Posted by Carl on December 10, 19100 at 00:02:01 :
In Reply to: Re: New business posted by colleen craig on December 09, 19100 at 08:23:14 :
Is it not even safe to "cater" to home parties to kinda get my feet wet? Perhaps this is just too big a step without inspection and licensure. If you have a spare minute, give me your thoughts on keeping it very small at first or whether either way I go I must be inspected and licensed (and insured).
It is not a matter of whether it is "safe" to cater, it is a matter of what is legal and illegal. You are placing a great risk on your family and your assets..... If you love the business, but dont have the resources to do it legally, then go to work for a great caterer until you do have the knowledge, funds to make it legal.
Now, can you do it illegally for a couple years?? Sure... Most legal caterers will report you FAST to the health department when they find you bidding against them.... You get the bid for two reasons, you have no overhead and you dont know how to correctly price ( so you lose money ). The client will sue your pants off when they find you put them at risk and liability for representing yourself as a professional caterer. Therefore, you should have your "clients" sign a waiver and indemity agreement holding you harmless and that they are aware that you are operating without insurance or a permit. If they still hire you (which I would doubt) you are liable to the guests who may become ill (justifiably or not) See that is the beauty of insurance, it protects you when you do screw up, but more importantly they defend you when you didnt really make anyone sick... either way it would have cost you thousands to defend....
I appreciate your taking the time and interest in asking how to do it correctly.. Sam is correct and so am I... We know of what we speak.... We would be honored and happy to help you in any way....
Carl