How to Market and Manage Your Culinary Arts Business?

Answer 1

A career in culinary arts can open up a world of possibilities for the right person. As a chef, or restaurateur, pastry artist or baker, you can showcase your craft, create new masterpieces and turn food into palate pleasing art. Many people enter the cutthroat world of culinary arts, but few are able to elevate to the level of culinary expertise that top chefs enjoy. Marketing yourself as a culinary arts expert is the first step in gaining the independence you need to create your own financial success.

A career in culinary arts is about more than just being a great chef or baker. It’s about business. Culinary artists must market their skills to become more visible and educate potential customers about their products and services. The first step in achieving financial independence in your culinary arts business is to market yourself and gain exposure.

Many culinary artists find the easiest method of marketing their craft is to work within an established restaurant or bakery and gain clients before they strike out on their own. This can be a potential conflict of interest, and can cause problems if you attempt to compete with your old employer for their customer base. Other artists link themselves to complementary business and share in clients who may use their services. A common example of this is the baker who teams up with a wedding planner to gain new brides as clients. Latching onto an established, complimentary business is a great way to market your business and gain new clientele.

Another commonly overlooked skill when establishing a culinary arts business is effective small business management and bookkeeping. Culinary artists need to keep track of invoices, manage databases of customers and orders and follow up on contracts---all while preparing mouth-watering meals and desserts. This is an aspect of your culinary arts business that cannot be overlooked. If this seems intimidating, there are many non-profit organizations that offer classes on small business management at little or no cost.

Managing your culinary arts business is a challenging but necessary part of gaining financial independence and becoming your own boss. By marketing your skills and managing your back office, you’ll be on your way to the big leagues in no time.