Street Food Trader

Typical Salary

To

Typical Hours

41 to 43 variable

in your own business managing your own hours

How To Become a Street Food Trader

You can get into this job through:

an apprenticeship
working towards this role

College / University

Apprenticeship

You can prepare for this job by doing a senior production chef advanced apprenticeship.

5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

Routes into this Career

It's common to get experience working in a cafe, pub, restaurant or hotel kitchen first and then set up your own street food business.

Other Routes

Other Routes are not listed for this job.

Skills And Knowledge

You'll need:

customer service skills
the ability to work well with others
maths skills
patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
the ability to sell products and services
knowledge of transport methods, costs and benefits
excellent verbal communication skills
to be thorough and pay attention to detail
to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Day To Day Tasks

Your day-to-day tasks may include:

stocking up on food ingredients and drinks
driving your mobile unit to a venue and setting up
checking the temperature of fridges and food
handling raw food safely
preparing and cooking food to a high standard
serving customers and building up repeat business
washing up and keeping your work area clean, tidy and safe
keeping track of finances and marketing your business

Working Environment

You could work on festival sites, on the streets or on a market stall.

Your working environment may be outdoors some of the time and physically demanding.

Career Path & Progression

With experience, you could move to a busier pitch.

Extra training in cooking and cuisine could help you to improve or widen the range of products you offer.

Volunteering Opportunities

Volunteering Opportunities are not listed for this job.

Tips & Information

Registration

you'll need to register with your local Environmental Health Department before you start trading

Career tips

Experience in catering or customer service will be useful.

Further information

You can find out more about careers in catering from the Hospitality Guild and the Nationwide Caterers Association.

Restrictions & Requirements

You'll need to:

have a full driving licence
get a food hygiene certificate

You'll need a Street Trading Licence unless you operate only at events on private land.

The Nationwide Caterers Association has information about setting up and offers advice about driving licences and regulations for towing catering vehicles.