Hello-
I just strted up my own personal chef company out of my home after being in the field for 3 years. I was wondering if anybody who has this strtup could give me some pointers. I need to attract more customers. I cook out of my home to families that want a special meal all cooked for them or for small parties. Could somebody give me ideas that would attract a target market??? I also have another concern how about menu pricing??? This is much different then a real restaurant. Anybody have any ideas on how to price right??? THANKS Please email me at:goldfly75@excite.com

ADAM

By Gord (Gord) on Wednesday, November 15, 2000 - 06:32 pm: Edit

Hi Adam,

Before your other questions, I would like to make three recommendations:

1. Stop cooking out of your house unless you're in one of those rare states where it's not illegal. Legal PCs cook at their clients' homes or from commercial kitchens.

2. Get liability insurance. A $2 million policy through the APCA's carrier will cost you about $500.00/annum

3. You may want to reconsider using the term "turdsteak" as an online name. Using body functions (or in this case the results thereof)as an alias doesn't present a high degree of professionalism (especially if your clients happen to see it).

Before you can attract a target market, develop a menu that will suit them, and price that menu adequately, you need to define who that market is based on demographics and your culinary abilities. I would recommend going somewhere like improvemybusiness.com or other online business resources and get a business plan put together before continuing. It will give you real focus and will help you answer a lot of your own questions.

Just my thoughts.

Gord