All caterers, regardless of their company size or specialties must work within the Food Standards Agencies guidelines. The Food Standard Agency have set up a ‘Safe Food, Better Business’ scheme. Event catering companies are advised to consult the scheme before making their services available.The scheme gives caterers the understanding they need to operate to the correct standards. Catering companies are also required to register with their local authority health service before they start trading. The nature of a catering business means it is also a requirement that they carry out regular fire risk assessments. The use of appliances in the kitchen would increase the chances of fire occurring.
Catering companies are required to have the correct insurance before they start trading. The two areas they absolutely must be covered in are public liability insurance and employer’s liability insurance. For a catering business (and other businesses) there are other options available in terms of insurance, these include and cover employee theft, loss of stock, premises insurance, equipment insurance and loss of income.
One of the reasons a client will enlist the help of a catering company is because they want all the hassle of food and decorating a venue taken away. They want their guests to eat and enjoy the food available to them and for it to have been memorable. With this in mind, it is the aim of the catering company to achieve 100% customer satisfaction. Catering companies that are not very big will probably have their own niche. This is best for them as they should concentrate all their efforts and resources into one area to gain a good reputation. Without having to think in lots of different areas a caterer can make sure they develop a fantastic reputation in one and then perhaps think of moving into another.