How to Start a Catering Business (Even From Home): Licences, Menu, Pricing and Getting Clients

To start a catering business: pick a niche (corporate lunches, weddings, private parties, cultural cuisine, drop-off catering, meal prep), get licences and a permitted commercial kitchen (many places don't allow catering from a home kitchen), buy equipment and transport, create a menu with per-person pricing, use contracts and deposits, set up a website with quote requests, and win clients through venues, event planners, offices and referrals.

Step 1: Choose your niche

Step 2: Licences and kitchen

Business licence, food service/catering permit, health inspection, food manager certification, and usually a licensed commercial or shared commissary kitchen. Home catering is often not allowed unless covered by specific cottage food or home kitchen rules, so check locally.

Step 3: Equipment and transport

Chafing dishes, hot/cold holding, insulated carriers, serving ware, a suitable vehicle, and rental partners for larger events.

Step 4: Menu and pricing

Design menus that travel well. Price per person: food cost + labour + equipment + transport + overhead + profit; add service fees, staff charges and rentals separately.

Step 5: Staffing

Prep cooks, servers and bartenders hired per event or part-time; food safety training.

Step 6: Contracts and payments

Menu, guest count deadlines, deposit, cancellation policy, dietary needs, setup/clean-up responsibilities. Invoice professionally (see How to send an invoice).

Step 7: Website and online orders

Menus, packages, photos, testimonials, and a quote or order form; corporate clients appreciate easy online ordering (see How to make a booking website).

Step 8: Marketing

Venue preferred-vendor lists, event planners (see How to start an event planning business), office managers, Google Business Profile, Instagram food content, tastings.

Starting a catering business from home

Some areas permit limited home catering under specific rules; most require a licensed kitchen. Renting a commissary or shared kitchen is a common low-cost route.

Frequently asked questions

How do I start a catering business?

Pick a niche, get licences and a permitted kitchen, buy equipment, create per-person priced menus, use contracts and deposits, build a website with quote requests and market to venues and planners.

Can I start a catering business from home?

Often not with a regular home kitchen; many places require a licensed commercial kitchen, though rules vary.

How much does it cost to start a catering business?

It can start modestly with rented kitchen space and basic equipment, increasing with vehicles, staff and full-service rentals.

How do caterers price per person?

By calculating food, labour, equipment, transport and overhead per guest, then adding profit and service fees.

How do caterers get clients?

Through venues, event planners, corporate offices, referrals, Google and social media.

Is catering profitable?

It can be, especially recurring corporate catering and well-priced events with controlled food costs.