Dear trellis-ga
A good starting point is 'The Mobile and Outside Caterers
Association'.
http://www.moca.org.uk/
There are useful articles, information and many links. For instance an
article on getting started in mobile catering.
http://www.moca.org.uk/Mem_Articles.asp?param=show&id=17
Advice on insurance, show events and dates, and an industry guide
http://www.moca.org.uk/Mem_Articles.asp
There is also news, and for sale and wanted items.
http://www.villagefetes.co.uk/mobilecatering/index.htm
Has a wealth of information, advice and links to suppliers.
"When planning to start a mobile catering business the main points to
consider are: It is a good idea to invest in a good quality catering
trailer or stall. Plan where you are going to operate it to whether it
is going to be at events or a permanent site. Know where you are going
to purchase your stock and store it. Make yourself aware of hygiene
regulations and laws and finally, portray from day one the image of a
professionally run set-up."
"If you are new to mobile catering try to concentrate on local events
to gain experience and to build up a good name for yourself."
Source
http://www.villagefetes.co.uk/mobilecatering/index.htm
This is their general advice on Heath & Safety issues
"1.Register with your local environmental health department within
your local council.
2.Take the basic food handling training course and obtain the Basic
food hygiene certificate.
3."Risk assessment" take a good look at your mobile catering setup to
work out where food risks may accrue. Write a list of all food
handling or contact with food from delivery to finally handing over
the finished product to the customer. Look at correct safe food
storage provision and temperatures, staff training, food preparation
methods and equipment cleaning procedures."
Source
http://www.villagefetes.co.uk/mobilecatering/hygiene.htm
Reading Council have a useful guide on various issues.
http://www.reading.gov.uk/consumerservices/environmentalhealth/food/mobilefood/mobilefood1.htm
One UK local council observes
"Under current law there is no requirement for a mobile caterer to
display any contact details on their vehicles or stall, and so members
of the public may often be unsure whether the business has been
inspected."
http://www.castlepoint.gov.uk/yourcouncil.asp?cat=660
The below sites will assist you on additional health and safety
issues.
Health and Safety Executive – Leaflets on food and drink
http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/foodindx.htm
Environmental Health News
http://www.ehn-online.com/
Food Standards Agency
http://www.food.gov.uk/
Guide to the provisions of the 1990 Food Safety Act
http://www.food.gov.uk/multimedia/pdfs/foodlaw.pdf
As for events, many caterers appear to advertise on their own behalf
http://www.yor-caterer.co.uk/
or you can contact companies who specialise in event organising and
advertise with them.
One such event organiser is http://www.countyfetes.co.uk/ where you
can sign up with them to receive information on events.
Another is http://www.eventbiz.co.uk/index.asp
This directory has links to numerous event managers throughout the UK.
http://www.great-british-pages.co.uk/Business_and_Economy/Companies/Event_Management/more2.html
Unfortunately I could not find a flourishing message board for this
topic. Google Groups has one, but there are few postings on it.
http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&group=free.uk.trade.catering
I hope this answers your question. If it does not, or the answer is
unclear, then please ask for clarification of this research before
rating the answer. I shall respond to the clarification request as
soon as I receive it.
Good luck.
Thank you
answerfinder
Search strategy
These are samples of some of the searches I used.
business advice uk catering mobile
://www.google.com/search?q=business+advice+uk+catering+mobile&hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&start=0&sa=N
business advice uk "mobile catering"
://www.google.com/search?q=business+advice+uk+%22mobile+catering%22&hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8
uk "mobile catering" "starting up"
://www.google.com/search?q=+uk+%22mobile+catering%22+%22starting+up%22&hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8 |
Request for Answer Clarification by
trellis-ga
on
20 Sep 2003 10:07 PDT
Just had a quick look thru the links. To be able to do the outline
plan I think I need some links on the actual procedure, timescales and
costing models for a specimen event. E.g. from a direct experience of
someone. (That's what I hoped the message board might bring, but with
the one found that's unlikely.)
Can you find something along those lines. e.g. Midtown Flower Show,
Aug 25. Contact who and how long prior. Typical concession price
ranges (fixed or variable) paid when (in advance or on day).
Attendance. Ballpark of items sold (1 sale on average per 10, 100, or
1000 attendendees). I know that's very subjective but I'm working
completely in the dark so some handle on the numbers would be nice.
Maybe an old business plan online. Even if it's from USA, it will
still be useful for my rough and ready purposes. Hope you can oblige.
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