Start a pop-up tapas stall

Market and festival visitors, local event organisers, and venues or breweries that want food for their customers.

Customers pay per plate or per set box of tapas. You can also earn a fee or revenue share from venues that host you, and charge for catering small private events.

• Cooking in small batches
• Costing and pricing a menu
• Customer service
• Organising prep and stock

• Food business registration, and often a food safety supervisor, with your local council, and rules differ for temporary and mobile setups, so check before trading
• Selling alcohol needs a liquor licence, so check whether to partner with a licensed venue instead
• Public liability and product liability insurance, which markets and venues often ask to see
• Commercial kitchen access for prep, since home kitchens may not be approved, so check with your council
• Weather, market fees and uneven takings can make income unpredictable

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $3,000 to $20,000, depending on your stall or food truck-style setup, cooking equipment and menu. Costs may differ if you use a partner venue.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $1,500 to $8,000, depending on the events you trade at, market fees and weather. It can start from around 12 hours a week, and takings can be uneven.

Check food business registration with your local council, plus a food safety supervisor, as rules differ for temporary and mobile setups. Selling alcohol needs a liquor licence, so check partnering with a licensed venue. Check commercial kitchen access too.