Caterers are only limited by their own imaginations. For customers who want something unique, there is a legion of niche caterers that do one thing only and do it well.

There are also caterers that specialize in children's parties, dessert parties, and other specific types of occasions. Specialty catering is where you might be able to find a niche in your location. Use your imagination and come up with an original catering idea that can be a novelty at parties.

Kosher Caterers

Another segment of the catering business is represented by kosher caterers. While these caterers may differ in the type of kosher certification they have, they all specialize in either meat and fish dishes or in dairy dishes. The same caterer won't offer both types of dishes at the same event. All kosher caterers will use strictly kosher ingredients. They will not use nonkosher seafood (shrimp, lobster, scallops, mussels, and other shellfish), and they will not mix cheese and other dairy products with poultry, veal, beef, or lamb.

There are a wide variety of kosher caterers across the country. Many large kosher caterers have exclusive contracts with the catering halls at large synagogues and provide the food for all weddings, bar and bat mitzvahs, and other temple events.

Some kosher caterers have their own mobile kitchens in trucks, so that they don't have to use someone else's kitchen or one that may not be strictly kosher. Like other restaurants, many kosher restaurants and delis will prepare their food in platters and large portions for off-site parties. In general, kosher caterers charge a premium over nonkosher caterers because kosher meats and other kosher products are more costly than many non-kosher items. Kosher caterers follow Jewish tradition and laws and can't start cooking or serving food on Saturdays until an hour after sundown, when the Sabbath ends. This is the reason that during the summer, kosher affairs start late on Saturday night and guests often aren't served dinner until midnight.

Of course, you don't have to be Jewish to be a kosher caterer. If there is a large, growing traditional Jewish population in your area, you may want to investigate this segment of the business.

Ethnic Caterers

There are caterers who specialize in serving their communities' particular cultural needs. Think about your local community and the holidays and events they celebrate. Italian communities pull out all the stops for the San Gennaro festival, and Russian communities celebrate Maslenitsa, the spring festival. Some caterers specialize in Sweet 15 parties for la quinceañera celebrations. Just like kosher catering, you do not need to celebrate these occasions yourself, but you do need to understand and respect them.