Advice Needed!!

[dodge08]

Hey guys, kinda new to this so don't be too hard on me...

Basically im currently self employed and wanting to set up a 'Pick n Mix' Hire service for weddings and that kind of event.

A few questions I am unsure of, firstly being - Am I required in this industry to immediately register as a company?

If so would I require by law a Food Hygiene certificate or Public Liability Insurance to trade?

Thank you! Any advice is really appreciated!

 

[jules12345]

Hey guys, kinda new to this so don't be too hard on me...

Basically im currently self employed and wanting to set up a 'Pick n Mix' Hire service for weddings and that kind of event.

A few questions I am unsure of, firstly being - Am I required in this industry to immediately register as a company?

If so would I require by law a Food Hygiene certificate or Public Liability Insurance to trade?

Thank you! Any advice is really appreciated!

You would most certainly need the hygiene cert if dealing with food. You would also probably need council licensing or approval of your premises.

It would be madness not to have liability insurance.

If you dont register as a ltd company if you become liable you may have to sell your house etc etc to compensate and if you breach your insurance policy.

In just asking these questions I wouldn't go near your wedding services as it is clear that you have no idea about food service and or catering business anyway.

My advice to you would be to go to college and get a catering qualification OND - HND or BA, you would learn all this there.

Regards
Jules

 

[Montaigne]

In just asking these questions I wouldn't go near your wedding services as it is clear that you have no idea about food service and or catering business anyway.

I don't think these questions will actually be in his advertising literature!

 

[dodge08]

In just asking these questions I wouldn't go near your wedding services as it is clear that you have no idea about food service and or catering business anyway.

I appreciate your views, slightly harsh as they are, everyone has to start somewhere... I wasn't born with the knowledge, in addition it's pic 'n mix I'm not convinced I'd require an actual catering production qualification to understand Pic 'N Mix?

I don't think these questions will actually be in his advertising literature!

Agreed, I'm brand new to the industry, I only wanted advice :\ lol

 

[jules12345]

I appreciate your views, slightly harsh as they are, everyone has to start somewhere... I wasn't born with the knowledge, in addition it's pic 'n mix I'm not convinced I'd require an actual catering production qualification to understand Pic 'N Mix?



Agreed, I'm brand new to the industry, I only wanted advice :\ lol

It wont do you any harm - will certainly help you get indemnity .... I see a time soon very soon where if you dont have an OND minimum in Hotel and Catering you wont be able to get many things (licenses, indemnity etc etc) you can get today - about time too I say.

Just to think here I am at 42 couple of degrees etc and with only one year of an OND in hotel and catering (dropped out after first year of two when I was 18) im more qualified than 60% of all caterers in London. Pathetic really isnt it ?

Regards
Jules

 

[Montaigne]

Just to think here I am at 42 couple of degrees etc and with only one year of an OND in hotel and catering (dropped out after first year of two when I was 18) im more qualified than 60% of all caterers in London. Pathetic really isnt it ?

How do you work that out?

 

[TheGuru2010]

I can only advise on the Liability side of things & I would advise that you seek insurance for this business. You could go years without needing the policy but trust me it can get messy when you do need one & have not got it

 

[S-Marketing]

You would most certainly need the hygiene cert if dealing with food. You would also probably need council licensing or approval of your premises.

It would be madness not to have liability insurance.

If you dont register as a ltd company if you become liable you may have to sell your house etc etc to compensate and if you breach your insurance policy.

In just asking these questions I wouldn't go near your wedding services as it is clear that you have no idea about food service and or catering business anyway.

My advice to you would be to go to college and get a catering qualification OND - HND or BA, you would learn all this there.

Regards
Jules

Ive heard it all now. A suggestion to get a Diploma or Bachelor's Degree in order to sell pick and mix.

 

[MikeJ]

Maybe that's where Woolies went wrong.

 

[dodge08]

Ive heard it all now. A suggestion to get a Diploma or Bachelor's Degree in order to sell pick and mix.

Thanks Good to know someone isn't just trying to scare me off the idea!

 

[S-Marketing]

Thanks Good to know someone isn't just trying to scare me off the idea!

It's a pretty good idea actually, and you certainly don't need a bunch of qualifications to do it.

Have you done any research to see if the idea has a market?

 

[dodge08]

Thanks!! Really appreciate that, I've looked into the market locally, I've booked a few trade shows which have told me I'm the only person doing what I'm doing at the moment which is positive!

 

[S-Marketing]

Thanks!! Really appreciate that, I've looked into the market locally, I've booked a few trade shows which have told me I'm the only person doing what I'm doing at the moment which is positive!

It's not always a good thing that noone else is doing it. But it seems to me as though its an idea that could be quite successful. Be careful how many trade shows you book unless they are free or very cheap. Paying to advertise isn't the best way to market a business like yours.

Did you actually find out what food hygeine and insurance implications are associated with the business?

 

[dodge08]

Did you actually find out what food hygeine and insurance implications are associated with the business?

Yeahhh it seems like I require the food and hygiene certificate which is no problem at all, and public liability insurance which I can get too So no worries overall!