Mobile event caterer

Couples planning weddings, businesses holding functions and private hosts of larger parties.

Quoted price per head or per event, based on menu, guest numbers, staffing and travel, often with a deposit paid up front.

• Cooking for groups
• Event planning and logistics
• Managing casual staff
• Quoting and customer service

• Food business registration with your local council, and possibly extra rules for transporting food, so check your state requirements
• Food safety supervisor requirements, which vary by state
• Public liability insurance, and workers compensation once you hire staff
• Keeping food at safe temperatures during transport and service, which usually means insulated or refrigerated transport
• Venues may have their own rules, so confirm what is allowed before you quote
• Alcohol service usually needs a separate licence, so check your state's liquor authority
• Costs rise quickly if you buy a vehicle, so a used van or ute and hired equipment can keep the start-up budget down

Startup costs are estimated at typically around $15,000 to $70,000, depending largely on your vehicle and equipment. A used van or ute and hired equipment can keep the budget down. Treat this as an estimate and cost your own plan.

Monthly revenue is estimated at typically around $2,000 to $10,000, depending on how many events you cater and the size of each job. This is revenue before costs, and the estimate assumes at least about 15 hours of work a week.

Check food business registration with your local council, any extra rules for transporting food, and food safety supervisor requirements in your state. Also check insurance, safe food temperatures, venue rules and whether your state's liquor authority requires a separate licence for alcohol.