How to set up a Websta profile as a chef or caterer in Australia

What your profile page should show

Your Websta profile is your storefront. It needs to show who you are and what you do in enough detail that someone can decide to contact you. Start with a clear description of your service - whether you cook for private dinners, corporate events, weddings, small functions or all of these. Be specific about what you actually offer, not what you might offer in future.

Add a photo of yourself and photos of your food. These matter more than text. Show finished dishes, plated meals, or food in preparation - whatever represents your work honestly. If you cook a particular cuisine or style, your photos should make that clear.

List the services you provide. Keep each one short and specific. Examples: private dinner for 6-12 people, catering for corporate lunch, menu planning consultation, or wedding reception catering. Each service should have a short description of what it covers and what the customer gets.

Include a booking or quote request form. Most people searching for a caterer in Australia do not know your prices yet. They want to describe their event, and you respond with details and a quote. This is how it works for most independent chefs and caterers.

Photos and sections that work for this trade

Beyond food photos, show your workspace if it is clean and professional. A kitchen or preparation area builds trust. A photo of you at an event, or setting up food, is more useful than a generic headshot.

Add a brief section on your background - your training, experience, or what inspired you to become a chef or caterer. Two or three sentences is enough. If you trained in a particular country or technique, say so.

Describe your approach to ingredients and sourcing if it matters to your work. Say whether you use local suppliers, seasonal produce, or have any dietary specialties. This helps people know if you match what they are looking for.

Choose one language for your profile. English is the main business language in Australia. If you work with communities that speak another language, you can always add a second language profile, but start with English.

How people in Australia search for caterers

On Websta, customers search by service type and location. They type 'caterers' or 'chefs' and their suburb or postcode. Australia is large - someone in Perth will not see your Melbourne profile, and vice versa. Make sure your profile clearly shows which towns or areas you service. Be honest about your travel distance; many independent caterers cover a suburb or a few suburbs, not the whole country.

Customers also post tasks describing what they need - a dinner for 8 people on a specific date, or catering for a 50-person event. Providers then make offers. Your profile should make it easy for someone to understand what kind of events you take on, so you get relevant enquiries rather than requests you cannot fulfil.

What to check before you start trading

Before you set up a profile, sort out the legal side. In Australia, if you cook food for others as a business, you usually need to comply with food safety laws. Each state has its own rules, but the general principle is that you need to register with your local council or food authority and follow food handling standards. Your kitchen must meet certain hygiene standards - this is usually a commercial kitchen, not your home kitchen. Check with your state's food safety authority or local council to confirm what applies to you.

If you operate from a shared kitchen or commercial space, confirm that the lease allows you to use it for catering. Some landlords have restrictions.

You will need a tax file number and to register for GST if your turnover reaches the threshold set by the Australian Taxation Office. Talk to an accountant about your obligations.

Insurance is important. Public liability insurance covers you if something goes wrong at an event. Check what your kitchen landlord requires, and what your insurer asks for.

What to write in your first hour

Start with the basics. Write a one-sentence description of what you do. Example: 'I cook custom menus for private dinners and small events in the Brisbane area.' This is not marketing copy - it is clarity.

List three to five services you actually offer. For each one, write one sentence about what it includes. Example: 'Private dinner for up to 12 people. You choose the menu or I create one based on your preferences. Includes shopping, preparation, cooking, and plating at your venue.'

Write a short paragraph about your background. Focus on relevant facts - where you trained, how long you have been cooking, or what you specialize in.

Upload at least three photos of your food. If you do not have professional photos yet, use clear phone photos of actual dishes you have made.

Add your location - the suburb or suburbs you service. If you travel within a region, say so. People need to know whether you come to them.

Set up your quote request form so people can send you details about their event and you can respond with a proposal.

The marketplace on Websta

Websta has a marketplace where people post tasks and providers make offers. Someone might post 'Catering for 25 people, vegetarian menu, inner west Sydney, Friday night.' You see this, decide if you can do it, and make an offer. Your profile helps people understand your work when they see your offer. A strong profile with good photos and clear services means more people take your offer seriously.