In my last few blog posts, I’ve been giving you hints and tips on how to succeed in case you’ve ever thought about starting a catering business even from your home. But if you really want to know how to succeed in catering in 2024, keep on reading! I’m going to introduce to you some people who have experience and/or are currently in the catering industry in the Philippines and their stories.
I hope you get inspired by them!
Why Catering Is A Big Opportunity in 2024
2024 is shaping up to be a great year for starting a catering business. What makes me say this, you ask?
- There are already projections of more business meetings and corporate events this year. And if you remember one of my tips for standing out as a catering business, it’s to close plenty of corporate clients. 2024 makes it super possible to succeed in catering.
- There are always weddings here in the Philippines. For example, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), the number of people who got married increased from 2019 to 2022. I’m pretty sure the same thing happened in 2023, and will happen in 2024!
- And of course, Filipinos love to party and celebrate special occasions such as baptisms or birthdays. And with celebrations always come food, which means more catering opportunities success—and income!
Those three are more than enough reasons, wouldn’t you agree?
How To Really Succeed In Catering
Are you now really, REALLY encouraged to try your hand at catering this 2024? I hope so, especially if you’ve been dreaming of coming up with a cooking and baking empire for a long time already!
Now, how exactly do you go about it? Sure, I gave you seven tips to get started on a catering business… but I feel like the best way to really find out is to check out some of the best caterers in the Philippines!
I did a quick search, found this list, and this list, and found some commonalities of what makes them great, according to the lists:
- Delicious food of different cuisines
- Great service
- Beautiful setups
- An overall amazing experience
But here’s the thing: knowing what makes a great caterer and actually implementing these things are two different sides of the coin.
Besides, even if you know, how can you be sure that you can apply the knowledge and actually achieve catering greatness?
Well, that’s where Catering 101 of The Bailiwick Academy comes in!
Succeed in Catering in 2024 With Catering 101
Our Catering 101 course is like a training camp for caterers, perfect for enthusiastic home cooks like you.
You’ll pick up skills to make your catering business really stand out. This includes learning effective marketing, creating a memorable menu, and setting the right prices to ensure good profits.
We’ll show you how to smoothly handle tough situations and demanding customers. Plus, you’ll learn ways to make such a great impression that your customers will be eager to return.
This course is filled with tips and tricks from some of the Philippines’ top caterers and chefs.
By the end of it, you’ll be ready to handle big events, lead a great team, and have the know-how to expand your catering business.
Who will be teaching Catering 101?
We were on the lookout for caterers who could help us make this class really comprehensive… and we’re lucky that we already have onboard Chef Him Uy De Baron!
Chef Him is hailed as one of the biggest names in the culinary world, Chef Him runs various restaurants all over the Philippines and is one of the instructors inside The Bailiwick Academy since 2022.
Check out the preview of this class here:
But it’s not just Chef Him. Meet the others:
- Beejay Tantoco, who runs his family catering business Tantoco’s Catering (established in 1994) where they close government accounts, serve celebrities, and entered popular food markets like Mercato and Bancheto.
- Chef Kalel Chan, a corporate chef of Raintree Restaurants which operates 10 restaurants — Farmer’s table, Saboten, Cha Cha’s Boracay, The Coconut Club, Izakaya Sensu, My Country House, Jones All Day, and so much more. He’s famous for The Original Ube Champorado!
- Aileen Ferrer, a Bailiwicker, our community manager of the TBA Student Lounge, and a businesswoman who runs “Unwrapped – Flowers, Hampers and Events” — a flourishing floral and event styling company that works with corporate clients, weddings, and various events.
- Michelle Lazaro, another Bailiwicker who runs Balai Calamba, a catering business based in Laguna. She also owns two commercial kitchens strategically located in Las Piñas and Laguna. She has catered for corporate events of Hyundai, Chery, and Foton.
- We also have a mystery chef! He has been in the food business for almost 20 years. His experience includes working for Nestle as a Regional Chef Consultant, running a Catering Business since 2004, and starting a new food business last 2022. You’ll find out who he is when you join the program!
How Catering 101 Will Go
Catering 101 starts on January 28, 2024, and will be broken up into six strategic modules to help you succeed in catering.
Week 1: Laying the Foundations For a Successful Catering Success
This week, you’ll dive into the essentials of starting a catering business. This includes understanding the market, the diverse roles in catering, and what initial capital you’ll need. You’ll also learn about building a strong team, crucial for a successful operation.
- Discover the catering market opportunities, especially in the Philippine context.
- Learn directly from industry experts about starting a catering business, covering everything from capital needs to logistics.
- Understand the various roles you’ll play, from chef to business strategist.
- Get a detailed breakdown of initial capital requirements for budget planning.
- Learn how to assemble a strong team, including roles like event managers and chefs.
- Gain real-world insights from successful caterers on launching and growing your business in the Philippines.
- Balance your passion for food with the skills needed for running a successful business.
Week #2: Crafting a Unique Brand that Makes Sales and Marketing Simple
Week 2 focuses on branding, sales, and marketing in the catering industry. You’ll learn how to differentiate your business in a competitive market and make an impact.
- Understand the different catering types and their unique needs.
- Learn how to evaluate your competition and identify your unique selling points.
- Gain insights from real-life examples on effective brand positioning.
- Learn how to engage potential clients with compelling sales pitches.
- Create a targeted marketing plan and schedule.
- Learn the steps for testing your business concept before a full-scale launch.
- Understand the importance of maintaining good relationships in corporate catering.
Week #3: Create Irresistible Menus and Aesthetically-Pleasing Meals Like a Catering Pro
In Week 3, you’ll delve into menu planning and food presentation, learning how to create menus that are both delicious and practical for catering.
- Explore various menu styles and learn how to select the best for different events.
- Learn recipe selection that’s both tasty and catering-friendly.
- Understand the challenges of catering food, including logistics and quality maintenance.
- Acquire skills in food presentation to enhance event dining experiences.
- Learn essential food safety practices.
- Manage supplies effectively and build strong supplier relationships.
- Get advice on setting up an efficient off-site kitchen.
Week #4: Costing and Pricing Best Practices to Maximize Profits
This week is all about the financial side of catering, focusing on recipe costing, pricing strategies, and understanding overhead costs.
- Learn to cost recipes accurately and understand their financial impact.
- Develop effective pricing strategies that reflect your service’s value.
- Understand the overhead costs involved in catering.
- Design profitable and appealing menus.
- Develop financial management skills for long-term success.
- Balance cost-effectiveness with high-quality offerings.
- Adapt pricing strategies to market dynamics and customer expectations.
Week #5: Master the Essentials of Booking, Service, and Crisis Management
The fifth week covers the practical aspects of managing catering events, from booking to service standards and crisis management.
- Learn the comprehensive process of booking events.
- Master creating a BEO for outlining event details.
- Develop a culture of excellent service in your team.
- Handle crises and difficult clients professionally.
- Follow up with clients post-event for feedback and repeat business.
- Use successful events as marketing tools while respecting client privacy.
Week #6: The Essentials of Table Styling for Every Occasion
In the final week, you’ll learn the art of table styling, ensuring your setups are as memorable as your food.
- Learn to set up buffet and dining tables for various events.
- Choose the right serving and dinnerware to enhance the dining experience.
- Discover flower arrangement tips for stunning table displays.
- Customize table setups for different themes.
- Receive step-by-step instructions for flawless table presentations.
By the end of these six weeks, you’ll have a comprehensive understanding of starting and running a successful catering business, equipped with practical skills and insider knowledge!
How To Enroll In Catering 101
It’s easy! All you have to do is sign up at The Bailiwick Academy then go over to the Catering 101 Page. Enroll, and then make sure to block off January 28, 2024, as that’s the first day of class!
Final Thoughts About How To Succeed in Catering in 2024
Looking ahead to 2024, it’s clear that there’s a big chance for success in the catering business. With more companies holding events, lots of weddings, and Filipinos loving big celebrations, there’s plenty of work for caterers.
To really do well in catering, you need to mix your love for cooking with smart business skills. That’s where our Catering 101 course at The Bailiwick Academy comes in. It teaches you everything from understanding what customers want to making your catering stand out, to handling money matters.
You’ll learn from experts like Chef Him Uy De Baron, who know all about making great food and running a successful business. They’ll share their secrets on how to make your catering unforgettable and how to handle any tough situations that come up.
Don’t miss this opportunity to turn your passion into a profitable venture! Become one of the Bailiwickers trained by successful food business owners on how to launch a catering business in 2024.
Join Catering 101 today. See you inside!
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