Event dessert tables and catering
Supply desserts and sweet tables for weddings, parties and corporate events from a rented commercial kitchen.
- $3k-15k
- Part-time
- Out and about
- Licence or permit needed
Estimates for a small start in the US, not guarantees.
What it is
A dessert business focused on events: sweet tables, mini desserts, cupcakes, cakes and pudding cups, made in a licensed kitchen and delivered or set up at the venue.
Your first three steps
- Find a licensed shared or commissary kitchen near you and ask about hourly rates and what permits they require
- Create three simple package options with prices per guest and photograph sample dessert tables
- Introduce yourself to local wedding planners, venues and caterers and offer a tasting
Who pays
Couples planning weddings, parents booking party desserts, event planners and companies hosting events.
How it makes money
Per-event packages or price per guest, usually with a deposit to secure the date, plus delivery and setup fees.
Skills that help
- Baking at volume
- Presentation and styling
- Planning and scheduling
- Client communication
Watch out for
- Food permits for catering and transporting food, check with your county health department
- Business license and sales tax registration, check your state and city
- General liability insurance, which venues often ask to see
- Keeping desserts safe and cold during transport and setup
- Busy seasons can be very tight, so plan capacity before accepting bookings
Deep research report · US
Everything you need to start: event dessert tables and catering
Researched with live web search for United States: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start a dessert catering business?
Startup costs are typically around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on your kitchen arrangement, equipment and display items. These are estimates. General liability insurance is also worth planning for, since venues often ask to see it.
What permits might I need for event dessert catering?
Check with your county health department about food permits for catering and transporting food. Also check business license and sales tax registration with your state and city, and plan how to keep desserts safe and cold during transport.
How much can event dessert catering earn?
Monthly revenue is typically around $1,500 to $7,500, depending on how many events you book. These are estimates, and busy seasons can be tight, so plan your capacity before accepting bookings.
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