I'm starting a catering business in S. Florida and the administration part of the business is done from home but I rent a kitchen or use the banquet hall facilities for the events.

I have registered the business, gotten the necessary IDs, applied for the occupational license, applied for the food manager's/handler's permit and now looking for liability insurance.

My questions are these:
1) How much liability insurance is recommended?
2) Any suggestions for insurance companies in S. Florida?
3) Do I need to charge sales tax on anything?
4) Are there any other licenses or permits that I
have overlooked?

By Chefmanny (Chefmanny) on Friday, September 24, 2004 - 01:37 pm: Edit

Where in S. FL.????
At least 2 mill. on insurance
Yes, you have to charge tax on everything.
Liquor, if you will sell it, and more insurance also if you do!

By Jonesg (Jonesg) on Saturday, September 25, 2004 - 06:47 am: Edit

I would talk to an ins agent specializing in caterers, an accountant who handles food business, ours has a few caterers among his accounts, so we were well advised.
Its may be different in some states as far as sales tax.
Important are the state and fed ID#, food vendor and offsite permit from the health dept. Licensed kitchen etc.

They may or may not want to inspect your vehicle and the food containers, you can just rent a van.
Ice packs in coolers are acceptable as are cambro's for hots. Look at what other caterers are doing.

We emphasized drop and go to eliminate workmans compensation Ins until we get so busy we need it, in the meantime we use rental waitstaff if needed.

By Leadingcaterers (Leadingcaterers) on Monday, August 15, 2005 - 09:04 am: Edit

Annmarie, our company Leading Caterers of America is based in South Florida. You can join the online Bill Hansen Catering Boot Camp and you will learn all of these and you will also get the personal support of Bill. You can ask him these questions personally.

By Chefmanny (Chefmanny) on Tuesday, August 16, 2005 - 06:46 pm: Edit

Bill knows his stuff, I'm a grad from FIU where he teaches!!!!