Well, knowing these 2024 food trends will help you stay ahead of the curve, impress your family and friends, and most importantly, have fun while exploring new flavors and techniques. Interested to find out what food or foods are growing in popularity this year?

Well, keep on reading! In this article, we’ll dive into some of the top food trends of 2024 that are shaping the culinary landscape. You never know, you might be able to incorporate these trends into your own home cooking and food-selling adventures!

Top Food Trends in 2024 # 1: Mood-Boosting Foods

According to UpMenu.com, mood-boosting foods are gaining popularity as more people recognize the direct link between nutrition and mental well-being. These foods contain nutrients that support brain health and help maintain emotional balance.

In addition to enhancing mood, these foods can improve memory and focus, giving you the energy to get through your day. Wondering what these foods are, exactly?

Here are some excellent mood-boosting ingredients you can start using in your recipes:

• Dark chocolate: Considered as a superfood, dark chocolates stimulate the production of endorphins, the brain’s natural feel-good chemicals, and provide magnesium, a mineral known to combat stress and anxiety. We talk about this and about other chocolates in this article.
• Berries: Strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries are packed with antioxidants and can help reduce stress. The anthocyanins and polyphenols found in berries have been linked to mood improvement. 
• Nuts and seeds: Almonds, walnuts, and chia seeds are examples of nuts and seeds that are rich in plant-based protein, healthy fats, fiber, and nutrients that support brain health. 
• Fish: Salmon and other fatty fish contain omega-3 fatty acids, which are great for your brain and mood. 
• Whole grains: Oats, brown rice, and whole wheat bread can help regulate mood and are rich in B vitamins, which are known, again, for boosting both energy and mood. 

Speaking of mood-boosting, one cuisine you should check out is Mediterranean cuisine. That’s because It features fresh, nutrient-dense ingredients like olive oil, fish, nuts, and plenty of fruits and vegetables, all known for their positive effects on mental well-being.

Top Food Trends in 2024 # 2: Personalized Nutrition

Personalized nutrition is another trend on the rise this 2024. According to KHNI, scientific evidence shows that our physiological and health needs vary based on factors like age, gender, and life stages. Consumers and scientists recognize that personalized approaches are more effective than general ones. 

That is why there is an anticipated growing demand for food businesses specializing in personalized nutrition. Even as a home chef, you can still get in on the trend by creating delicious and healthy meals tailored to your family’s needs with these ideas:

• Build-your-own salad: Let everyone choose their own vegetables, proteins, and dressings.
• Customizable smoothies: Offer a variety of fruits, veggies, and add-ins like protein powder or yogurt.
• Individualized baked goods: Provide gluten-free, dairy-free, or low-sugar options, or even sugar-free options, such as those that Ms. Chiqui Dingcong provides in her classes.

Top Food Trends in 2024 # 3: Global Fusion

Global fusion cuisine combines elements from various international cuisines to create innovative and unique dishes, merging flavors, ingredients, and techniques from different cultures. This trend is popular because it allows for culinary exploration and reflects a growing appreciation for cultural diversity. It makes cooking more adventurous and helps people experience global flavors at home.

If you enjoy creating new dishes, global fusion is for you. It can be a fun adventure for your taste buds and helps you learn about different food practices around the world. Here are some examples of global fusion meals that you can try:

• Sushi burrito: Combine the flavors of Japanese sushi with the convenience of a Mexican burrito by wrapping sushi ingredients in a seaweed sheet and rice.
• Indian spiced burgers: Mix Indian spices like curry powder and garam masala into ground beef or chickpeas for a unique twist on traditional burgers
• Kimchi tacos: Fill tortillas with Korean kimchi, marinated beef or pork, and a hot sauce for a delicious fusion of Korean and Mexican flavors.

Oh and before we forget, Chef Him Uy De Baron, one of the instructors here at The Bailiwick Academy, has plenty of experience with global fusion. Check out his classes here to get a taste!

Top Food Trends in 2024 # 4: Zero-Waste Gastronomy

Zero-waste gastronomy is becoming a major trend in 2024 in the food and beverage industry, reflecting a growing commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility in the culinary world. This approach is all about using every part of your ingredients to make sure nothing goes to waste.

Chefs and home cooks alike are embracing zero-waste techniques, from making stocks with vegetable scraps to creating flavorful dishes from overlooked parts of produce and proteins. This reduces waste and encourages innovation in the kitchen, leading to unique and resourceful recipes.

Want to get in on the trend? Here are some you can try:

• Vegetable scrap broth: Save your vegetable peels, stems, and ends to make a flavorful broth for soups and stews.
• Fruit peel jams: Turn your fruit peels and scraps into delicious homemade spreads, jams, and marmalades.
• Herb stems pesto: Use stems from herbs like parsley, cilantro, and basil to make a unique and flavorful pesto.

By adopting zero-waste gastronomy, you’re helping the planet and discovering new flavors and techniques to elevate your cooking. It’s a win-win for both your kitchen and the environment.

Top Food Trends in 2024 # 5: Culinary Storytelling

Culinary storytelling is another of the top food trends for 2024. No, this doesn’t necessarily involve food writers. Rather, it’s about chefs and restaurants using food and beverages to tell stories and connect with diners. This trend focuses on narratives, such as the origins of a recipe, ingredient sourcing, or the chef’s inspiration. 

Diners are increasingly interested in the cultural context and personal touches that make each dish unique, which is why culinary storytelling is trending in the first place. This approach not only enhances their dining experience but also builds a stronger connection with the restaurant.

You don’t have to be a restaurant to embrace this trend, though. Even at home, you can share the stories behind your meals to create a more engaging and meaningful dining experience for your family.

Here are some approaches you can try:

• Family recipe night: Cook a meal using recipes that have been passed down through your family. Share the stories and memories that go along with each dish.
• Personal milestones: Prepare a dish that celebrates a significant moment in your life, like a birthday, anniversary, or other milestone. Share the emotions and memories associated with it.
• Travel-inspired dishes: Make a dish inspired by a place you’ve visited or dream of visiting. Share the story of why that place is special to you.

What is the next big food trend?

Here’s the thing about trends: food trends in 2024, for sure, will not be the same as food trends in 2025. It takes a lot of consumer insight to determine what they will be.

If you’re not looking to get into the food business, that’s okay! You can still try out these trends at home and enjoy experimenting and serving new things to your family.

But what if you do want to start a food business? Simply hopping on the biggest trends might work initially (like ube pandesal or burnt Basque cheesecake), but to ensure long-term success, you need something more sustainable.

Well, you don’t have to look too far; the answer is right here!

Join The Bailiwick Academy’s Food Business Bootcamp!

The TBA Food Business Bootcamp is a 14-week program that will give you the right foundation to build and sustain a successful food business.

Here are the modules you’ll get when you enroll:

• Entrepreneurial Mindset
• Soul Branding
• Branding 101
• Business Basics
• Menu Planning
• Human Resources
• Marketing and Sales
• Accounting
• Food Costing
• Legal Fundamentals
• Employment Law
• Business Planning

Plus, you get three bonus classes:

• Excel Basics for Food Business Owners
• Meat Processing Classes
• Mobile Food Photography

At the end of this, you’ll learn how to have a business that’s low-risk, low-maintenance, and high return of investment…

Even without necessarily paying attention to food trends in recent months.

So what are you waiting for?

Go to this page to learn more about the Food Business Bootcamp!

Oh, and of course, for you to officially join, sign up at The Bailiwick Academy. That way, you’ll get access to plenty of classes, too!

See you inside the boot camp or inside one of the TBA classes!

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Keep coming back to The Bailiwick Academy blog for more kitchen tips, tricks, and much more!

The post Top Food Trends in 2024 appeared first on Online Baking and Cooking Classes - The Bailiwick Academy.

Well, read on to ensure that as much as possible, it’s your name—and your menu—on everyone’s lips!

Catering Tips 1 of 5: Close Corporate Catering Clients—And Stay Friends With Them!

Out of the many catering tips for your next corporate event, here’s one to keep in mind. Why? Well:

• Corporate clients often host multiple events throughout the year, providing a steady stream of opportunities. Research corporate events and you’ll find plenty of variations: team buildings, awarding ceremonies, recognitions, Christmas parties, and so on. Imagine being able to cater for all those!
• Satisfied corporate clients are likely to recommend your services to other businesses and colleagues. 
• Corporate events often have larger budgets, allowing for more creative and expansive catering options. Of course, they may have higher expectations as well, but I’m sure you’re more than able to meet that challenge!
• Catering for corporate events can increase your brand’s visibility among a wider, professional audience. That’s especially true since these events are great for networking, potentially leading to more business and partnerships. Of course, this means you need a team to do everything for you while you network and shake hands—don’t forget this part!

At the end of the day, you need leads and returning clients to survive—money, after all, is the lifeblood of all businesses. Corporate clients help you achieve that. By nurturing strong relationships with them, you’re doing more than just catering – you’re creating a supportive network for your business. 

Catering Tips 2 of 5: Specialize In A Catering Style

If you read Chef Joey Prats’ spotlight in this blog, you’d know that one of the things he advocates for is focusing on one product. That way, you can go all in on creating the product and becoming known for it.

Well, guess what? You can apply the same concept to your catering. Specializing in a particular style or type of cuisine can set you apart from competitors. 

Whether it’s gourmet, vegan, local cuisine, or themed events, having a niche makes your service unique and memorable. By specializing in a certain type of food or style, like gourmet, vegan, or local dishes, you become the go-to person for that special kind of catering. It’s a great way to draw in customers who want exactly what you offer and to build a name for yourself as the expert in your chosen area.

Catering Tips 3 of 5: Develop “Travel-Friendly” Food Selections And Solutions

One challenge when it comes to preparing food ahead of time is transportation.  No one wants their beautifully prepared dishes to turn into a messy, unappetizing heap during the journey, agree? That’s why developing a menu with “travel-friendly” food selections is so important.

Here’s how to ensure your dishes remain appealing and delicious, even on the go:

• Opt for foods that can withstand travel to the event space without losing their appeal. Baked goods, casseroles, and sturdy salads are great choices.
• Select items that stay fresh at room temperature or can be easily reheated without compromising quality.
• Food safety is important! Use containers that protect the food, maintain food temperature (both hot and cold), and prevent cross-contamination and spills or messes during transport. 
• Conduct trial runs to see how dishes fare during transport to the event space, adjusting recipes or packaging as needed.
• Ensure that the food still looks appetizing upon arrival, considering factors like sauce separation or garnish displacement.
• Design dishes that are easy to plate quickly and attractively at the event location, minimizing on-site prep work.

Remember, in catering, how your food travels is just as important as how it tastes! Considering these factors ensures that your food is always served at its best, leaving a lasting impression on your clients and their guests.

Catering Tips 4 of 5: Create Crisis Management Protocols

According to cvent, there are different types of caterers: front-facing caterers who help with setup and guest relations; catering chefs who stay in the kitchen; and catering managers who oversee the entire catering team of servers and cooks. 

However, as the business owner, whether you prefer front-facing catering or staying in the kitchen as the catering chef, you’ll have to be prepared for any crisis that may arise. And yes, in the catering business, unexpected situations are bound to arise!

Here’s how you can create effective crisis management protocols to save the day:

• Understand the types of emergencies that could occur, such as food shortages, equipment malfunctions, or staffing issues.
• For each potential crisis, have a clear plan of action. This might include backup suppliers, extra equipment, or a pool of on-call staff.
• Ensure every team member knows their role in a crisis. Regular training sessions can help keep everyone prepared and confident. 
• Establish clear lines of communication for quick and effective coordination during a crisis. 
• Of course, don’t forget that as your business grows and changes, so should your crisis management plans. Regularly review and update them to ensure they remain effective.

By having solid crisis management protocols in place and being prepared for the unexpected, you show professionalism and can significantly enhance your reputation in the industry.

Catering Tips 5 of 5: Catering A+++ After Service

Out of all the catering tips here, this might be the most important.

You know what pro caterers do when they’re done with the event? They don’t just pack up and leave! They make sure that they have excellent after-service.

Here’s why and how to excel in after-service:

• Reach out to your clients to ask for their feedback. This shows that you care about their experience and are always looking to improve. Constructive feedback is invaluable for refining your service and menu.
• A simple thank you note or call to your clients can go a long way. It demonstrates your appreciation for their business and helps in building a lasting relationship.
• Use the follow-up as an opportunity to discuss future events. Inquire about any upcoming events they might be planning and how you can be a part of them. This proactive approach can secure future bookings.
• If your clients are happy with your service, ask them to refer you to others. Word-of-mouth is a powerful tool in the catering industry, and satisfied clients are often your best advocates. Try getting them on video talking about their experience with your company.
• Keep your clients in the loop about your new services, menus, or special offers. Regular, non-intrusive communication keeps you at the forefront of their minds for future catering needs.
• If a client has any complaints, address them promptly and professionally. How you handle issues can sometimes leave a more lasting impression than the service itself. Be as nice and graceful as possible, and remember that most people aren’t trying to be difficult; they just want someone to listen to them and give them a solution to their problem.

Final Thoughts

In wrapping up, these five catering tips are your roadmap to not just surviving but thriving in the competitive world of catering. By implementing these tips, you’re setting yourself up for success and longevity in the catering business. Remember, it’s not just about serving great food; it’s about creating an entire experience that resonates with your clients.

Ready to start your catering business but you don’t know where to start? Watch for my next blog post. I’ll be featuring some successful caterers, what they did, and how you can copy some of their methods to start a catering business of your own this 2024!

And before I go, I’d just like to remind you: don’t forget to sign up at The Bailiwick Academy for recipes you can use in any catering event!

— 

Keep coming back to The Bailiwick Academy blog for more baking and cooking tips, kitchen tricks, and much more!

The post Catering Tips: 5 To Help You Stand Out And Get Repeat Clients appeared first on Online Baking and Cooking Classes - The Bailiwick Academy.

Keep on reading as I walk you through these key processes to get your home-based catering business off the ground.

1st Step For Starting A Catering Business: Conduct Thorough Market Research

The first step in starting your catering business is to really get to know your market. This includes doing the following:

• Figuring out who would want your catering services and what kind of food they like. Are people in your area into fancy wedding banquets, or do they prefer casual birthday parties, or is there a demand for vegan and/or gluten-free menus? 
• Think about the prices people are willing to pay and what times of the year get really busy with events. This part of the job might involve some online research, talking to people, and maybe even checking out different types of events to see what’s popular. Getting this step right sets you up to create a business that really fits into your community and stands out from the competition.

Understanding what people around you want and what other catering businesses are offering (or not offering) can help you find your own special spot in the catering world.

What happens if you skip market research?

Not doing market research when you start your catering business is like trying to hit a target while blindfolded. This means you might make a menu that doesn’t fit what people in your area are looking for. For example, you could end up offering fancy, expensive dishes in a place where people prefer simple, affordable food, or the other way around.

Also, you might set your prices too high and scare customers away, or too low and not make enough money. Plus, you could miss out on finding a special service or dish that nobody else is offering to any potential client. In short, skipping market research can lead to making bad choices for your business, wasting time and money, and having a hard time getting and keeping customers.

2nd Step For Starting A Catering Business: Develop a Solid Business Plan

After you’ve got a good handle on the market, the next big step is to make a solid business plan. Make sure it includes the following:

• How much you’ll charge for your services, who you want to cater to (like weddings, parties, or corporate events), and how you’ll let people know about your business.
• How much it’ll cost to start your business, keep it running, and make a profit.

Having a clear business plan helps you stay focused and organized. Plus, if you ever need to make business loans or get investors, it’s ideal to have a plan that shows how making an investment in you is a good idea!

What if you start running your business without a plan?

Sure, you can start your catering business without a plan, but there’s a good chance things won’t turn out right. Without a business plan, you might experience these:

• Spending money too fast
• Finding yourself in situations where you’re not prepared, like a big event that you don’t have enough staff or supplies for.
• A hard time tracking goals and progress—you might not know if you’re making enough money to cover your costs or if you’re charging the right prices. 

In short, without a plan as a basis or something to fall back on, you’re going to make things riskier and stressful for yourself.

3rd Step For Starting A Catering Business: Get the Necessary Licensing and Permits

This particular step is important because you want to be a legitimate and legal business entity, even if you’re just operating out of your own kitchen space. That means making sure you have all the right licenses and permits. Depending on where you live, you’ll need different kinds of permits, like a food handler’s license, a health department permit, and maybe a general business license. 

Getting these licenses might seem like a lot of paperwork and maybe a bit of a hassle, especially when you just want to start a catering business in the Philippines, but trust me. It’s worth it for your own peace of mind and for customers to trust that they’re eating food that’s safe and prepared in a clean environment.

What are the consequences of skipping this step?

If you don’t go through the proper steps and channels, you could get into legal trouble, which can mean fines or even having to shut down your business. Additionally, operating without the necessary permits can damage your reputation. If word gets out that you’re not properly licensed, it can be really hard to build trust with potential clients and make it difficult for your catering operation to grow and succeed.

4th Step For Starting A Catering Business: Create a Memorable Brand and Marketing Strategy

A good marketing strategy gets your name out there and brings in customers. Do the following to accomplish this:

• Think about what makes your cooking or your service special and use that to build your brand. 
• Your brand is what makes you different from all the other catering companies out there, so make sure it’s memorable—come up with a catchy name, a logo, and even a unique color scheme.
• Don’t just stop at having a brand—you need to let people know about it via a marketing strategy. You can use social media, like Facebook or Instagram, to show off your food and tell people about your services. 
• You could also make a website, hand out flyers at events, or team up with local event planners. 

What if you don’t take the time to make a brand and strategize your marketing?

If you don’t invest time in building your brand or your marketing strategy, you’ll struggle to stand out in the competitive catering industry, making it hard to attract and retain customers. Without a way to spread the word about your services, many potential clients won’t even know your business exists. This lack of visibility can lead to fewer bookings and limited growth opportunities. 

5th Step For Starting A Catering Business: Plan Your Menu Carefully

Since you are running a food business, it’s super important to think about what types of food you’re going to offer. Here are some things to keep in mind.

• Your menu is like your business card—it shows off what you can do. Make sure it has a good mix of different kinds of dishes so you can please all sorts of customers. 
• As mentioned above, include things for people who might be vegetarian, or who don’t eat gluten, so everyone has something they can enjoy. 
• Think about how much the ingredients cost and how long each dish takes to make. You want a menu that’s not just tasty but also doesn’t cost too much to make or take too long to prepare.

Can’t I just offer whatever food people look for?

There’s always the temptation to offer a wide range of foods that people are looking for, but it’s not always the best idea. Why?

• If you try to make too many different kinds of food, you might need lots of different ingredients and a lot of time to prepare everything. You’ll end up overexerting yourself which can affect the quality of your service and your food.
• As Chef Joey Prats says in this feature, it’s better to focus on a few things. This way, you can make sure the quality is always top-notch, and you won’t get overwhelmed. Plus, having a speciality can make your catering business stand out from others.

6th Step For Starting A Catering Business: Invest in Quality Equipment and Supplies

The sixth step is to make sure you have the right tools and supplies for your catering operations. This means:

• Getting things like reliable stoves, sharp knives, and sturdy pots, pans, and chafing dishes. 
• Think about what you need for serving the food, like trays, dishes, and utensils. 
• Note that it’s worth spending a bit more on these because they’ll help you cook better and faster, and they’ll last longer.
• Find some trustworthy suppliers who can give you fresh and high-quality ingredients. Having good supplies means your food will taste better, and that’s what will make your customers happy. 

Can’t I save up by just spending on less-than-quality equipment?

You might think you’re saving money upfront by buying cheaper, lower-quality equipment, but it can actually cost you more in the long run: 

• Low-quality equipment often breaks down more easily and doesn’t perform as well.
• You might end up with food that’s not cooked properly or you could face delays in your service as your business grows. 
• This can disappoint your customers and hurt your business’s reputation. 
• You’ll also likely have to replace or repair cheap equipment more often, which adds up over time. 

Investing in good-quality equipment is a smarter move because it’s more reliable, lasts longer, and helps you maintain a high standard of service.

7th Step For Starting A Catering Business: Hire and Train a Skilled Team

If you want your catering business to last, you’ll have to admit to yourself that you’ll need a team. Even if you’re great at cooking, you can’t do everything alone, especially as more orders come in. You’ll need chefs, servers, and maybe even a person to help with cleaning or deliveries. 

Look for people who are not only good at their jobs but also friendly and professional because they represent your business. Once you’ve got your team, it’s important to train them well. Make sure they know how to prepare and serve food the way you want, and that they understand the importance of customer service.

Is hiring and training a team really necessary?

Like I said earlier, you can’t do everything yourself. A well-trained team can make a huge difference in how smoothly your events go and how happy your customers are. They can help you handle bigger jobs and make sure everything runs on time. 

Plus, having a team allows you to focus on the parts of the business where you excel, like creating menus or networking with clients, while they handle the day-to-day tasks. It also means you can take on more events and grow your business faster. 

Final Thoughts

Starting a catering business, especially from home, is an exciting journey filled with opportunities and challenges. But by following these seven steps, you’ll be well on your way to launching a successful catering business in 2024.

Of course, I’d want to help make you even more successful. That’s why you should watch for my next blog post, where I’ll talk about simple hacks to get more business and referrals as a startup catering business. These tips will be invaluable in expanding your client base and enhancing your brand’s reach.

Stay tuned! And while you’re here, don’t forget to sign up at The Bailiwick Academy to access courses that will inspire and expand your future catering menu options!

— 
Keep coming back to The Bailiwick Academy blog for more baking and cooking tips, kitchen tricks, and much more!

The post Steps for Starting A Catering Business In 2024: 7 to Keep in Mind appeared first on Online Baking and Cooking Classes - The Bailiwick Academy.

Well, I’m not going to lie to you; it can be very scary to think about, but it’s also totally possible! And in this blog, we’re going to explore the idea of starting a catering business from home. 

Let’s dive in and find out how you can make this home-based catering business happen!

Who is a home-based catering business for?

If you have a passion for cooking and enjoy making others feel welcome, then starting a catering business from your home might be the perfect fit for you. This business model is especially great for stay-at-home parents who are looking to balance family life with a fulfilling career, aspiring chefs eager to showcase their culinary talents, or anyone wanting to move away from the regular 9-to-5 routine in favor of something more personally rewarding. 

Keep in mind, though, that it takes a good dose of discipline, strong organizational skills, and a touch of creativity to truly stand out in the busy catering market. But if you’re up for the challenge, this could be an exciting and fulfilling path for you!

Catering Business From Home: More Than Just Being A Good Cook

Starting a catering business takes a lot more than just being good at making tasty food. Here’s a look at some things you need to consider when starting out to make your home-based catering business a success.

Know Who You Want To Serve

First things first, you need to figure out who wants to eat your food. Do you want to cook for birthday parties, weddings, and other special occasions, or small get-togethers and celebrations that call for food? Knowing your wanted target market helps you decide what kind of food to make and how to advertise your business.

Learn The Business Side

When you decide to run a home business, you won’t just be a home cook. You’ll have to think of yourself now as an actual business owner, like a restaurant owner or a food truck owner. You’ll now have to think about your menu, your menu pricing, how to keep track of your money, and different marketing strategies to let people know about your business. 

Stay Safe And Legal

With this business model, making sure your food is safe to eat is super important. You’ll need to know and follow the rules about food safety and maybe get your kitchen checked out by the health department and get the necessary health permit. This keeps you and your customers safe.

Oh and of course, you’ll have to get a business license to keep things legal.

The Work Catering Business At Home Entails

Now that we’ve gotten some of the planning out of the way, the next step is looking at some aspects of the day-to-day work it entails. In no particular order, here are some to keep in mind.

Menu Planning, Food Preparation, and Presentation

A significant part of your day will be spent on menu planning. This can get complicated because you’ll have to create a cohesive menu that appeals to your clients, fits their event theme, and works within their budget. And once the menu is set, there’s the food preparation, which involves sourcing fresh ingredients, prepping them, and ensuring each dish is cooked to perfection. 

Let’s not forget presentation—the way the food looks on the plate is just as important as how it tastes. This requires a creative eye and attention to detail.

Customer Service and Marketing

Customer service is key in the catering world. You’ll be communicating with clients, understanding their needs, and ensuring their satisfaction. This could mean answering emails, taking calls, and sometimes dealing with last-minute changes or special requests.

Marketing is another crucial aspect. You will have to manage your business’s social media profiles, update your website, and create content like blogs or videos to engage potential clients. 

Networking, both online and in person, is also part of marketing. Building relationships with Getting to know people who can help your business is a big deal. This could be event planners, other businesses that can help you, or customers who can do word-of-mouth marketing for you to make other people patronize your services and give you more opportunities. 

Administrative Tasks

Administrative tasks include everything from managing bookings and invoices to keeping track of expenses and ensuring you’re compliant with any local business regulations. Good organizational skills are essential here to keep everything running smoothly.

Physical and Mental Demands

It’s important to acknowledge that catering can be physically demanding. You’ll be on your feet for extended periods, sometimes lifting heavy pots or standing over a hot stove for hours. It’s not just a physical challenge but a mental one as well. Each event comes with its own set of intricacies – from special dietary needs to ensuring the timing of each course is spot on.

Planning Your Time

Catering can get busy, especially when you have a lot of orders. You need to be good at planning. This means knowing when to shop for ingredients and to restock your pantry, when to start cooking, and how to get everything ready without rushing at the last minute.

Being Ready for Anything

Sometimes, things don’t go as planned. Maybe you need to change a menu quickly, some of your food handlers called in sick, an event planner is not being cooperative, or you’ll need to handle a difficult client at an event. Being able to think on your feet and solve problems fast is a big part of catering.

Work Hard AND Smart

Based on the above, we can conclude that like any home-based businesses, a catering business out of your home will take a LOT of work. But that doesn’t mean you have to do it all—that won’t be an efficient use of your time.  Let’s see some ways you can make home catering easier for you.

Make Friends with Efficiency

Think of your kitchen as your command center. Organize it so everything you need is right at your fingertips. Plan your menus to make the most of your ingredients and time to make everything flow smoothly.

Embrace Technology

Think of technology as a helpful friend who’s always there when you need them. Use apps for keeping track of ingredients, social media to show off your delicious dishes, and online tools for all the behind-the-scenes business stuff.

Love Numbers

You may not really like math, but keeping an eye on your finances can actually be fun (really!). Think of it as the scorecard of your business – it tells you how well you’re playing the game. Grow to love numbers, and you’ll be able to set prices that make sense as well as know where your money’s really going. 

Ask For Help When You Need It

Remember, even superheroes have sidekicks. As your business grows, it’s okay to delegate and get help. Maybe it’s someone to serve as an extra pair of hands in the kitchen or someone to do social media for you. It frees you up to focus on what you do best: making amazing food.

Factors To Consider For Running A Food Business Out Of Your Home Successfully

Once you’ve got your home catering business going, the next step is to keep it successful for years to come. Here are some easy-to-follow tips to help you do just that:

Update Your Home Catering Business Plan Regularly

Think of your business plan like a garden – it needs regular care to grow. As things change in your business and the world around you, update your plans. This might mean trying new types of events or changing how you manage your money.

Keep Your Customers Happy

Happy customers are the key to a successful business. Always try to make their experience with you something special. Pay attention to the little things, listen to their needs, and try to give them more than they expect. They’ll likely tell their friends about you, which can bring in more business.

Keep Up with Trends

Stay in the loop with what’s new in catering and food. This could be new food trends, ways of serving, or even tech tools that make your job easier. Being one step ahead can make your business stand out.

Learn and Grow

Keep learning new things about cooking and running a business. You might take a class, go to a workshop, or join a group of other caterers. Growing your skills keeps your business fresh and exciting.

Build a Great Team

If your business gets busy, you might need to hire some help. Take the time to train them well so they understand how you like things done. A good team can help you take on bigger jobs and do even more.

Check Your Prices

Every now and then, take a look at your prices. Make sure they’re fair for your customers but also that you’re making enough money. As things change, like the cost of food, you might need to adjust your prices.

Be Smart with Money

Keep a close eye on your money. Make sure you’re not spending too much and save some for slower times. Being careful with money helps your business stay strong.

By following these simple steps, you can keep your home catering business going strong for a long time.

Final Thoughts About Having A Catering Business Out Of Your Home

So, can you run a catering business from home? The short answer is yes! You just have to be ready to do the work and keep at it. 

Now, you might be thinking, “This sounds like a lot of work, and maybe it’s a bit too much to handle.” Don’t worry, I’ve got your back! 

In our next blog post, we’re going to cover “The 7 Crucial Steps to Starting a Thriving Catering Business in 2024.” These are going to be super helpful. Just focus on them, and you’ll greatly increase your chances of making your business a hit! 

Stay tuned! And in the meantime, sign up at The Bailiwick Academy and start browsing our courses for ideas on what you can add to your future catering menu!

— 
Keep coming back to The Bailiwick Academy blog for more baking and cooking tips, kitchen tricks, and much more!

The post Catering Business Out Of Your Home: Is It Possible? appeared first on Online Baking and Cooking Classes - The Bailiwick Academy.

Well, I can totally relate! I can’t count the number of times I’ve had customers call me, disappointed about how their ordered baked goods arrived. It’s definitely not a pleasant experience, just like how one Bailiwicker showed in the TBA Student Lounge.

She ended up having to create another cake just to make the customer happy—at her expense, even if it wasn’t her fault. This is what we all want to avoid, agree?

If you’re looking for solutions on how to transport baked goods without them arriving disassembled in disarray, especially during this holiday season, keep reading. I’ll talk about tips for transporting desserts. 

Ready to start? Let’s get to it!

*Note: This was originally written last December 12, 2020. It has been updated today, October 3, 2023.

How To Transport Your Baked Goods Safely: Things To Remember

For your baked goods, reaching their destination securely and intact means you’ll have to ensure the following:

Pick the Right Boxes or Containers

Whether you’re transporting banana bread or bundt cakes, picking the right treat box or container is very important. Use strong boxes or containers that are made for carrying food. This stops the food from moving around and ensures food safety. 

Also, use wax or parchment paper to stop food from sticking and soft materials like bubble wrap to protect the fragile ones.

One more tip: don’t assume that a solution for one type of food will serve for other types. After all, how to transport freshly baked bread might differ from cakes with buttercream frosting, which likely require more care. Research what you should do to ensure transportation success.

If you’re looking for boxes, containers, wax papers, etc., check out the TBA Shop!

Consider Delivery Times

If your customer ordered something that, say, required you to do plenty of cake decorating, you want to make sure they get the order as soon as possible to prevent any damage that might happen. Therefore, especially in the Philippines, it’s probably best to have it delivered when it’s not traffic. That way, your cake will be in your client’s hands quicker—and you’ll have less stress to think about!

The temperature is also important when it comes to delivery times. For instance, some foods like chocolate can melt, and foods with cream can go bad if they get too warm. Again, that means the food should arrive at your client’s location as quickly as possible, which means delivering it at unusual hours if possible.

However, if it’s not, don’t forget to provide bags or coolers that can keep the food cool and, if needed, use ice packs to keep everything at the right temperature while the item is being delivered.

Place Foods Carefully in the Box or Container

When you transport desserts, keep in mind that how you place the food is important. Put the heavier ones at the bottom and the lighter, fragile ones on top. Don’t put too much in one box; leave space between foods so they don’t touch and ruin each other.

When you’re done packing, make sure your treat boxes or storage containers are closed tightly so nothing spills or gets dirty. Secure them with straps, mats, or even plastic wrap to keep everything in place.

That’s how to safely ship baked goods!

Take A Picture Of Your Item Before Having It Delivered

The best way to show to your client that you took extra care with transporting your baked goods is to take photos or even videos. That way, you have proof and a way to protect yourself in case you do run into a difficult client.

Do One Last Check

Before doing the final step of transporting baked goods, check everything one more time. Ensure all the food is packed tightly and you have the correct contact details. Let your customers know when you will arrive as well so they can be ready to get their orders.

How To Transport Your Baked Goods Safely: Have Customers Pick Up Their Order

Honestly, based on experience, getting your customer to come over and pick up their order is the best way for transporting baked goods. Why?

When customers pick up their orders, several potential problems are eliminated:

• Transit Damage: The risk of damaged or squished baked goods during delivery is removed. Customers can ensure that the products are handled to their own satisfaction during transport.
• Loss of Freshness: Without the potential delays of delivery routes, goods can be enjoyed at their freshest soon after they come out of the oven. Customers can also come with their own precautions when it comes to temperature-sensitive baked goods.
• Additional Costs: If customers pick up their orders, you’ll likely see fewer protests for delivery fees.
• Responsibility: Any potential mishaps during transportation, once the goods have been handed over, are no longer your responsibility. Just provide them with precautions and even the best roads to take on the way to you, and you don’t have to think about them afterwards. 

So, encouraging customer pickups, when feasible, can be a win-win for both you and your customer in terms of product quality, cost, and overall experience. But what if your customer really can’t come over, and they’ll have to have your item delivered to them?

How To Transport Your Baked Goods Safely: Delivery Options

Thankfully, in the Philippines, there are plenty of ways for you to get your order to your clients. However, not all of them will ensure that your baked goods will arrive intact! 

Let’s take a look at each one.

Bicycle

Getting your item delivered via bicycle means that your delivery fee will likely be cheaper. After all, a bike requires no fuel to run. Cyclists can also access paths or roads where cars will not necessarily fit, meaning there’s a possibility that your order will arrive sooner.

However, one thing to note is that bikes cannot necessarily go far. Bike deliveries are also affected by the weather. If it’s raining hard, bikers will likely stop and wait for the weather to improve. 

Also, bikers can’t carry a lot. And because bikes can hit bumps, you need to pack your items really well so they don’t get damaged. 

In short, if you want to make sure you don’t end up like this meme of Wadough’s:

Do not get bike deliveries for transporting cupcakes or other items that can be damaged due to movement.

Motorcycle

This delivery method is super popular—we’ve got many apps just for it. What’s good and bad about it? 

Well, let’s look at the good first. Like bicycles, motorcycles can move quickly through traffic and tight spots, so deliveries arrive quicker. However, motorcycles or scooters can travel further than bikes. 

Motorcycle deliveries are also affordable, making it great for small businesses. Plus, because it’s app-based, you can see where your delivery is.

Of course, motorcycles are not the sturdiest way to move things. They’re great if you’re thinking of how to transport freshly baked bread. But for delicate stuff like cakes (even if they’re in cake boxes) and pies, not so much.

Popular pie maker Hey Pie has even cautioned people from booking delivery of their orders via motorcycles:

In short, if you’re going to go with a motorcycle, consider the nature of your baked goods and prioritize their safety. After all, a happy customer is one who receives their order in perfect shape.

Car

Using a car to transport your baked goods is a top choice. Cars can cover longer distances than bicycles or scooters, allowing you to deliver more substantial and numerous orders simultaneously. Weather, like mild or moderate rain, doesn’t affect car deliveries much, making it a reliable option in unpredictable conditions. 

Plus, cars provide the sturdiest and safest method for fragile items like cakes in cake containers.

However, there’s a catch. Car deliveries are generally more expensive and can be slowed down by traffic, leading to potential delays. So, while it offers many benefits, it’s essential to consider the costs and potential time factors.

Which one should you book?

You have to decide: save money or make sure your goods arrive perfectly? Maybe spend more for better service?

It’s up to you. Everyone’s products and needs are different. Knowing what’s special about your baked goods will help you choose the best delivery way.

Conclusion

Considering how to transport your baked goods safely can be tricky, especially during busy months. You can use bikes, motorcycles, or cars, but each has its own good and bad sides. Sometimes, having your customer come and pick up their order is the best way. 

No matter what you choose, always make sure your baked goods are packed safely. This will keep your customers happy and coming back for more. Good luck with all your deliveries this season!

And of course, for the best baked goods you can give to your clients, sign up at The Bailiwick Academy! See you in one of our classes!

— 

Keep coming back to The Bailiwick Academy blog for more baking and cooking tips, kitchen tricks, and much more!

The post How To Transport Your Baked Goods Safely appeared first on Online Baking and Cooking Classes - The Bailiwick Academy.

What makes drinking coffee great, anyway?

Well, morning coffee is great in that it wakes us up. After all, the caffeine in coffee is a stimulant. It helps make us alert and gives us better concentration and focus.

It also helps that studies show the different benefits of consuming coffee, such as reducing the risk of diseases like Parkinson’s and Type 2 Diabetes.

People who love indulging in a cup of coffee or two often debate what makes it taste the best. Good coffee has a nice smell, the right amount of sourness, a good feel in the mouth, and a great taste. Making the best coffee starts with picking the right coffee beans and ends with making it just right for your taste buds.

How do you do that? 

Well, coffee can be roasted in different ways. For example, light roast coffee has a sharp taste and might remind you of flowers. Medium roast coffee is well-rounded, and dark roast coffee has a strong, smoky taste. 

Simply put, you choose the roast level you like best. The right pick can make your coffee taste even better.

So why are coffees and pastries great together?

There’s a special kind of magic when you drink coffee while consuming a fresh pastry—ask any coffee drinker! It’s not known to be an unusual food combination that works; it just is. But why DO coffees pair well with them?

Well, here are a few reasons:

• Contrast of flavors: The bitterness of the coffee balances out the sweetness of many pastries, making each sip and bite a delightful play of taste.
• Texture play: The smoothness of coffee perfectly contrasts the flaky, crumbly, or chewy textures of different pastries.
• Temperature balance: A hot cup of coffee with a room temperature or even a cold pastry creates a pleasant temperature contrast in your mouth. It can also be cold brew coffee paired with a freshly baked pastry.
• Boosting tastes: Coffee can enhance certain flavors in pastries, like chocolate or nuts, making them taste even richer—and make for richer desserts!
• Satiety: The caffeine in coffee combined with the carbs and fats in pastries can give a satisfying feeling of fullness.

There can be more, but in short, coffee and pastries just feel right together!

But as we all know, there are different kinds of coffees and different kinds of pastries. So, what are some good pairings? Let’s get to the heart of this article, shall we?

Best Coffee and Pastry Pairings: Espresso and Chocolate Croissant

While the croissant has its roots in France—like the opera cake and the baguette—it’s a popular pastry option in many bakeries across the Philippines. And while plain croissants taste great, what would make them even better?

Giving them a chocolate flavor and drinking them with an espresso! The robustness of an espresso contrasts beautifully with the sweet, buttery layers interlaced with chocolate. You’re in for a good time with this dessert pairing.

Best Coffee and Pastry Pairings: Latte and Ensaymada

The fluffy and cheesy ensaymada—especially the one made by Chef Joey Prats—offers a sweet contrast to the creamy latte, whether it’s a hot or an iced latte. With this pair’s complementary flavors, you’ll enjoy a creamy delight in every bite.

Best Coffee and Pastry Pairings: Cappuccino and Butter Cake

Love the frothy and mild bitterness of a cappuccino? It will be made even better with a butter cake’s moist buttery goodness. The cappuccino’s fluffy top will cut right through the butter cake’s sweetness, making every sip and bite just right—a simple and enjoyable pairing.

Make sure to enroll in Chef Joey Prats’ Amazing Butter Cakes Master Class for the best butter cakes you can experience—make them in different flavors, too!

Best Coffee and Pastry Pairings: Americano and Spanish Bread

Fun fact: an Americano is simply black coffee that has been watered down. Why? Well, the Americans stationed in Italy back in World War II found that the Italian version of black coffee was too strong.

They requested their particular coffee to be weaker, which the Italians did, calling this version “Americano” to distinguish it from the Italian coffee. Cool, huh?

Anyway, the Americano is still pretty strong and is a great counterpart to the sweet butter and sugar filling of a Pinoy bakery favorite, the Spanish bread. Incidentally, it’s called Spanish bread, which is not Spanish at all—another fun fact! 

You know what else is fun? Making Spanish bread using Chef Jimbo de Panadero’s recipe. Try it for yourself—you won’t regret it!

Best Coffee and Pastry Pairings: Cold Brew and Banana Loaf

Cold brew coffee stands out for its silky smoothness, thanks to a brewing process that extracts the gentle coffee bean flavors and leaves out the typical coffee bitterness. The coffee becomes light and refreshing.

This also makes it a good pair with a banana loaf, a soft and sweet bread that gives a comforting and slightly sweet taste. Try it out; you’ll appreciate the cold brew’s mellow notes seamlessly going with the banana loaf’s sweetness. 

Best Coffee and Pastry Pairings: Flat White and Pandesal with Cheese

The pandesal is one of the most iconic breads in the Philippines. Heck, entire franchises have been built selling nothing but this bread! It’s also a favorite during breakfast and merienda, especially when eaten with cheese slices.

Want to make the experience even better? Do a food pairing: pandesal with cheese and a hot flat white! This drink’s creamy texture and subtle coffee notes enhance the taste of the pandesal, and its richness complements the saltiness of the cheese, creating a perfect balance.

Best Coffee and Pastry Pairings: Macchiato & Egg Pie

The macchiato is one of the most beloved coffee drinks, probably because of its hints of caramel. It’s strong but has a sweet side because of these caramel flavors. On the other hand, the Filipino egg pie is a soft dessert filled with creamy custard with a gentle sweetness.

And when you pair them, the caramel coffee flavoring makes the egg pie’s sweetness stand out more. At the same time, the creamy pie balances the strong coffee. In other words, the caramel undertones of a macchiato beautifully enhance the creamy custard filling of the traditional Filipino egg pie.

And, of course, for the best egg pie you can make and eat, check out Chef Jimbo’s Classic Filipino Egg Pie class!

Want to learn more about pastry and coffee pairings?

These are just some coffee pairings with Filipino food. Want to learn about pairing coffee with other desserts? Or get better at making coffee?

Well, you’re in luck with Chef Ely Salar’s newest online class: Artisanal Coffee and Pastry Pairing!

With this class, you can explore making artisanal coffee with an in-depth look at espresso-making, coffee fundamentals, and even machine calibration! You’ll be able to make all coffee cups a work of art.

Not only that; you’ll be able to make flavorful coffee, too, such as:

• Cappuccino
• Flat White
• Hot and Iced Americano
• Hot and Iced Lattè
• Hot and Iced Tablea Cafè Mocha
• Hot and Iced Matcha Specialty Drink
• Hot and Iced Spanish Lattè

You’ll also get a recipe for various irresistible mini-pound cakes for some irresistible coffee and dessert pairing. Whether you’re looking to start a food business, want to know more about coffee, or just indulge in better coffee, this class is for you!

So what are you waiting for? Sign up at The Bailiwick Academy and make leveled-up coffee and dessert pairings today!

Conclusion

Isn’t it great to know that our favorite Filipino treats and different kinds of coffees are a match made in heaven? From our loved pandesal to the sweet egg pie, there are different kinds of coffee out there that make them taste even better! 

Of course, this list is far from conclusive. We encourage you to try new coffee and pastry pairings and find your favorite match. There are more out there—and not just with Filipino treats!

And if you’re curious to learn more and make your own great coffee at home, don’t forget to enroll in Chef Ely Salar’s class here at The Bailiwick Academy. Cheers to more delicious mornings and afternoons ahead, and see you in class!

— 

Keep coming back to The Bailiwick Academy blog for more kitchen and baking tips, tricks, and much more!

The post Best Coffee and Pastry Pairings: Global Brews With Filipino Delights! appeared first on Online Baking and Cooking Classes - The Bailiwick Academy.

Well, if you are thinking about that, I congratulate you because knowing your audience and target markets is actually one of the first steps in any business. And in this blog post, you’ll find some actionable tips on how to do just that. Let’s get started, shall we?

* Note: This was updated on August 26, 2023, from an original post on November 11, 2019.

Decide On Your Ideal Customer

One problem about starting a business with no audience and target market is that you end up selling to everyone, which means you’re selling to no one. You might even encounter people who will call your products “too expensive”—one Bailiwicker told me she experienced this before.

Well, one great thing about starting your business is that you have the power to choose WHO you want to sell to! Yup, that’s right: you’ll define your target market. 

Whether you’re aiming for gourmet enthusiasts who value decadence and avant-garde food or busy parents seeking quick yet delicious treats, the choice is yours.

Create A Customer Persona

To help you identify your target market better, make it more real by creating a customer persona. Give them a name and what they look like. Aside from those, here’s what you should include:

Demographic Information:

• Age: What age range does your ideal customer fall into?
• Gender: Male, female, other?
• Relationship Status: Single, in a relationship, married, or other?
• Education Level: College graduate, high school, never went to school?
• Socioeconomic Class: Class A, B, C? Include the incom level.
• Location: Where do they live? Urban, suburban, rural?
• Occupation: What are their job titles? What do they do for a living? 

Preferences:

• Hobbies & Interests: What are their favorite pastimes?
• Shopping Habits: Do they prefer online shopping or in-store visits?
• Brand Loyalties: Are they loyal to particular brands or products?

Pain Points:

• What problems can your product solve for them?
• What makes them choose one product over another?
• What would make them buy your product?
• What would make them prefer you over competitors?

Here’s an example:

Joanna is a 35-year-old working mom with a managerial job level, earning Php100K monthly. She resides in Acacia Estates and has two kids. She likes cakes and pastries, online shopping, and values quality over price. Joanna prefers expensive sweets over mainstream brands because of this.

Now, just get a picture of what you think Joanna looks like, and you’re set. Doesn’t she feel more real, like someone who will inquire and buy your product? If not, add more, and be as specific as possible to really flesh out your customer persona. 

Doesn’t this mean I will be excluding other potential customers?

Coming up with a buyer persona doesn’t mean you will exclude other types of people from buying from you. They’re still very much welcome to buy your products. 

For example, you may target an audience in classes B and C, but people from class A may still want to buy what you’re selling. Just think of doing this activity for focus and direction. 

By identifying your core audience, you ensure that your marketing (such as content creation) and production efforts aren’t scattered but laser-focused. You’ll just choose to cater to a particular group, but you’re still open to opportunities from people who don’t belong to your target audience.

The Next Step: Deciding On The Product To Produce For Your Target Market

I know that signing up at The Bailiwick Academy gives you the power to create so many courses. However, it can also get confusing with so many courses to choose from. That’s why we should listen to the wisdom of Chef Joey Prats: focus on one product.

And how do you focus on that one product? You go back to your ideal target audience and find out what food resonates with them. That’s why you really dive deep.

For example, your target customer is someone who enjoys having people over throwing parties with cake. So you might want to produce only cakes from Special Celebration Cakes. On the other hand, if you live abroad and your target market is fellow Pinoys who miss the comfort of the Philippines, you might want to start selling kakanin.

See how knowing who you want to sell to is powerful?

And of course, aside from the product you’re producing, you should match their preferences in taste and packaging. If your chosen market segment likes luxury, use premium ingredients and high-end materials for packaging. If you choose to sell to a market that values affordability, you can use alternatives to premium ingredients or churn out smaller versions of your products.

Reaching Your Target Market

When you have finally decided on a target market and a product, there’s one last thing you need to do. That’s to get them to come to your physical or online store and buy. You’ll have to show up where they are so that they are aware of your presence.

Don’t worry—gone are the days where your only way of advertising and marketing is doing television or radio ads. You can now reach people organically via social media platforms—Facebook is still probably the most popular here in the Philippines. With a social media account, you can draw customers to your brand organically without having to pay for any advertisement.

Of course, just ensure you regularly publish content, such as photos, videos, or even text posts. That way, you won’t look like an empty page—they might think you’re a scam otherwise. Make sure the posts you make will appeal to your target market, such as how the products are made, how they’re eaten, and so on.

To ensure you’re presenting your products in the best way possible, it might be good to enroll in Mobile Food Photography. And to make sure your brand stands out from all the others—and appeals to your target audience—enroll in Branding 101.

Don’t forget to also engage with people who are visiting your site. Answer inquiries, make conversations—these moves will help endear your target market to you and make them fans of you, your brand, and your product eventually!

Final Thoughts On Finding Your Target Market

I hope this article helps give you an idea of how to get started on finding your target market. Remember, focus on one at a time to tailor-make your offer and product. Also, once you get started, don’t forget to form relationships with your audience so that they’ll be the ones to refer more people to you, and you never run out of customers!

If you feel like you need more education, make sure to check out the Free Courses in your Student Dashboard and to continually upskill with our many courses at TBA. All of these are for your benefit so you can grow your cooking and baking empire faster!

Finally, remember that there’s no such thing as a wrong target market. You can target the males, females, the rich, the middle-class, and so on. Just make sure you’re selling them a product they’ll actually buy, and you’ll be good to go.

— 

Keep coming back to The Bailiwick Academy blog for more kitchen tips, tricks, and much more!

The post How Do I Find My Target Market? appeared first on Online Baking and Cooking Classes - The Bailiwick Academy.

Even the most unlikely food businesses can become profitable. Have you seen Angel’s Burger’s commissary in Marikina? Who knew that a buy-one-take-one burger business model could fund a big building like that? 

Of course, profitability is not limited to just selling burgers. You can look at other examples of a food business, such as bakeries or stores that exclusively sell ice cream, fruit shakes, shawarma, or french fries. We bet you can name various brands that are successfully selling those and are making good money! 

But if you’re still on the fence about starting a food business, read our five reasons to create one. You might find yourself convinced at the end of the article-especially since The Bailiwick Academy can make things easier for you to start!

*Note: This was originally published on August 12, 2021. This was updated today, August 19, 2023.

Reason 1: Food businesses are always wanted.

The pandemic that occurred in 2020 caused many businesses to close down or reduce operations because they were declared as “non-essential.” However, many food businesses, such as sushi bake and ube pandesal sellers that became the “in” food, also popped up. These, the Philippine government classified as essential and important.

See? Having a food business in the Philippines during a pandemic means your income-earning capacity is pandemic-proof (although, hopefully, this never happens again)!

Also, your food business can be about anything, and people here would buy. Check out Facebook Marketplace alone, and you’ll see what we mean. People sell coffee beans, pizza, shawarma, milk tea, etc.

In other words, all food business ideas you can think of are valid because Filipinos love to eat! And now that the pandemic is over, Filipinos can roam and gather freely again. That makes for a great opportunity for you to put up your food business now!

Reason 2: You don’t need to be a chef to run a food business.

Unlike specific jobs, you don’t need to pass a civil service exam to have a food business. You don’t even have to be a professional chef, although that will help.

But think about it: not all chefs are also business people. Some would not want the headache of running a food business all while cooking at the same time. What’s important is that you have an idea and a target market that will buy from you. 

Of course, make sure to legitimize your operations by registering your business, even if it’s a small one. That’s the best way to start a food business in the Philippines – make it official.

Think about it: eventually, you might find yourself wanting to expand. You won’t be able to without the required paperwork, so make sure to fulfill the necessary requirements and save yourself a lot of headaches in the future. 

Reason 3: You can run a food business from anywhere.

Check out various food businesses in the Philippines. They are situated in bus terminals, near schools, or are food carts in malls. You won’t see the business owners or any franchisee of Jollibee running the store-they hire other people to do that.

The same goes for a catering business and other food businesses. If you plan to have a business outside your home, you need other people. Don’t think of it as additional overhead costs; instead, think of it as a way to multiply yourself.

Just make sure you train them according to your specifications and wants. Then you can relax at home and spend even more time with the family, all while earning passive income. Just make sure to quality-check your employees occasionally to ensure that they’re running your business smoothly.

Reason 4: You have many options.

What’s the best food to sell in the Philippines? Well, we can’t really answer that. As we mentioned in reason 1, Filipinos LOVE food.

So any of your business ideas would probably have a market. We recommend enrolling in The Bailiwick Academy for food recipes for business in the Philippines. Studying in our classes might give you ideas of menu items you’d like to sell; classes include making dimsum, doughnuts, and even taho!

But you don’t have to if you can’t think of any original food ideas. There are plenty of food business brands in the Philippines offering franchises. You can check out the aforementioned Angel’s Burger, Mang Inasal, or Red Ribbon as examples.

Again, we can’t say which food franchise is the best in the Philippines. Instead, we suggest checking the franchise fees to see if you can afford them and how they treat their franchisees. Also, implement a good marketing strategy for your food business in the Philippines to ensure you’ll make a profit.

Reason 5: Getting the word out about your food business in the Philippines is easy.

Word of mouth is essential when it comes to any business. If you treat a customer well, they’ll be so happy they’ll talk about you to their friends. That would bring more attention to your business, hopefully, more sales for you. And we know Filipinos love to tell stories, whether online or in person.

But you know something else? Filipinos love using social media. According to Statista, as of 2019, there were around 74 million Filipino Facebook users.

That means if even only one person posts about your food business, plenty of people will get to see it! And using social media is free. In fact, social media is one of the tools you should use for your online business.

If you are not using it now, you’ll be missing out on many customers who might be looking for your product. And that’s only for organic reach.

What if you started using paid Facebook ads to get the word out about your business? You can drive even more traffic to your business with the correct targeting and budget, get more sales, and immediately earn back what you spent on ads.

Want help starting your food business in the Philippines?

If you’re still unsure about starting a food business, why not start a food trailer business? It takes a smaller capital than starting a restaurant, it can help you earn more than a home-based business, and you get a mixture of mobility and flexibility.

Plus, you can experience the following benefits:

• Customization: From your trailer’s design to the menu, you have the freedom to define every aspect of your brand.
• Flexibility: Found a hot spot in town? Move there! Rainy day? Take a break. A food trailer gives you the liberty to operate on your terms.
• Fewer Staff Requirements: No need to manage a big team. Often, it’s just you, the cook, and maybe an assistant. It simplifies operations and reduces overheads.

If you’re thinking, “This is intriguing, but where do I start?”, you’re in luck! The Bailiwick Academy is opening up a new master class called Food Trailer Fundamentals!

Whether you’re an OFW seeking a profitable venture or a home baker wanting to level up and share your goodies with the world, the Food Trailer Fundamentals master class is your guide to success on wheels. Dive deep into the intricacies of this business, learn about potential pitfalls, and discover best practices from industry veterans.

It’s not open yet, but click here to join our waitlist and be the first to know when you can enroll!

Final Thoughts

Has this list convinced you? If yes, we can’t wait to see what food business you’ll start, whether home-based or a food cart franchise. Just remember, like anything worth doing, running a food business in the Philippines will take plenty of work.

But if you work hard and keep at it, you’ll definitely achieve success! 

Again, if you’re looking for food ideas to start your food business, you can find plenty of ideas here at The Bailiwick Academy! Sign up now and start browsing through our courses!

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Keep coming back to The Bailiwick Academy blog for more kitchen tips, tricks, and much more!

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Well, that’s exactly what we will talk about in this blog.

Key Takeaways

TL;DR? Here’s a quick summary of what to expect from this article:

• When planning a catering menu, it’s important to have a specific target market in mind. Focus on that one market so that you can memorize and perfect their needs, which helps you build a good reputation and gets you similar work. 
• Pricing isn’t just about the food–consider also logistics, cost of food, and other business costs. 
• Do further research and education to make better business decisions about running a catering events business.

A Quick Disclaimer About This Article

While we will discuss what to consider when planning a catering menu, this isn’t a deep dive into the topic. A food and beverage business or how to plan a catering business needs more consideration and information than just one blog article. So while we can give you some things to consider, we’d also encourage you to learn more for yourself.

For example, one of the courses at The Bailiwick Academy is Branding 101. Another is Bakery Operations. These and other courses might help you with how to create a catering business plan and make better business decisions.

In short, while this is a quick overview, this is not an article that’s an end-all-be-all about planning catering menus. Also, these won’t be in any particular order, but you have to really consider all of these, as these are important for a successful catering menu or business.

Got it? Good.

How To Plan A Catering Menu: Who Do You Want to Serve?

One thing you have to remember is that in business, you have to have a specific target market. You need to decide on who you want to serve primarily. This also applies to having a catering business.

Let’s say you do decide to enter catering. Do you want to serve personal events like weddings, birthdays, and baptisms? Or would you rather look for a catering event for business people weekly? After all, how to plan catering for a wedding differs from how to plan catering for an event in a corporate setting.

The question doesn’t stop there, though. If you decide to serve weddings, would you rather serve high-end weddings? Or would you be happy serving weddings that are budgeted?

Again, the people in these events will be looking for different things. And if you read our feature on Chef Joey Prats, you’d know that he recommends focusing on one product. The same advice counts for the target market: focus on one. 

When you focus on one market, you can memorize and perfect their needs and expectations. Doing this will help you build a good reputation and get you more work for similar people. That’s always a good thing, agree?

How To Plan A Catering Menu: Consider The Logistics

Now that you know who you want to serve, the next thing to consider is the logistics, as these will factor into your costs. As we said, you shouldn’t only consider menu items!

Let’s go back to the target market. Say you’ve decided to focus solely on corporate events. Will you accept only certain corporate events, or will you take on all of them? 

For example, what if you’re located in Laguna, and a potential client wants to get you for a corporate event in Pampanga? Will you be able to accommodate their request?

Aside from the location, here are some other logistical considerations:

• Staffing – You should determine the number of staff needed, their roles and responsibilities, and their schedules. This includes chefs, servers, bartenders, and event coordinators. Remember, the more you want to give to your clients, the more people you’ll likely need!

• Transportation – Transportation isn’t only considered if, say, you want to run a food truck. After all, if you’re going on location for any type of event, you should be able to transport the food, equipment, and yourself and your team to the venue. You should also determine the truck size you need or if a van will suffice. 

• Equipment – If you plan to enter wedding event catering, you should know that you won’t be able to survive on just one kind of chair and decoration. You have to be able to give your possible clients options that will fit their wedding themes. Catering for corporate events is more forgiving, but these clients will still eventually look for options from you. Consider also that catering can come in different forms: buffets, food stations, seated and served, stand-up cocktails, and even outdoor picnics. Do you want to be able to serve all that or just some?

How To Plan A Catering Menu: Pricing

Ever wonder sometimes about the catering cost per person, especially if you feel like it’s too high? Well, here are some factors to consider in how to price a catering menu.

• Cost of ingredients – This is one important factor in pricing. After all, depending on the market you choose to serve and the types of food they want, you could run up a hefty bill just buying the ingredients alone! Of course, you’re going to charge that to the client. Include also if you’ll serve an alcoholic beverage per person, if they have appetizers, and pretty much anything food related.
• Labor costs – You will also have to factor in the salaries of your chefs, servers, and other staff. In the future, if you add more people, even those not necessarily go with actual events, include those too! They do help with your business, after all. You might even have to raise prices to serve people better.
• Your equipment and logistical costs – How much did you buy your equipment, such as chairs, linens, and tools for food safety? How much are your transportation costs? Insurance? Factor those in as well. 
• Your markup – All these mentioned above are just your operational and overhead costs. If you don’t add in how much you want to make per event, you’re not going to make money. And you have to–after all, businesses survive because of profits, not because of anything else. You have to make money.

Once you have all these, divide the cost of the event by the number of guests, and that’s where you’ll get the cost per person. It is important to note that the cost per person will vary depending on the menu, the level of service provided, and other factors. 

How To Plan A Catering Menu: Planning The Food

Oh, look, we’re finally getting to the food! Why did we place this last? Well, it’s probably the easiest for you, especially if you’ve been making food for a long time already. 

After all, you’re reading this because you’re thinking of getting into catering. And that means you already have a preference for your menu, correct?

And it does go back to Chef Joey’s advice about one first. So what kind of food or cuisine do you want to serve? Sure cuisine that will sell is Filipino food, but you can also offer other ones, like Korean and Spanish. 

You can even choose to niche down further and offer only keto catering. However, how to plan a keto menu is much more complicated than the usual kinds. That’s something to consider as your price might go up!

Your price will also go up if you want to give clients options to serve their guests who have special dietary restrictions.

But once you’ve decided on the food you plan to serve, that’s when you can get to the nitty-gritty. You can customize courses, make avant-garde versions of the cuisine, and so on. It will really depend on your target market and what would appeal to them.

Final Thoughts

Ready to get started on making your own catered event menu? Just consider all the following that we discussed in this article. Remember to consider who you want to serve and all the costs that you will incur, and make sure you’ll profit! By doing so, you’ll be well on your way to not only building a catering menu that will impress your guests but you’ll also have a successful catering business that will last a long time!

Speaking Of Menu Choices…

If you’ve decided to go with our suggestion of serving Pinoy food to start, The Bailiwick Academy has a class that’d be perfect for you to start: Chef Anthony Ang’s Pinoy Handaan!

In this class, you’ll learn to make three classic Filipino party dishes that are restaurant quality using Chef Anthony’s recipes:

• Pancit Overload
• Crispy Pata
• And the very packed Lumpiang Shanghai!

Whether you’re catering for a wedding, a corporate event, or even a simple occasion at home, you can be sure that these menu options will make for a menu that will impress! That’s especially since this class has simple, clear and easy-to-follow instructions that will let you master the dishes in no time!

So what are you waiting for? Sign up at The Bailiwick Academy today and get started planning your perfect Filipino food menu by enrolling in this class!

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Keep coming back to The Bailiwick Academy blog for more kitchen tips, tricks, and much more!

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And you know the best part? You may already have the ingredients of some of these suggestions, so you can get started right away after reading this blog!

Excited? Well, without any further ado, let’s get to some decadent dessert ideas!

Decadent desserts meaning what, exactly?

When you call food decadent, what exactly does it mean? What does decadent mean in food? 

Well, the term usually refers to food that is rich, luxurious, and indulgent. And that usually means the food is high-calorie, high-fat, and high-sugar – definitely considered things you shouldn’t be eating on a keto diet. So in short, to answer the question, “What are decadent desserts?”, they’re desserts that taste super good – but are also super unhealthy.

Decadent foods are usually associated with events that are lavish or celebratory, like holidays, special events, or romantic evenings (hello Valentines!).

How did decadent food come to be? 

The story of this is actually quite an interesting one. According to Ehow.com, the “decadent movement” began in 19th-century France. Certain young and sophisticated people in Europe, for some reason, believed that civilization was, well, doomed.

And since everything was doomed, why not just make everything as pleasurable as possible, including food – even if it doesn’t make sense?

Well, as you read this, you’re probably already going, “Well, the word didn’t end!”, and you’re right. It’s just that a lot was happening back during that time, so we guess that’s why they thought that way.

Now, is “decadent” good or bad? Well, we would answer it really depends on your perspective. But one good thing about that movement is that the idea of decadent food was born. So now, we have food like chocolate truffles, truffle fries, foie gras, lobster bisque, and more!

Why should you build a decadent desserts menu?

You might be wondering why you would need to make a decadent dessert menu. Well, here are some good reasons, especially if you’re a food business owner.

You’ll have added appeal to your customers.

As mentioned earlier, decadent desserts are usually ordered for special occasions. That means if you have a menu that offers exactly that, you will easily appeal to your customers who are looking for something special – even to just cap off their lunch or dinner! A best desserts menu always gets the eye of people for sure.

You can use the decadent desserts menu to show off your skill and creativity.

When you offer decadent desserts, it means you have really special skills in baking. Show them off in your decadent offerings! Doing this also lets you explore and challenge yourself in coming up with new creations.

You will stand out from competitors.

Decadent desserts aren’t necessarily the norm, right? So if you offer them, your business will definitely stand out from your competitors. You’d easily attract customers who are looking for more than the usual fare.

Tips for creating a decadent desserts menu

Convinced to start making a decadent dessert bar menu? Here are some things to consider: 

• When selecting desserts, try to think about what beverages or drinks you’re going to pair them with, such as coffee or dessert wines. These can enhance the dining experience and create combinations that will definitely be remembered. You can even upsell them when people purchase your desserts!
• Don’t just stick to one flavor or type (i.e. chocolates only). Offering a different range of desserts with varying levels of sweetness, richness, and textures lets you hit more than one palate and preference. And when you add flavors or ingredients, you also hit another level of interest and excitement, which means more customers!
• Remember to also experiment with plating or presentation. Try to go about it as if you’re offering the most decadent desserts in the world! That means going all out in terms of presentation for added appeal and an experience that customers will never ever forget.

What are examples to include in a decadent desserts menu?

To be honest, there are countless options to choose from. But to make things easier for you, here are five of our suggestions of some of the best decadent desserts:

1. Churros

Churros are a popular dessert in Spain, Latin America, and several parts of the world. They are fried dough pastries that are made of delicious fried dough that are dusted with either cinnamon or sugar or even both. You can also see them in different shapes and sizes – knotted, thin, thick, long.

If that sounds decadent already, here’s something that makes it even better: you usually dip churros in a chocolate dipping sauce – making it a truly delicious and indulgent treat worth trying! Is chocolate decadent? It sure is!

If you feel like adding this to your decadent desserts menu, try out the Churros Con Chocolate class of Chef Joey Prats here at The Bailiwick Academy. It was born out of a frustration of not being able to find authentic churros in Metro Manila – so you can be sure that Chef Joey made it as authentic and as indulgent as possible.

2. Cheesecake

Cheesecakes are always a crowd favorite, but did you know they’re actually quite indulgent? Even the most classic, basic, New York-style cheesecake that has a graham cracker crust and a thick and creamy filling is decadent already. What more the other variations, especially when they’re topped with more delicious stuff?

And speaking of variations, you can get three of the creamiest, dreamiest, gourmet cheesecakes in the Luxurious Cheesecakes class by Chef Joey Prats – all pretty decadent, if you ask us!

3. Macarons

Macarons are delicate French cookies made from ground almonds, egg whites, and sugar, and filled with a creamy ganache or buttercream. They come in a variety of flavors and colors, and their crisp exterior and chewy interior make them a unique, delicious, and very indulgent dessert option.

Want to learn how to make not one, not two, but SIX variants of macaron that have the perfect look, crunch, and chewiness? Enroll in Parisian Macarons by Chef Joey Prats!

4. Crème Brûlée

Spelling out this indulgent, decadent treat is hard, but appreciating its taste is not! This smooth and creamy vanilla custard topped with a layer of crunchy caramelized sugar is luxurious and perfect for those who are looking for a treat that’s both creamy and sweet! It’s simple but is also one of the most decadent desserts in the world.

In fact, it’s so good, Chef Joey Prats featured this treat in two of his classes: The Cake Cannery and Special Celebration Cakes II! He makes both in cake form, effectively leveling it up!

5. Tiramisu

This Italian dessert is a heavenly combination of coffee-soaked ladyfingers and a mixture of mascarpone cheese, eggs, and sugar. Dust the top with some cocoa powder, and you get a heavenly, decadent dessert that is sure to satisfy any sweet tooth! 

If you’re looking for a surefire decadent recipe, check out this class: The Cake Pannery by Chef Joey Prats!

Here’s one more item to include in your decadent desserts menu

Notice something about all those decadent desserts we mentioned? They all have versions or recipes by Chef Joey Prats. And if you know Chef Joey, you’d know he’s a lover of all decadent food.

That’s probably why he transforms even ordinary, humble fare into extraordinary ones. The best example? His ensaymadas: they’ve been called “the Rolls Royce of ensaymadas” by FOOD Magazine for good reason!

And if you want to learn how he does it in person, and these luxurious treats to your menu, then we’re inviting you to join us for this very special, FACE-TO-FACE LIVE class: Deconstructing Decadence! 

This is happening on March 25, 2023, at Kessler’s Kitchen in Sta. Rosa Laguna. And in this class, you’ll not only learn to make the lightest, fluffiest, and most alluring ensaymadas ever, you’ll also get to take home plenty of good stuff, such as access to the recipes, and loot bags from our sponsors.

Plus, even if you’ve already taken his Artisan Ensaymadas class, Chef Joey will be releasing two new flavors that no one has ever tasted before! So those are added flavors to your menu instantly!

And ensaymadas are definitely good for a food business: one of our success stories, Joanna Cabrera, used ensaymadas to grow hers! 

Excited to enroll? Tickets are limited though – only 40 students are allowed!

So if you really want to learn how to make decadent ensaymadas – and so much more – make sure to buy your ticket today! Click here to reserve your slot at Deconstructing Decadence!

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Keep coming back to The Bailiwick Academy blog for more kitchen tips, tricks, and much more!

The post Decadent Desserts Menu – Foods to Include! appeared first on Online Baking and Cooking Classes - The Bailiwick Academy.