Catering

  

Starting a catering business in New Haven can be either a standalone venture or be supplemental to your already thriving business! Catering is a great option for food-based businesses looking to elevate events with their delicious food and it can be a great way to get your name out there. If you are exploring the catering option, you will have to go through all of the steps in this toolkit (deciding which kind of business best fits your vision, registering with the state, food safety training). Since catering typically involves high volume production, considering a location that has capacity for your cooking, baking, and assembling is especially important. Use the information on this website to decide whether a cottage food operation, micro-food operation using a commercial kitchen, or your own space will be best for your catering venture.

Employee requirements

Typically catering requires employees due to the sheer volume of work in a short amount of time—if you plan to hire employees for your catering venture, be sure you follow all wage and employment guidelines by the State of Connecticut. The Connecticut Department of Labor deems employees engaging in food preparation as non-exempt employees, meaning that anyone helping you with preparing food is protected under wage and labor laws. For example, you must pay your employees at least minimum wage and provide overtime if applicable.

Retail baking & frozen desserts

If you are producing baked goods for your catering service, you must complete a bakery application with the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection. If you are producing frozen desserts for your catering service, you must complete an application for a Frozen Dessert License with the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection.

Cost

The license fee for a caterer to operate within the city of New Haven is $550.00, regardless of the floor area of said establishment or business.