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Greetings Pros and Wannabees

FM Former Member
If you are a professional in the foodservice business, such as a Professional Caterer or Restaurateur, then this is the place for you!

If you have dreams of opening your own restaurant or catering company, this is the place to talk to other professionals.

My background:

I have been in the foodservice business as an owner/manager for 21 years. I started with two restaurants (family steak). I built, operated, developed and sold a Perkins Family Restaurant 12 years ago. I have been Executive Vice President of a major franchise Steak chain, but left the short stint in the corporate world to continue to operate my own businesses.

I started catering 12 years ago. I now have a professional catering company and also have an event facility which holds 450 people for private receptions, banquets and parties. I have a passion for BBQ!! I started a new catering division called eXtreme BBQ!

We serve the best of BBQ from all over America. I have named my brisket, "Ponca City Oklahoma Beef Brisket" I also am serving Memphis in May Ribs, Georgia Brunswick Stew, Napa Valley CA extreme vegetables, Santa Monica, CA Grilled Tri Tips, Alaskan Smoked Salmon, West TN Chicken Shack Chicken, Hawaiian Luau Pork and Skewered Chicken with Satay Sauce. and much more.... I welcome your BBQ ideas!

I have a strong distaste for ILLEGAL caterers, those who cater to the public without a foodservice permit or liability insurance. It is more irresponsible than driving a car without a license, tag, registration or insurance.

I will not teach anyone how to cater illegally, nor can I condone it. However, I will advise those who wish to do it right!

Feel free to jump in with me and Topchef.

CaterGreat


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"Where there is Smoke, there is Flavor!"
Original Post

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FM Former Member
Catergreat-
Here's my plan if you will help me do it right. I have been as you would say doing small jobs for the school I work at "illegal) and want to in a BIG way cater for a HUGE soccer field. I do want to do it right. Wife says no licence no serve. Was told I could do it from my house but would have to have a 3 bay sink. Don't really see a problem in doing that as long as I can put it in my basement.Now for your help if you will help me......HELP ME! please?!?
Now have a model 55 smoker plus having two smokers being built on trailers.
Thanks in advance. Here is my e-mail if you prefer to do this off the forum...
twhs615@yahoo.com
FM Former Member
quote:
Originally posted by smoke shack:
Catergreat draw the line for me where do i become a illegal caterer? What I mean is that I cook very often for large crowds friends,work and church events am I in the wrong for feeding friends?



Feeding people at your home for a cookout does not make you a caterer, it makes u a good friend... so I want to be your friend...
Cooking for church events AT the church which either has a permitted kitchen or is exempt is also ok...

Where the health dept and more importantly the sales tax people and IRS would come in is when you do it for personal profit... and not for a church event or funraiser...

No matter what you call it, you cannot prepare food at home for the public without a food service permit...

You are borderline "unethical" if you do it without proper insurance. You have a moral and ethical obligation to protect your clients, their guests and more importantly, your ASSets... if you know what I mean.

Good question!!!

CaterGreat



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"Where there is Smoke, there is Flavor!"
FM Former Member
quote:
Originally posted by barbqr:
Catergreat-
Here's my plan if you will help me do it right. I have been as you would say doing small jobs for the school I work at "illegal) and want to in a BIG way cater for a HUGE soccer field. I do want to do it right. Wife says no licence no serve. Was told I could do it from my house but would have to have a 3 bay sink. Don't really see a problem in doing that as long as I can put it in my basement.Now for your help if you will help me......HELP ME! please?!?
Now have a model 55 smoker plus having two smokers being built on trailers.
Thanks in advance. Here is my e-mail if you prefer to do this off the forum...
twhs615@yahoo.com


You need more than a triple sink to be legal... I am not sure of your states laws, but most states dont allow any type of home catering. However in my state of TN, home based catering can be legal.. here is what is required... Triple sink, commercial appliances and exhaust systems. Direct access from the outside, completely separate family kitchen... absolutely no pets ANYWHERE on the property... Usually would cost a minimum of 25K to do it legally... 50k to do it right...
and most importantly, you need a foodservice permit.... AND insurance....

So, u really need to figure out if it would be worth the investment... That is a huge investment for once per week...figure an overhead of about $300 to $500 per week... (mine is $1500.00 per week)

Is anyone else doing concessions there at the soccer field?

CaterGreat


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"Where there is Smoke, there is Flavor!"
FM Former Member
The only other thing being sold is drinks at the soccer games. Was told by a friend it's a goldmine. Don't want to make a furtune, just a good profit. Yes in Kansas you can work from home. I asked for the "rules" in writing. They said it's NOT in writing, just need a 3 bay sink, cover the grill or smoker so birdies don't add anything as they fry over and by no means can I use my kitchen. As far is insurance, yeah my wife said, " no paperwork, no sales!!!" $300.00 for lic.. Don't know about insur.Will give it more thought. THANKS BIG TIME!!!
FM Former Member
Where you can make big money is in selling BBQ, drinks, chips and candy....

A lot of us would make much more profit if we didn't have to follow any rules. It isn't like taking candy from a baby. If you get legal, it will cost you..

You will need a kitchen if you cook anything else, such as preparing slaw, beans etc... The health code IS in writing... It usually doesnt cover home based catering specifically, but the rules listed are the same... Typical government document... doesn't make a lot of sense...

If they will give you a permit, then you are free to fly!

CaterGreat

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"Where there is Smoke, there is Flavor!"

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