catering and off-premises catering.

5. Equipment and Staff:

Apart from the popular big egaé pot, and big iron and wooden spoons that are commonly used by local caterers in Nigeria, there are other specialized and high-quality kitchen equipment, which includes ovens, stoves, grills, refrigerators, and food preparation stations that caterers who are running a standard catering business should have in their possession.

These specialized and high-quality kitchen equipment tools are essential for cooking, baking, and keeping the food at the right temperature until it’s ready to be delivered to the client and served to the guests.

Having a competent trained and skilled staff alongside your specialized and high-quality kitchen equipment tools makes you the number one sought-after when it comes to catering services.

Your catering team should be made up of:

1. Chefs: Professional chefs who handle food preparation, cooking, and menu execution. They are responsible for ensuring the food’s quality, taste, and presentation. It is also important to specify the duties of your chefs based on their specialties.
2. Servers: Waitstaff or servers who are trained to serve guests at the event. They play a critical role in delivering the dishes, maintaining the dining area, and ensuring guests’ needs are met.
3. Event Coordinators: Event coordinators or planners who manage the logistics and coordination of the catering service at the event. They work with the client to ensure that everything runs smoothly.

6. Licensing and Regulation:

The number one regulation in starting a catering business in Nigeria is business registration. You wouldn’t want the government to question the legal status of your catering business.

Besides government compliance, registering your catering business with a business name and establishing a business bank account is a straightforward way to instill trust among your clients.

In addition to business registration, to launch a fully operational catering business in Nigeria, especially on a large scale, it’s essential to obtain a food handling or food service license from the health department, a division of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

Beyond adhering to the laws and regulations that govern the food industry, inclusive of catering, it is expected for every catering business to maintain high standards of food hygiene and safety even in the absence of regular inspections by authorities, which are typically conducted periodically.

As such, it becomes your sole responsibility as the owner and founder of your catering business to train your staff in safe food handling practices, consistently uphold cleanliness in your kitchen and food storage areas, and conduct regular inspections and oversight of your staff while they prepare food for clients to ensure it aligns with food quality and safety guidelines.

7. Marketing and Promotion:

There is a range of marketing strategies you can deploy to reach potential clients and convert leads into customers.

These strategies include offline and online advertising, public relations, word-of-mouth referrals, networking, and client testimonials and reviews.

The objective behind deploying these marketing strategies is twofold: to enhance visibility and attract patronage.

Another subtle marketing strategy that can not only promote your catering business but also foster repeat business is “Client Relationships.”

Cultivating favorable relationships with clients significantly influences the ongoing patronage of your catering service.

Building client relationships involves the interactions and connections that your catering business establishes with its clients.

Challenges of Starting a Catering Business

Here are common challenges you might face when starting a catering business in Nigeria:

1. Regulatory Compliance: Navigating the regulatory environment and obtaining the necessary licenses and permits can be challenging. Understanding and adhering to health and safety regulations, food handling standards, and business registration requirements is crucial.
2. Competition: The catering industry in Nigeria is highly competitive. Differentiating your business and finding a unique selling proposition can be challenging, especially in areas with numerous existing catering services.
3. Infrastructure Challenges: In some regions of Nigeria, there are issues with infrastructure, including unreliable power supply and transportation. These challenges affect the storage and transportation of food items.
4. Supply Chain Management: Ensuring a consistent and reliable supply of quality ingredients can be challenging, particularly if you are relying on local markets. Establishing strong relationships with suppliers is essential to overcome potential issues.
5. Quality Control: Maintaining consistent quality in your food offerings is crucial for customer satisfaction and business success. Managing quality control processes, especially as your business grows, can be a significant challenge.
6. Taste Preferences and Cultural Sensitivity: Nigeria is a diverse country with various ethnic groups, each having its own culinary preferences. Understanding and catering to diverse taste preferences is challenging but is essential for broad market appeal.
7. Staffing Issues: Finding and retaining skilled and reliable staff, including chefs and waitstaff, is a challenge. Proper training is necessary to ensure that your team meets the standards of your catering business.
8. Logistics and Transportation: Efficient and timely transportation of food to event venues is crucial for a catering business. Traffic congestion and inadequate transportation infrastructure pose challenges, especially in urban areas.
9. Economic Factors: Economic fluctuations and inflation impact the cost of ingredients, equipment, and overall operational expenses. Planning for economic uncertainties and having contingency measures in place is important.
10. Marketing and Branding: Effectively marketing your catering services to target customers is essential for business growth. Building a strong brand and establishing an online presence require strategic planning and resources.

KEY RESOURCES:

• How to start a small scale business in Nigeria (The Ultimate Guide)
• How to Write a Business Plan: Tips and Tricks
• How to Register a Business Name in Nigeria in 7 Easy Steps

READ ALSO:

• How to Start a Food Business in Nigeria (9 Easy Steps)
• How to start Home Delivery Food Business
• How to start a Profitable Food Delivery Business
• How to start a Restaurant Business in Nigeria
• Start a Profitable Frozen Food Business in Nigeria

Bottom Line

Catering services play a significant role in Nigerian culture and are in high demand for various celebrations and events.

The business can be profitable when managed efficiently and when the quality of food and service meets or exceeds the expectations of clients.