Setting up of food wagon

[Mrhello88]

Hi all, have my idea of food wagon for long time but not put into action till now. Looking at the business requirement, I think the backup kitchen is the main issue. Anybody know how I can solve this?

[Strong Eagle]

Hi all, have my idea of food wagon for long time but not put into action till now. Looking at the business requirement, I think the backup kitchen is the main issue. Anybody know how I can solve this?

Get a backup kitchen?

[eastcoastsg]

Get a backup kitchen?

touché

[Mrhello88]

Do I really need to rent a shop for backup kitchen? Then I might as well just get a small stall first rather than having a food wagon?
27 minutes ago

[Sveltfla]

Do I really need to rent a shop for backup kitchen? Then I might as well just get a small stall first rather than having a food wagon?
27 minutes ago

Renting a back up kitchen will double your cost.. If it is just a start up then my suggestion is to get a small stall first and try out.. Based on how the business catches you can think about food wagon..

[PNGMK]

Pick food types that don't need a back up kitchen (or at least not a commercial one).

[JR8]

Where would you pitch/market your food wagon?

Probably not allowed on the street. You would have to pay $$ to access commercial events like open-concerts etc., and there goes most of any profit.

There is potential for private catering, but you'd want some kind of track-record and/or word-of-mouth. Could you start out cooking in a clients kitchen for parties etc., and not bringing a wagon along? Either way it's tough getting a wagon into an Xth floor apartment ... so don't limit the potential market before you even start.

Also look through this website:
http://saybons.com/index.html
They do homestyle soup and crepes etc. It's cool as IIRC she started that up from scratch from home, and now has a few busy/central shops. As I've said before, fantastic product, coupled with clever marketing.

--------------------------
I've posted a link to her site before. As I said last time I have no connection to her, her co, etc in any way. I've bought her soups 4-5 years ago. If anything I'm envious of her business acumen and talent... she made it work... damn I wish I had have had her idea, talent, and had the balls to give it a go...

[Saint]

Do I really need to rent a shop for backup kitchen? Then I might as well just get a small stall first rather than having a food wagon?
27 minutes ago

You legally need to have a central backup kitchen which need it's own independant licence and NEA approval to you food wagon licence.

[JR8]

You legally need to have a central backup kitchen which need it's own independant licence and NEA approval to you food wagon licence.

Interesting!

I seem to recall it being the same in the UK. If you cook/prepare (even simple bacon rolls) from home, to sell on the street etc., your premises must be licensed. I'm surprised they're quite so hot on it here, though perhaps I shouldn't be.

Ok then, Plan#B @ Mr. Hello

Start a catering service for private parties. You take care of the F+B side of things. Perhaps keep it simple to start, cater for children's parties (think of all the potential add-ons you could offer). HDB, or pool-side at the BBQ pits at condos. A future evolution/end-point? Made-to-order gourmet burgers and steaks?

More kind of BBQ/cocktail/canape kind of food, rather than complex curries and rice etc.

You offer a range of options, a pre-bookable menu, you also offer to do special requests. Go in, dish it up in style, clean up afterwards, and exit. Value-added. No need for cart or back-up.

[Saint]

No need for cart or back-up.

Still wouldn't work I'm afraid. You will still need a central kitchen with NEA approval which can not be a private property. The vehicle that would be used to transport the food from the kitchen to the event would also need a NEA Food Delivery Licence

[JR8]

'It's gets better!'

No wonder there's little culinary innovation here, the entry-bar is impossible to cross.

[Saint]

'It's gets better!'

No wonder there's little culinary innovation here, the entry-bar is impossible to cross.

Tell me about it, I had to apply for 7 different licences just to start trading!

[JR8]

I've known three people/friends flourish through extremely successful home cooking/catering concepts.

I don't think a small local circle needs 'protecting' vs 3rd party amateur kitchens. You trade, or not, on your name.

[livingontheedge]

Before you even think about getting a kitchen, you need to get the license to retail F&B products in Singapore. Once that's done, then you would need to consider renting a kitchen.

If you are considering cooking out of your own home's kitchen..........while I notice some have done this........its technically illegal.

[Mrhello88]

So difficult to start business in Singapore!