Food

Catering for events, funerals and functions

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

Some evidenceLast checked 24 Oct 2026

See how this fits you, freeAbout 6 minutes, no sign-up.

Is this for you?

Best for

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

In South Africa: Strong in every community.

What you need

  • A phone is enough to start
  • Works on everyday data
  • No camera needed
  • No cold selling
  • At least 10 hours a week · age 18+
  • Cooking & baking (proven or better) or Admin & organising (competent or better)

The money

What it can earn

  1. Pocket money
  2. A top-up
  3. A second income
  4. Can become a full income

Part time, this can become a meaningful second income once you have regular customers.

What people charge

R100 to R800 per guest

Published SA guides (2026): funeral catering about R100 to R200 a person; wedding buffets about R350 to R800 a guest. The model assumes 1 guest per paid hour of your time and R200 a guest for food, helpers and hired equipment. These are example figures: change them once you know your own.

Costs to plan for

Start-up
R2 000 to R20 000
Every month
Ingredients per event (paid by the deposit), helpers, gas, hire of pots, chafing dishes and tables.
Payment fees
EFT deposit and balance before the event.
Margin
Good when portions are planned and you are not left with food.

How it is paid: Price per head, with a deposit of at least half before buying ingredients. Our viability score for it: 58 out of 100 (how we score).

How to start

  1. Test it cheaply Before you spend

    • Write three menus (funeral, party, wedding) and cost them per head
    • Cater one small event at a fair price for a referral
    • Success signal: two paid bookings from people outside your family

  2. First week Days 1 to 7

    • Cost three menus per head for 50 guests
    • Write a booking form: date, guest count, menu, deposit, cut-off
    • Line up two reliable helpers

  3. First month Days 8 to 30

    • Start your Certificate of Acceptability
    • Visit two funeral parlours and two churches with your menu
    • Cater your first event and photograph the food

  4. By three months Days 31 to 90

    • Buy or hire the equipment you use most
    • Raise prices once you are booked two weekends ahead

Your first booking usually comes from someone who has eaten your food. First income usually takes 7 to 90 days. A day-by-day version for your situation is in the full plan.

Step-by-step guide

Event catering: from your first small function to steady bookings

24 short lessons with scripts, templates and rand prices to copy. R149 once-off, and the first lesson is free.

See what is inside

Customers and demand

Who pays

Families with funerals, weddings and celebrations, churches, schools and companies.

Good food for many guests without the family cooking for days.

Is there demand?

Published 2026 SA price guides: funeral catering about R100 to R200 a person for a one-course buffet; wedding buffets about R350 to R800 a guest. Event volumes for a new caterer are not published.

Funerals and memorialsWeddings and umembesoChurch and school functionsOffice year-end functions

Getting customers

Word of mouth at every event you cater, plus churches, funeral parlours and event venues.

Word of mouth and referralsIn-person networkingPartnerships with other businessesResponding to enquiries

Risks and rules

Watch out for

  • Food poisoning at a big event: keep hot food hot and cold food cold
  • Guest numbers that change: agree a final number and cut-off
  • Unpaid balances: full payment before the day

Competition: Moderate; reliability and taste win repeat business.

Room to grow: Grows with a team and equipment.

Legal and tax in South Africa

  • Selling food from home or a stall needs a Certificate of Acceptability from your municipality's environmental health office (food hygiene regulations R638).
  • Keep food covered, hands washed, raw and cooked food apart, and cold food cold.
  • If customers come to your home, check your municipality's home-business rules (Cape Town, for example, allows small home businesses with conditions).
  • Register for income tax with SARS once you earn above the tax threshold, and keep a record of every sale and every cost (stock, materials, transport and fees are business costs).

Questions people ask

How much does it cost to start catering for events, funerals and functions in South Africa?

Our research puts start-up costs at about R2 000 to R20 000. Recurring costs: Ingredients per event (paid by the deposit), helpers, gas, hire of pots, chafing dishes and tables.

How long until the first income?

Typically about 30 days, and between 7 and 90 days. Your first booking usually comes from someone who has eaten your food.

Can I do it with only a phone?

Yes, a smartphone is enough to start, although a laptop helps as you grow.

What about tax and legal rules?

Selling food from home or a stall needs a Certificate of Acceptability from your municipality's environmental health office (food hygiene regulations R638). Keep food covered, hands washed, raw and cooked food apart, and cold food cold. If customers come to your home, check your municipality's home-business rules (Cape Town, for example, allows small home businesses with conditions). Register for income tax with SARS once you earn above the tax threshold, and keep a record of every sale and every cost (stock, materials, transport and fees are business costs).

Sources (3)

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Researched by the Earn Path team · editorial policy