Yes, there are indeed books that discuss about opening catering businesses. One book, How to start a home-based catering business, is a good book to gather for more information about catering businesses.
I can't speak for 2007 numbers, but according to UK government that number in 2006 was 19,894,000. http://www.statistics.gov.uk/downloads/theme_labour/ASHE_2006_Method07/2006_all_employees.pdf
hospitality catering
The catering sector, in simple terms, is the 'catering' side of the food business which is hired to provide food in locations such as schools, prisons, festivals etc, unlike the commercial sector which provides food for its own company.
the hospitality and catering industry provides three main operations:cateringaccomadationhospitality
Catering businesses make and bring food and sometimes servers to events. Their strengths are their employees, promptness, cooking skills, and presentation.
drugs
The definiton of hospitality and catering is , welcoming the local, strangers and guests to the certain place, for e.x. restaurants , and strip clubs
A display ad in the Yellow Pages is important for catering businesses to get their name out there. This is often the first place customers go when looking for a catering business.
the size of the catering industry is masive and evry day enlarges
i am not sure
Hotel Restaurant Catering/Event Planning Limousine/Airport Transport Service Tour Operator/Guide