Resources

After Culinary school, you now get to set out on your chosen path. While many graduates decide to intern with prestigious chefs, others have an entrepreneurial spirit and want to start their own business. Here, you will find amazing resources to help you get started and succeed whether you want to be a caterer, open a restaurant, or be a private chef.

Finance Resources

Let’s face it, you’re not going to get very far if you don’t have the capital to start off with.

You need to know who your customers are, the area you will be working in, and how your vendors work. Understanding where your finances stand is a good start. From leases to loans, here is a comprehensive financing list for you to get started with.

According to Forbes you need to be aware of the following:

• Smart Leases
• Bank Loans
• Federal or SBA(7) Loans
• Development Organizations
• Vendors
• Customers
• Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grants
• Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Subsidies
• The IRS
• Bootstrapping

Labs, Clubs, & Mentorship

Did you think you could go at this alone? Think again! There are tons of organizations and clubs that can help you along your entrepreneurial journey.

Here’s a comprehensive list of everything and everyone you need on your side before you start your food business. The list included everything from labs, clubs, organizations, and mentorship programs that can help you network in the culinary industry.

• Popup Restaurants 
• Food+Tech Connect
• Sam Adams – They help you fund your business and more!
• Sprouter
• Startup Nation

Government & Licencing

At this point you should decide whether you want to serve alcoholic beverages or become a BYOB establishment. The choice is yours and it all has to do with how much financing you have available. 

You also have to keep in mind that you need to follow certain health codes and pass inspections in order to open any type of food business. Here’s a comprehensive list of everything that has to do with your government and licensing requirements.

• Everything you need to know from the Small Business Association (SBA)
• FDA Standards and Requirements
  • Regulations
  • Registrations
  • Guidance
  • Public Health
  • Record Keeping
  • Food Safety
  • Labeling
  • Preventative Measures
• Alcohol Licence

If you know of more resources that could help future culinarians, drop me a line and I will gladly add it here.