FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2004

CONTACT: Steve Dolan
(619) 594-5664
sdolan@mail.sdsu.edu

Tuesday, November 9, 2004 - Do you love to cook and plan parties?

If so, you can start your own home-based catering business and make money doing what you love in the Secrets of the Caterer course through San Diego State University's College of Extended Studies.

In this online class, you will learn how to develop a business plan, how to specialize in catering areas, find clients, and develop crowd-pleasing appeal. This new course is full of practical cooking and business tips, real-world tactics, and many unique and tested recipes.

Requirements include Internet access, email, and Netscape or Internet Explorer Web browser.

Instructor Dawn Simmons worked for various restaurants and as a caterer for a major hotel chain before starting her own home-based catering business. She is skilled at presenting great food with flair, and through her course will teach you how to create food that looks as good as it tastes.

The course takes place twice during the spring semester: Feb. 16-March 25 or April 20-May 27. Fee for the course is $103.

To register or for more information, visit www.NeverStopLearning.net or call (619) 594-2517.

There are additional classes through SDSU's College of Extended Studies that will help you in the restaurant industry.

Topics in the class on How to Start and Manage a Small Business include what a business plan is and why you need it, market research techniques that will help your business grow, financing your business, and legal issues that may arise.

A course on Accounting Fundamentals is another must to make a passing grade in the restaurant business. Classes will teach you how to take care of such necessities as accounts receivable, accounts payable, payroll procedures, and sales taxes.

The Effective Advertising and Promotion on a Shoestring Budget class will help you raise the level of awareness to the dining public for as little out-of-pocket expense as possible. Information and methods you'll learn include how to inexpensively produce advertising material, and the implementation of exciting out-of-the-box strategies.

There are other educational opportunities for surviving in the restaurant industry, as well. These classes include The Basics of Small Business Bookkeeping, Tax Workshop for the Small Business Owner, and Employer Payroll Tax Workshops. Classes offer tips such as how to make your tax records easier to maintain and which tax options are available to you. In addition, you will learn information about employment tax requirements and how to keep records to track employment/payroll taxes.

SDSU's College of Extended Studies offers a wide variety of lifelong learning classes, seminars, and certificate programs. Career advancement courses are offered in many areas of management, leadership, and quality improvement while self-enrichment courses range from astronomy to web design. Additionally, the College offers over 30 certificate programs, online courses, and many other learning opportunities. To register or for more information, call (619) 594-5152 or log on to www.NeverStopLearning.net.