Chef and caterer profile on Websta: set up in France

What your profile page should contain

Your Websta profile is a working page, not a portfolio site. It needs to answer the questions a potential client will have when they find you. Start with a clear description of what you do - whether that is event catering, meal preparation, private chef services, or something else. Be specific about the type of work you take on.

Add photos of your food and, if possible, your workspace or past events. People hiring a chef or caterer want to see the standard they can expect. Three to five photos of finished dishes or a catered event are enough to start.

List the services you offer. These might include catering for weddings, corporate events, intimate dinners, meal prep delivery, or cooking classes. Each service can have its own price that you set. Add a booking system for services clients can book directly, or a quote request form for larger or custom jobs where you need to discuss details first.

Include a contact form so people can reach you with questions. Add a phone number and email address if you are comfortable sharing them.

• Service descriptions - what you cook, who you cook for, any specialties
• Photos - at least three to five images of your food or events
• Booking or quote request - choose what fits your work style
• Contact form - with phone and email
• Languages - French for all content, English if you work with international clients

Languages to publish in

Publish your profile in French first. That is where most of your local clients will search. If you work regularly with clients who speak English - for example, at international companies or for expat communities in Paris, Lyon, or other cities - add an English version of your main service descriptions and contact information. You do not need to translate everything; focus on the services and how to reach you.

How people in France find chefs and caterers

On Websta, people search for chefs and caterers by service type and location. Someone planning a wedding in Marseille or a corporate lunch in Paris will search for catering services in their area and see profiles of providers who work there. Websta shows local results based on where the client is and the service they need.

Clients also post tasks for specific jobs - a birthday dinner for 20 people, a menu for a corporate event, a week of meal prep - and providers can make offers on those tasks. This works well for caterers and chefs because it lets you see exactly what a client needs before you commit to a quote.

Legal and business setup in France

If you work as an independent chef or caterer in France, you must register with the relevant business authority. Most chefs and caterers register as a micro-entrepreneur (micro-entreprise) or as a self-employed sole trader (travailleur indépendant). You will have a business registration number (SIRET) and will need to declare your income to tax authorities.

Food handling and kitchen standards in France are regulated. If you cook from home, check your local health authority (Direction Départementale de la Protection des Populations, DDPP) for rules about what you can and cannot do. Some regions allow small-scale catering from a home kitchen under certain conditions; others require a registered commercial kitchen. The rules vary by department, so contact your local DDPP office before you start.

Payment through Websta is processed by Stripe, and money goes directly to your own bank account. You set the prices for your services. Keep records of all transactions for tax purposes.

If you hire staff or plan to grow, you will need to register with social security authorities and follow employment law. For now, focus on what you can do as a solo operator and check with your local chamber of commerce (Chambre de Commerce et d'Industrie) or business advisor if you have questions about regulations.

What to write in the first hour

Start simple. You do not need a perfect profile to begin. In the first hour, write a one or two sentence description of what you do - for example, 'I prepare catering for weddings, corporate events, and private dinners across France' or 'Personal chef and meal prep specialist, working in the Paris region and Île-de-France.' Add your location or the main areas where you work.

List two or three services you offer most often, and add a price for each. If you are not sure about pricing yet, research what other chefs and caterers in your region charge for similar work.

Upload at least one photo - a finished dish, a plated meal, or a photo from a catered event if you have one.

Add your email and phone number so people can contact you. Use a professional email address if you do not have one yet.

Write your profile in French. Proofread it once for spelling and clarity. Then publish it. You can edit and add more photos later as you take new ones.

Building your presence over time

After you publish, your profile is live and searchable on Websta. People can book services or ask for quotes. Each time you do a job, take a photo or two - of the finished dishes, the table setup, or a moment from the event. Add those photos to your profile to show the range and quality of your work.

Keep your service list updated. If you start offering a new type of catering or cooking service, add it to your profile. Remove services you no longer offer.

Respond to booking and quote requests quickly. The faster you get back to potential clients, the more likely they are to book with you.

Ask satisfied clients if they will leave a note on your profile about their experience. Over time, a profile with photos and client feedback becomes a tool that brings in regular work.