Children's party buffets from home

Parents hosting birthday parties at home, village halls, soft play centres and community venues.

Fixed price per child or per buffet package, plus extras such as party bags, themed cakes and delivery.

• Confident home cooking in volume
• Food hygiene and allergen awareness
• Planning and time management
• Friendly customer communication

• Register as a food business with your local council, ideally at least 28 days before you start trading
• Allergen rules: you must know and be able to tell customers about the 14 major allergens in every item
• Check your landlord's or mortgage lender's permission for running a food business at home
• Public liability insurance, and check whether your home insurance covers business use
• Food safety risks when transporting and holding food, so plan cool storage

Startup costs are typically around £300 to £1,500, depending on equipment, packaging and insurance. These are estimates, so price your own menu and kit before you commit.

Monthly revenue is typically around £300 to £1,800, depending on how many parties you cater for and your menu prices. Treat it as an estimate, especially while you build up bookings.

Check whether you need to register as a food business with your local council, ideally at least 28 days before trading. Also check the allergen rules for the 14 major allergens, landlord or lender permission, and your insurance cover.