Customer Reviews

How to Start a Home-Based Catering Business, 4th

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

How to Start a Home-Based Catering Business is such an excellent book for newbies. It tells you everything you need to know to get started without burying you in too much information. I bought two other books before I found this one and this one is my favorite by far. I strongly recommend it to anyone who is interested in making extra income through catering. It is easy to read and Denise Vivaldo's voice is friendly and reassuring throughout. The recipes are easy and, more importantly, easy to adjust to your own needs. I tried one of the menus for my first big job (20 people...big for me!) and got rave reviews. I have to tell you that I emailed Mrs. Vivaldo to tell her how thrilled I was with the results and to thank her for writing her book...and she emailed me back and cheered me on!

I don't usually write reviews but a comment made in another review prompted me to write this. The issue of legality *IS* addressed in this book...most home-based caterers know that it is not legal to cook out of your home. In most states this is easily solved by cooking in your clients' home. Or, as is stated in Ms. Vivaldo's book, you rent appropriate kitchen space as needed. What a shame to pick on two words of the book when the content is so valuable to caterers of all levels. The quantity recipes that are new to this addition (which is why I bought this new addition even though I have the old one) are very easy and helpful. As a culinary professional I've read many, many, many books on this subject and I think this one is the best.

Let me start by saying that this book has some useful information if you know nothing about catering. My biggest complaint is that there is no such thing as a home based caterer. In nearly every state, town, and rural township in the country, it is illegal to run a catering business out of your house. Just keep that in mind when you buy this book.

Because of this uneasy economy I have started to do small catering events on the weekends for some extra income. I needed a "how to" book and looked at many until finally choosing this one. The selling point for me was the 50 easy to follow catering recipes inside!These kind of recipes are usually only found in reference style books that cost way too much. This useful book is clear,to the point, and the experienced Ms Vivaldo's writing style makes it a joy to read! The ultimate caterer's handbook!

This 4th edition has 50 quantity recipes. This fact is understated on the cover...it should be highlighted because this is the reason to buy the new edition. I originally bought this book after I took a catering class from the author. I found the book full of useful advice but wasn't planning on buying the new edition until I saw on her website ... that the new edition included quantity recipes and menus for many types of parties. The recipes are updated classics for the most part, and are easily altered to fit any theme. They are so clearly written that a novice can make them with confidence.

this book is packed with useful info and very easy to read. some topics covered are plain common sense, but all in all, it is a great book for the passionate beginner.

I just catered my first party and thanks to this book and Secrets From a Caterers Kitchen, the party was a success. It was for 15 guests and everyone loved to food and the presentation. My client has already booked me for a future event. Thanks Denise!!!

This book is extremely informative about the logistics of starting your own catering business. The author shares, not only what you will need to have a successful and legitimate business, but also WHERE to find that information and who to call in your local area. The author, also shares a lot of her personal stories, forms, menus, excerpts from her business plan and budgets. I enjoy this book because the author is very specific in her writing, rather than general and all over the place. Very easy and useful reading.

The book was very informative in reference to the documentations /paperworks needed to control and be a success in this type of business. I am looking for a more technical book on catering, since i did not go to school to learn catering. I love to cook and people ask me to cook for them for small parties. I am actually looking for a book that would help me learn more about average portions of food (meat, vegetables, pasta) and do conversions to larger groups....etc.

I'm been a Professor of restaurant management at the State University NY for about 20 years, and often teach the catering class. Denise's book is the BEST book for people actually wanting to start a catering business. There are plenty of recipes on the web, etc. But Denise has filled a need in a way that the "professional books" don't do. Those books usually cost at least twice as much, and don't really help the entreprenuer.