Legal requirements to bake from home

I sell wedding cakes here from my home kitchen to family and friends. I have made about 20 wedding cakes, and I really love doing it. I would love to advertise and get more business. I am wondering if I can legally do that or do I need to have a certified kitchen to bake in?
Thanks for your help!
Andrea

Hi Andrea,
You will need to be certified to make wedding cakes from your home kitchen legally. There is a great website by a woman named Detra who can answer all of those kinds of questions. She researches individual states and the cottage industry laws. Here is the link to Home based Baking She also has a facebook page and hosts live discussions. Tell her that you were referred by Lorelie from Wedding Cakes For You. Please get back to me to let me know if she is able to help you out, or if you need more advice.

Legalities?!

by Sabrina Ravello
(Bronx, NY)

Question:I would like to start a home-baking business creating custom cakes. But, I was told that I could not bake from my own kitchen and sell my cakes because it was not legal or permitted by the health department.

How does one get started if not from the home? Most have started from home and are now prosperous establishments. I really love doing what I do. Please help. :(

Answer:Hi Sabrina,
It is a shame because most home kitchens are cleaner than industrial kitchens in my experience.
It may be legal in some towns, but most towns do not allow it. Have you checked with your town yet?

I am one of those people who did have a small business making cakes out of my home kitchen and the town found out about it. (thanks to my neighbor) They were very kind and allowed me to continue as long as they could inspect twice a year. It was a small town, I don't know what the consequences are if you live in a large town or city. So I am not suggesting you do as I did.

I would suggest that you find a small restaurant in your town that would allow you to use their space until you get established. You may want to read Anne Heap story on my site, owner of the Pink Cake Box. She make amazing cakes and started out working in a restaurant kitchen. She did have formal training, but it is not absolutely necessary in my opinion. If you love it enough and are willing to learn as you go, you can do this. Good luck and keep us updated on your progress. ok?

UPDATE: I no longer sell wedding cakes from the home, I only make cakes for the purpose of teaching and making videos for this website,You Tube etc. This website is helping me to make a decent living without having to actually make cakes. :-)

There is a video that Sitesell made about me and this website if you are interested in seeing how I am doing it and how you can do it too.


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