Learning how to start a small home catering business is fairly easy if you approach it in the right way. The formula for success is: Planning + Passion + Discipline + Food = Success.

Planning

Planning is paramount when it comes to starting a home catering business. One reason is that each local health department has specific rules when it comes to food service. Home catering is not allowed for those kitchen's that don't meet commercial standards.

Don't let this be a deterrent, you can still have a home catering business out of your home, just have the food prep, and cooking in a health department sanctioned kitchen. It could be a school, a church, or even a community center kitchen. Most public facilities are health department approved.

Your home catering business can specialize in entertainment cooking. You cook and serve at the clients home thus bypassing the requirement to have a commercial kitchen because you are preparing and serving the food at the same site

Planning is your foundation, determine everything you would need in your catering business, your start-up costs, licenses, business permits, equipment, etc., and put it in your business plan. Follow it like a blueprint.

Passion

Passion is an element that is crucial to the success of your home catering business, this is what drives you. If you are passionate about your work...then your work is your passion and this business if for you!

Discipline

This element in our formula is our focus. Having a plan in place and working that plan takes discipline.

Sometimes, you find yourself as the chief cook and bottle washer to get things done to drive the business, but as you grow, you will find certain tasks will become easier

Food

You don't have to be culinary trained to become a caterer.

It does help somewhat when it comes to food safety and the administrative part of the food business.

Hospitality and food safety information is abundant, and some adult learning centers offer similar courses for a small fee.

Apart from your service, food is your product. Your service brings your customers in, but your food brings your customers back.

Special family recipes are the best to showcase, because those special dishes are known to a select few and are very popular indeed. Some family recipes become signature dishes.

Once your formula is complete. Spread the word.

This is the fun part. You will need to acquire clients.

If you have decided in your plan traditional forms of advertising then use your dollar wisely. Radio, print, cable television advertising can be expensive.

Sometimes opting for low-cost or free advertising is just as effective.

Friends and family members are always a good resource to help get your name and service recognition out there.

Low cost advertising such as internet marketing or your own website, may your most effective paid type of client magnet advertising tool you have available with very little effort.

In addition, free samples along with your business information is an effective, non-traditional, and economical way to promote and advertise your new business.

Putting these elements in motion will certainly cause your business to expand.

David is a Personal Chef and has expertise in home catering. For more great tips on starting a catering business, visit www.aroundyourtable.com