Barclays one small step competition

Hey people of the world!! :)

WOW!! 2 weeks have literally flown by and each day has brought with it a new adventure. I must say it's been a lot of fun :) The business has now been registered. Edesia Caterers is now an official venture of it's own, the website is under construction, the legal and financial aspects have been sort, and many contacts have been made. The best news of all we have our first booking!!!! To be quite honest this is just the tip of the iceberg, there is still so much to do before launching in June not to mention from then on.

There is so much to consider when creating a business. For me most recently the question of why, why am I creating it. What does it mean for me and what will it mean for everyone else? What is Edesia Caterers? Why ask for our service over someone else's? What makes Edesia Caterers different, better, unique ......... ultimately more chosen. I've got to be really honest with you here, this was really difficult for me to get to grips with and to answer. There is competition out there, a lot of competition. From people who have established themselves in the market for years now. They have what I have, a belief that they can provide great service with great food. As I do, they hold the determination to stay passionate and innovative with their food. I researched a few catering companies, bluff calling to establish how they go about their customer service, pricing, offering and hoping to identify their unique selling point. I didn't find it (their unique selling point) unless I read their website testimonials but it wasn't coming through in they way the spoke with me. I didn't feel comfortable that they had my "party" interest at heart. So it was back to chopping board and back to the question, what is Edesia caterers all about? Will you have to read it on my website, through my blog? No, I want you to feel it from me when we speak.

Last night I completed and submitted my application for a business competition run by Barclays bank. It's called Barclays one small step competition and the winners will receive £50,000 to invest in their new business - you can check out and vote for me through this link

https://www.takeonesmallstep.co.uk/Entry/View/5863

It was a last minute addition to the application which my good friend Debi encouraged and videoed for me. I wouldn't say I'm ready to take over from Larry King but it's nots so bad. There were 5 shots at this video, just to give you a laugh I'm sharing the ones that didn't get through on the link below .......... enjoy!!! I did :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J95D78ag89k

Ok, when you've finish picking yourselves up off the floor :) let me just tell you a lot of focused work went into my pitch to win the competition however if nothing comes of it, it was a great exercise. Through this I wrote down, in a coherent fashion, exactly what Edesia Caterers is about, what it means for me and my customers. In essence this is Edesia Caterers story .....

Edesia caterers strives to incorporate the best of old fashioned values with modern techniques, from where we source our produce to the way we cook, from our level of service to the people who work with us, to provide excellence at your fingertips.

Our slogan “excellence at your fingertips” is not just a catchy phrase it is the essence by which the business was born and is run. As a small catering business we provide a comprehensive catering service to both private and corporate clients. We offer an array of delicious savoury foods from canapes and finger food to buffets and barbeques to formal dining. To enhance these choices we also provide a mouth watering selection of sweets to compliment, with some amazingly moreish gluten free alternatives like our very own Strawberry and Rosemary cake or our own spin on the classic Lemon Meringue Pie. To top off any event we provide a beautiful selection of southern french wines, a mixologist with an exciting cocktail menu and a personalised floristry service.

So 2 weeks have past but as you can see it has not been spent idly sitting around sipping champagne and nibbling on delectable canapes, that job I leave totally to my customers ....... ;)

Now back to the kitchen.