How to Start & Grow a Profitable Small Food Business

A 6-week live online workshop for aspiring food business owners
Tuesdays | 8.30am–10.00am (UK time)

Whether you’re planning a café, catering business, food truck or home-based food business, this practical workshop will help you start with clarity, confidence, and fewer costly mistakes.

This Workshop Is For You If…

You are:

• Thinking about starting a food business but feel overwhelmed
• Unsure which food business model is right for you
• Worried about costs, pricing, or “getting it wrong”
• Confused by legal and food safety requirements
• Keen to start sensibly, not rushed or reactive

You don’t need business experience — just a genuine intention to start.

Why This Program Is Different

Many food business courses:

• Focus on inspiration rather than reality
• Overwhelm with detail
• Skip the hard conversations about money, workload, and risk

This program is different.

It is:

• Practical, calm, and realistic
• Designed specifically for small food businesses
• Taught by someone who understands the real challenges of food businesses
• Focused on reducing risk before you invest heavily

What You’ll Learn Over 6 Weeks

• Understanding the Small Food Business Landscape
• Choosing the Right Food Business Model
• Planning for Profit Before You Start
• Setting Up Financial Controls
• Legal Obligations
• Food Hygiene, Safety & Risk Management
• Designing Your Menu & Product Offering
• Marketing Your Food Business
• Staff Management
• Scaling & Growing Sustainably

How the Workshop Works

• 6 live online sessions
• 90 minutes each
• Delivered via Zoom
• Emailed session slides

This is a live, supported learning experience — not a self-study course.

What You’ll Leave With

By the end of the 6 weeks, you will have:

• Greater clarity and confidence
• A realistic understanding of costs and workload
• A clearer food business model
• Reduced fear around compliance
• Fewer “what ifs” and more certainty

Dates & Time

Tuesdays (6 weeks)
8.30am–10.00am (UK time)
Online (Zoom)

Ready to Start With Clarity?

Reserve Your Place

If you’re serious about starting or growing a food business — and want to do it properly — this program will save you time, money, and unnecessary stress.

About Linda Bamford

Linda Bamford is the Founder & CEO of A La Carte Training, with over 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry. Passionate about helping small-scale eateries—such as cafes, restaurants, and catering businesses—achieve financial success and freedom, she brings extensive knowledge to the table.

Linda's background includes:

• Owner of a cafe and catering business
• Author of 15 "How to…" restaurant & catering eGuides
• University lecturer in hotel and hospitality management

Her qualifications include:

• Master of Business in International Tourism & Hospitality
• Bachelor’s degrees in Restaurant & Catering Management & Hotel Management
• Cordon Bleu and Prue Leith Cookery Certificates

Dedicated to ongoing professional development, Linda stays current with industry trends through training, trade shows, and membership in professional organizations.

About A La Carte Training

A La Carte Training offers online live workshops designed to help you start and grow a successful small food business. With over 20 years of experience, we specialise in training new and existing owners of restaurants, cafes, coffee shops, home-based catering, and other eateries.

Our workshops focus on the essential ingredients for running a successful small food business. We combine high-quality content with real-world examples, case studies, practical tips, and interactive activities. By the end of each session, you'll have the knowledge and confidence to take immediate action and embark on your own food business journey.

What the expert says…

Experienced and Award-Winning Chef reveals what he wished the knew when starting out in the restaurant and catering industry.

Frank’, Camorra, MoVide, Melbourne…

“Most importantly, I wish I had known more about the business side of running restaurants, I’d recommend doing a small business course that teaches you about managing staff, cashflow, and reading and managing a profit and loss statement. Don’t assume that you can do it all, but you need to have that basic understanding.” (Source: Restaurant Catering Magazine).

What food entrepreneurs say...

“I have really enjoyed the 2-day workshop with Linda. I have gained so much more knowledge and I am feeling more confident and determined to not only start my business but also work hard at making it a success. I would highly recommend this workshop for anyone looking into their own business who is unsure where to begin, you will not be disappointed.” (Niki Telford, Coffee Shop).

“I’ve increased my overall profit since putting into action the tips I learnt from Linda. An absolute must for anyone who would like to learn and know anything about entering the hospitality business. I was new to operating a cafe business. I had experience as a chef but no hospitality management and marketing skills. Linda is so enthusiastic and passionate about helping you to run a successful business. Lots of hands-on knowledge. Thanks Linda.” (Jay Sewell, Jay’s Cafe, Queensland).

“All the information on law, management, marketing as well as tips and tricks were unbelievable. At least I know what is involved in handling and managing a food business. Thank you Linda for your precious help.” (Gavina Deiana Pecci, Gavina’s Kitchen).

“Linda was lovely and really easy to understand. If there was anything Linda didn’t know the answer to, she would research it and present it at the next class. Very professional and her experience is invaluable. I would recommend A La Carte Training to anyone looking at getting into the food business.” (Amanda Johnson, Fiery Lion (Popside Food Markets/Truck).

“I learnt how to start up a food business – from setting up, to costing, management and marketing. I can highly recommend A La Carte Training so you can avoid what not to do before you start your food business.” (Janet Wardle Catering Business).

“The Filipino Shop is one among the original food market stall holders in Southport Chinatown. Linda has guided me well in the topic of food costings. The workshop is also a good venue to test market a food concept or product. The famous grilled corn flavours.