Make Money Cooking

by Julie McMurchie
















Teaching cooking classes

If you have an outgoing personality, and the ability to intelligently speak to a group of
people and cook at the same time, you might consider teaching cooking classes.

as Italian food, could very well increase your chances for success.
as Italian food, could very well increase your chances for success.

Getting Started

In addition to the basic business start-up requirements (licensing, insurance,
bookkeeping, equipment and supplies) you need a good solid idea of what classes
you will be offering. Keep in mind, people like to eat. Classes that actually prepare
dishes that can be served will be much more popular than ones that focus on how
to cut a radish rose garnish.

  1. Write down your class ideas. Will you focus on one dish, or will you prepare
    a full meal? What is your specialty?
  2. Select five or six class ideas from your list and prepare a menu for each.
  3. Write the class presentations. Include what you will be demonstrating, and
    what the participants will be asked to do. A hands-on class will be better
    received than a lecture/demonstration performed solely by you.
  4. Make a list of ingredients, supplies and equipment you will need for each
    class, including printed recipes and other information you will provide to
    each person in the class.
  5. Price your classes. Decide how much you will charge per person. Include
    the cost of the food, and your profit.
  6. Practice, practice, practice. I can't say this enough. The last thing you want to
    do is go unprepared. Multiple practice sessions will help you identify what
    you may have omitted from your written presentation, ingredient list, and
    required equipment.
  7. Check with your local health department for requirements relating to your
    business, and make sure you are in compliance with all of them before you
    officially begin operations.
  8. Prepare your marketing materials. Obtain your business license, fictitious
    business name, business insurance, etc.
  9. Have menus, recipes and class notes printed to hand out for each class.
  10. Begin marketing your classes. Start by asking those close to you to invite
    their friends and family to join them for a fun evening of cooking and eating.
    Hopefully, these will be your base clients that help you build your business.

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