Catering: A Guide to Managing a Successful Business Operation [Hardcover]

Bruce Mattel (Author), The Culinary Institute of America (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 26, 2008 | ISBN-10: 076455798X | ISBN-13: 978-0764557989 | Edition: 1

In this invaluable reference, The Culinary Institute of America provides all the information that caterers and would-be caterers need to set up and run a successful catering business of any kind. From launching the business, establishing pricing, setting up a kitchen, staffing, and marketing to planning events, organizing service, preparing food, managing the dining room and beverages, and developing menus, it provides detailed guidance on every aspect of the catering business, showing operators how to troubleshoot and creatively solve problems. Illustrated throughout with 50 photographs and 30 black-and-white illustrations, Catering is an indispensable guide for anyone who wants to succeed in this highly competitive field.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

Catering is one of the fastest-growing segments of the food service industry. To succeed in this highly competitive arena, you need not only culinary expertise, but also a wide range of business skills. That's why Bruce Mattel, a successful caterer with more than 20 years of food service experience, teamed up with The Culinary Institute of America to create this indispensable guide. It's brimming with practical information and real-world know-how—everything you need to set up and run a profitable catering business.

Beginning with an overview of the catering profession, the book explains the various kinds of career opportunities available as well as the skills you need to succeed. It walks you through every aspect of operating a catering business, including:

• Launching a catering enterprise

• Pricing for profit

• Setting up a catering kitchen

• Hiring and managing staff

• Marketing the business

• Planning successful events

• Establishing impressive service

• Preparing distinctive food

• Managing the dining room

For each topic covered, Catering provides detailed information and guidance on best practices, complete with the hands-on examples and insider tips you need to troubleshoot difficulties and creatively meet challenges in your own catering business.

This invaluable reference is full of tools and resources to help your operation succeed. To assist you with the practical aspects of your operation, you'll find a detailed sample business plan, helpful recommendations on staffing and equipment, complete examples of how to price events, and much more. And to make sure your service and food receive accolades, you'll find in-depth advice on service styles, tips on active buffet stations, and sample menus for a wide range of events. Featuring more than 70 instructive photographs and illustrations throughout, Catering is your road map to a thriving catering business, whether you're new to the field or a veteran caterer who wants to improve performance.

From the Back Cover

Praise for Catering

"Every restaurateur also wants to be in catering but doesn't always know how to take that step. Catering shows us how to take that step with ease and grace."
—Nick Livanos Co-owner of The Livanos Restaurant Group

"This book is the most comprehensive, all-in-one resource I have seen. It is filled from cover-to-cover with accurate, updated, and detailed information on all aspects of the catering industry. It is a must read for both novices and experienced caterers."
—Alison Awerbuch Executive Vice President and Partner of Abigail Kirsch Catering Relationships

"If this book had been around when I started my company, it would have shaved ten years of frustration and foolish decisions off my career and added ten years to my life. The devil (or the profit) is in the details and Catering covers the details, chapter by chapter, with entertaining examples and insightful photographs."
—Lori Daniel Chief Inspiration Officer/Founding Chef and Co-Chair of Two Chefs on a Roll

"After twenty-six years of building my business on intuition and creativity, I wish I would have had this book when I first started. If you are starting a catering company, buy this book! It sets the standard for today's competitive market with emphasis on profitability."
—Elaine Bell Owner of Elaine Bell Catering

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 368 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 1 edition (February 26, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 076455798X
• ISBN-13: 978-0764557989
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 7.6 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #116,928 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #30 in Books > Business & Investing > Small Business & Entrepreneurship > Hospitality Businesses

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Catering: A guide to Managing a Successful Business Operation, May 31, 2008

By 

Elizabeth W. Johnson "cookbook junkie" (Northern California) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Catering: A Guide to Managing a Successful Business Operation (Hardcover)

This is a well-organized text with comprehensive coverage of business challenges faced by a caterer, ranging from in-hotel to off-site mom/pop style businesses. It is very helpful and readable, although I hoped for more recipes and display ideas to leaven the text.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good primer for the catering entrepreneur, March 14, 2011

By 

Lenore Gilyard - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Catering: A Guide to Managing a Successful Business Operation (Hardcover)

I purchased this book after borrowing it from the library and renewing it twice. I found it to be a good primer for anyone who is considering catering as a business. I'm a foodie and but haven't been to cooking school or anything like that, so I found the explanations to be clear and easy to follow. Also learned things I had no idea needed to be taken into consideration when starting a food business.

4.0 out of 5 stars good basic text book, February 22, 2011

By 

MnM (Olalla, WA USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Catering: A Guide to Managing a Successful Business Operation (Hardcover)

This is a good text for those in need of managing skills... I wish the food prep section was bigger, but this is a very nice text manual, especially if you are considering, or just starting out in the field. I was hoping for something slightly more advanced, though I use it as a reference even still.