Catering is a great way to earn income, but it can also be an expensive undertaking. So if you’re working on a tight budget, it’s important that you find ways to keep the costs associated with catering down. Thankfully, there are lots of things that you can do that help you get what you need for catering without spending a fortune. So, to help with this, we’re going to go over some tips to help you order your catering supplies on a budget so that you don't overspend.
If you're going to start catering, you need to be prepared. You'll need supplies and equipment to create delicious dishes for parties large and small. You'll want to make sure that your kitchen is properly equipped, which may mean investing in new appliances, crockery or tableware. The below tips will help you keep to a budget when ordering catering & kitchen equipment.
You don't need to buy everything at once. You can start off with just a few basics and then add more as you expand.
Firstly, decide on your menu to find out what you’ll be making and determine exactly what equipment you might need. While it may be tempting to buy all of the latest tools, starting off with the basics and building your collection over time will be much more cost-effective. You may want a garlic press, chip cutter and a vegetable chopper but using a chef’s knife may suffice for now.
There are some instances where buying in bulk will present a saving. This really comes into play with things like disposables. If you are going to be using take out boxes, or carrier bags look out for deals when bulk buying. Think carefully, do you need lots of different sized boxes, or can you bulk buy one size at a cheaper price?
You might think that buying used kitchen equipment could save you some cash, but it’s a bit of a fool’s economy. Buying second-hand means that the equipment you use will have been put through some usage, which increases the chance of failures and breakages. Your best bet is to buy quality products new so that you only have to buy them once. Buying used means you won’t get full use out of the equipment, and in many cases, it results in inferior results. This is particularly important when it comes to electronic or gas items such as fridges, mixers, and ovens.
If you're in a rural area, the chances are good that there are local farmers and suppliers who can provide food for your business at wholesale prices or even cheaper. If you’re not rural, then you can still reach out to farmers to see what they have available. For example, if you know of a nearby farm with chickens on it, they may be willing to sell their eggs directly to customers at cost price and deliver them every week or two weeks as needed, saving you time and money over ordering through an online distributor.
When it comes to sourcing catering equipment, it always pays off to stick with trusted sources and suppliers. Opting for less reputable businesses puts you at risk of scams and inferior products, which could end up costing you a lot of money in the long run. Instead, stick with the businesses with a good reputation and experience in the industry.
What’s more, choosing a more reputable company to work with provides you with a lot of reassurance. For one, they’ll most likely have a warranty service that they’ll honour if something happens to your equipment after purchase, such as a product defect.
Cooksmill is proud to have been awarded the Feefo Platinum Trusted Service Award. These awards have been presented to businesses that have achieved Feefo’s Gold standard for three consecutive years. We always strive to offer the best service we can.
You don't have to overspend on catering equipment! Focus on what you really need to keep your budget in line, rather than investing in better equipment for the future. And remember that you shouldn’t be afraid to start building relationships with reputable suppliers. They’ll be able to offer you the best in terms of quality so that you won’t have to purchase the same equipment again down the road. Don’t be afraid to pick up the phone and talk through your requirements.
So, what's the takeaway? If you're looking to get into the catering business and don't have a lot of money, there are plenty of ways to save. From buying high-quality equipment that won’t let you down to ensuring that you deal with reputable suppliers like us at Cooksmill, you can find lots of ways to stick to your budget while also getting the tools you need for catering.
