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!

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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.

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!

The post Food Business In The Philippines: 5 Reasons To Start One In 2023 appeared first on Online Baking and Cooking Classes - The Bailiwick Academy.