The Cateres Guide

What is a Gold License Caterer?

The Caterers Gold License has established minimum standards for caterers in the areas of hygiene in food preparation, the quality of cooking personnel and management, the existence of appropriate Workers Compensation and Product & Public Liability insurance. All of these are potential problem areas for unsuspecting customers of 'fly-by-night' businesses, and ensure that consumers are supplied with a quality product.

Many people only use a caterer on average three times in their life, for a wedding, an anniversary or a special birthday, and one incident of food poisoning can spoil what should be a memorable occasion. Unfortunately, many people don’t know what to look for when selecting a caterer.

A Gold License Caterer Must Have The Following

1) Commercial Kitchen
A legal requirement for preparation, adequate refrigeration for food storage, appropriate facilities for transportation of food and the handling of food on sale.

2) Up-to-date and Relevant Insurances
The caterer must provide protection of consumers by taking out public & product liability and worker compensation insurances.

3) Training and/or experience
Gold Licence Caterers must have or employ a senior person who have five years experience within the hospitality industry, in food preparation or catering management, along with relevant qualifications, a Safe Food Handling Certificate and Responsible Service of Alcohol Certificate.

4) Foodsafe (WA only)
Food Handler Training Programme where all staff have at least basic food handler training; and FoodSafe practices are maintained to the satisfaction of the Environmental Health Officer.

The Accreditation Process
An independent Accreditation Board has been established in each state to undertake the approval of Gold License Caterers. The Board consists of representatives from governing industry bodies and State Accreditation Sub-Committee.

When choosing your caterer, make sure you ask if they hold a Gold License.