Idea for Those Wanting to Do Catering

[chinesebob]

Brethren (and Sisters),

As we're getting our catering business off the ground I recently took the opportunity to hand out samples and flyers at a small town event we have every month.

Going into it I was a little nervous and didn't know what to expect but as the evening went on I handed out almost 100 flyers, 2 trays of meat and over a hundred business cards.

The best part? Got 2 gigs lined up for graduation parties, and our local fireman's union has asked if I would cook for their monthly union meeting during the summer.

Now I can hardly wait for next month when we get to do this again.

Of course my boss called and heard my new voicemail on my cell about the catering name so that was a little awkward....

 

[big brother smoke]

Congrats! Life is good when you get a return on your investment like this.

BTW:Tell the boss, if he paid you more he would not have heard your bbq message!

 

[biffleg]

Brethren (and Sisters),

Of course my boss called and heard my new voicemail on my cell about the catering name so that was a little awkward....

Only if it is a company issued cell phone :biggrin:

 

[beam boys bbq]

i am with you brother i am walking the same walk
i get the gitters to

york

 

[tumpedover]

Brethren (and Sisters),

As we're getting our catering business off the ground I recently took the opportunity to hand out samples and flyers at a small town event we have every month.

Going into it I was a little nervous and didn't know what to expect but as the evening went on I handed out almost 100 flyers, 2 trays of meat and over a hundred business cards.

The best part? Got 2 gigs lined up for graduation parties, and our local fireman's union has asked if I would cook for their monthly union meeting during the summer.

Now I can hardly wait for next month when we get to do this again.

Of course my boss called and heard my new voicemail on my cell about the catering name so that was a little awkward....

No Doubt about it bro, the more cards flyers and MEAT you can get in front of people the more business you'll pick up. I was in the business end of 'Q for a while and I promise you after spending lots of $$ on said cards etc...it pays off. Also in my case it paid of to post those flyers and cards in coffee shops,bars, bike shops, and anywhere else you frequent....Geez, looks like my list kinda gives away my habits huh?:wink:
Good luck !

 

[chinesebob]

No Doubt about it bro, the more cards flyers and MEAT you can get in front of people the more business you'll pick up. I was in the business end of 'Q for a while and I promise you after spending lots of $$ on said cards etc...it pays off. Also in my case it paid of to post those flyers and cards in coffee shops,bars, bike shops, and anywhere else you frequent....Geez, looks like my list kinda gives away my habits huh?:wink:
Good luck !

thanks - I'm trying to do that. As part of my plan I'm also visiting one restaurant/bar/golf course every day and handing out the flyers. I'm also offering a small commission to my friends who bring me business.:razz:

 

[keale]

Thanks for the info, This idea keeps ringing in my head, my dream has always to open a small "homestyle" take out place, but since I got into queing, man...this style of food here is so foreign here, I gotta explain, why the meat is pink...etc... Alas, it will be awhile before I give up the 40 hour week...
Good Luck!
P.S

Was it a pain, to get your food permits, certified kitchen etc..?

 

[chinesebob]

Thanks for the info, This idea keeps ringing in my head, my dream has always to open a small "homestyle" take out place, but since I got into queing, man...this style of food here is so foreign here, I gotta explain, why the meat is pink...etc... Alas, it will be awhile before I give up the 40 hour week...
Good Luck!
P.S

Was it a pain, to get your food permits, certified kitchen etc..?

Not at all. It just helps me cements the commitment. I would also say that you have a lot of competition with the polynesians that just go dig a whole and roast a pig.:shock:

I think that would be a challenge but asians and polynesians love good bbq once they understand what it's about. At least they did when I lived in California. Just don't do an all you can eat Buffet or the Polynesian's will eat you out of house and home. That is in my experience anyways. I had several Samoan and Tongan friends and every event was a feast. Our food was brought to us the events on soda case half boxes and usually had 2 meats, fish and taro. Then the desert was brought in the same box half. It was awesome and I never failed to eat everything but wow could my Polynesian friends eat. They loved me because no matter how strange the food I could eat helping for helping with them and still maintain my girlish figure.

 

[jbrink01]

We give away lots of samples

and it pays off. We are now busier catering than we need to be, and I'm grateful. I would say the single best thing we did was vend at a downtown "after-parade party" that had a band and beerwagon. The first year we did it, we were the ONLY vendor and 2500 people showed up to drink beer. We sold out in 3 hours and picked up tons of work.

Now, we pick up a new client nearly every time we go out.