How I started my own mobile catering business

Choosing my target market

I thought about providing hot food and drinks for workers in a remote spot, somewhere my service would actually be appreciated. I was not certain at first, but after some research I decided a catering trailer was a good option — cheaper than renting a shop, with no long lease, business rates or fixed location to tie me down.

I had no experience of cooking whatsoever, never mind cooking for other people. That did not put me off. I saw it as a challenge, and I really wanted to find out whether I could start my own business rather than just daydream about it.

Van or trailer, and the kit I would need

I had always wanted something that was mine, so buying a catering van or trailer was a no-going-back decision. As the saying goes, put your money where your mouth is.

The difference between the two is simple: a catering van you can drive, while a trailer has to be towed by another vehicle. Apart from that they do the same job.

I did not really know what cooking equipment I needed, but with more research and by talking to other mobile caterers, I found these to be the essentials to get going:

• Some stock to start with
• A griddle for eggs, bacon and the like
• A bain-marie to keep hot food hot
• A fryer for chips and other deep frying
• A fridge and freezer for food and canned drinks
• A food thermometer for checking temperatures
• A generator to power the lights and electrics
• LPG gas for cooking
• A hot-water tea urn

Buying my first van — the £3,200 monster truck

I had a budget of around £3,000 to get started, and a lot of the trailers I looked at were either too small or just not right. I was eager to begin and really wanted to find something suitable. Then one day, browsing eBay, a vehicle caught my eye. It read something like: “catering truck, substantial vehicle, paid £10,000, good condition, hand-built by a local coachwork company — quick sale wanted.” The price was £4,500. I was tempted, but it was out of my range, so I left it.

Three weeks later it was still listed, and this time the price had dropped to £3,500. I wanted to see it before making any offer. The morning we set off to view it was horrid — dark and rainy, not great driving conditions — and it took us four hours to get there. My sister and brother came along for support, and for a second opinion.

I still remember seeing the truck for the first time. My first words were, “errr, what a horrible-looking thing!” It was painted beige all over; no wonder nobody had bought it, I thought. A bit deflated, I parked up and the seller showed us around. It was a substantial vehicle, no doubt about that, and properly built — not a converted van with bits thrown in. It had all the equipment I needed, including a generator and an extra drinks display fridge, which was very useful. I was still in two minds, mostly because of that light beige colour. My sister and brother seemed to like it (I do not know why), so we negotiated the price down to £3,200 and I bought it.

It was delivered the next day. What a monster truck — I could hardly believe I had bought it. But it has definitely grown on me, and it got me one big step nearer to starting my own business. In the next chapter I will show you what I did to turn that beige beast into something I was proud to trade from.