Starting a Catering Business: 9 Steps Before the First Job

What do you need to start a catering business in the UK?

Nine things, roughly in this order: decide what kind of catering and where you will cook, register with your council at least 28 days before trading, get trained (Level 2 food hygiene is the norm), write a food safety management system, prepare allergen information, arrange insurance, register with HMRC, check licences for alcohol or street trading, and set your prices and terms. None is complicated on its own, and registration with the council is free.

1. Decide what you are and where you cook

A home-kitchen buffet caterer, a van or trailer trader, a hog roast business, a private chef and a wedding caterer with a hired unit are different businesses with different costs. Decide where food will be prepared: a home kitchen, a rented commercial kitchen, a mobile unit, or on site at venues. That decides who you register with and what equipment you need.

2. and 3. Register and train

Register as a food business with your council at least 28 days before you start. It is free and cannot be refused. Get trained: there is no legal requirement for a named certificate, but food handlers must be trained appropriately, and Level 2 food hygiene is what inspectors and venues expect. Our guides on registration and on the Level 2 question cover both in detail.

4. and 5. Food safety plan and allergens

Every food business needs a documented food safety management system based on HACCP principles. The Food Standards Agency's free Safer Food, Better Business pack is written for small caterers in England and Wales; Scotland has its own equivalent. Keep temperature and hygiene records from day one, because the inspector will ask. Prepare a written allergen matrix for each menu covering the 14 allergens, and check whether any of your food is prepacked for direct sale.

6. Insurance

Employers' liability insurance is a legal requirement once you take on staff. Public and product liability is not law but is expected by nearly every venue, commonly at £5 million. Add vehicle, equipment and stock cover as your business needs it.

7. and 8. Tax and licences

Register with HMRC: as self-employed (by 5 October after the end of the tax year in which you started) or by setting up a limited company. You must register for VAT if your taxable turnover goes over the threshold, which is £90,000 in a rolling 12 months at the time of writing. If you will sell alcohol, look at personal licences and temporary event notices. If you will trade in public places, check the council's street trading rules.

9. Prices, terms and paperwork for venues

Work out a price per head that covers food, labour, travel, equipment and your own time, and set a minimum charge. Write simple terms covering deposits, final numbers and cancellation. Assemble the documents venues ask for: insurance certificate, hygiene rating, risk assessment, allergen procedure and, if you use LPG, a gas safety certificate. Once your business is registered and rated 3 or above, you can be listed on caterers.trade for free.