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  4. Your guide

Step-by-step guide

Catering for events, funerals and functions: your step-by-step start

Cook and serve food for parties, weddings, funerals, church and company events, priced per head with a deposit.

  • 19 lessons
  • 5 modules
  • about 1 hour in total

Is this guide for you?

Good fit if

  • Experienced cooks who can cook for big groups, organise helpers and handle pressure on the day.

Think twice if

  • You need money within the next two weeks: first income usually takes about 30 days.
  • You have no way to get to customers or move your kit.
  • You cannot put about R2 000 into getting started.

Honest expectations

  • First income usually takes about 30 days.
  • Part time, this can become a meaningful second income once you have regular customers.
  • The main risk to plan for: food poisoning at a big event: keep hot food hot and cold food cold.

What is inside

  1. Module 1

    Is this right for you?

    What it involves, who pays, and honest expectations.

    1. How catering for events, funerals and functions worksFree · 5 min
    2. Honest expectations4 min (in the full guide)
  2. Module 2

    Set up and price

    What you need and what to charge.

    1. Your startup kit, costs and skills5 min (in the full guide)
    2. Pricing and getting paid5 min (in the full guide)
    3. Your numbers: a worked example in rands5 min (in the full guide)
  3. Module 3

    Your first week

    The first steps, in order.

    1. Your first week, step by step6 min (in the full guide)
    2. Week one, step 2: Write a booking form: date, guest count, menu, deposit, cut-off3 min (in the full guide)
    3. Week one, step 3: Aim for line up two reliable helpers3 min (in the full guide)
    4. Finding your first customers: who to message5 min (in the full guide)
    5. Messages to copy: your first customers5 min (in the full guide)
  4. Module 4

    Your first month

    A routine that brings in customers.

    1. Your first 30 days: build a routine4 min (in the full guide)
    2. Month one, task 1: Start your Certificate of Acceptability3 min (in the full guide)
    3. Month one, task 2: Visit two funeral parlours and two churches with your menu3 min (in the full guide)
    4. Month one, task 3: Aim for cater your first event and photograph the food3 min (in the full guide)
  5. Module 5

    Months two and three

    Repeat what works, grow and stay safe.

    1. Days 31 to 90: repeat what works and grow4 min (in the full guide)
    2. Months two and three, task 1: Buy or hire the equipment you use most3 min (in the full guide)
    3. Months two and three, task 2: Raise prices once you are booked two weekends ahead3 min (in the full guide)
    4. Getting paid safely and spotting scams4 min (in the full guide)
    5. Risks, rules, tax and staying safe5 min (in the full guide)

What it costs to start

R2 000 to R20 000 to get started, from our research

What you will use:

  • Large pots and gas burners
  • Chafing dishes
  • Booking form
  • Menu and price sheet

Prices change and differ by area, so check two places near you before you buy.

Try it before you buy

Lesson one is free. If it helps, the whole guide is R149 once-off.

Start the free lesson

Reviewed 24 October 2026 by the Earn Path team. Next review due 24 October 2027.