I received an offer and accepted to make a large sheet cake for the company year end party. I am honored to be asked to make the cake and I see it as a great opportunity to put my name out there. I have a problem or as least I think it will be a problem. I live in NYC and I am not a licensed baker. I am merely doing this as a hobby and hopes to one day have my own cake business. I am not there yet. I love making cakes and love the joy people get from seeing my work. I am careful and use fresh ingredients, but I feel like I can't take the risk of serving my cake to 200+ people. I don't need the liability or stigma of getting someone sick, even though it won't be from my food. The person who contacted me assured me it is okay and there won't be a problem. I am worried. With my luck, someone would get sick from other food they ate during the day and blame my cake for causing them to be sick.

I feel I should go back to this nice lady and decline her offer. I also don't want to miss out of this great opportunity.

Am I doing the right thing?

i understand what you are saying. i too am a hobbyist and do not sell my cakes. although im asked all the time if i would make/sell a cake for occassions.
i think you are taking on a big risk serving a cake to 200 people not being licensed. so many things can happen. its definately not worth it.
sounds like you have time to decline the offer, as sad as it may be. explain to the woman that you are not a licensed baker at this time, and hope to be one day. but unfortunatley you can not make the cake.
good luck with your decsion. i know its tough. so many times when im offered to make a cake for somone and they want to pay me, ugh- i have to say no. ugh!!!
i peaked at your cakes and you do nice work (love the pacman!!) im sure you will be licensed one day and can have a great business.

Thanks so much for your kind words of encouragement Aundrea. It is so frustrating when other people offer you money for your cakes and you have to decline them.

I disagree. I think you should do it. Lots of people that aren't licensed are making wedding cakes (and they are for lots of people too).

Personally, I would decline. I don't see how you see this as an opportunity to get you name "out there" when even if you did get your name out there, you still wouldn't be able to sell your cakes. It's up to you of course, but I think your first train of thought is your right one.

would you do a cake for 50 people? This is just a party 4x over! I honestly think I would do it. I mean really...at what point would you DO a cake? If it was for just 2 people, 10 people, 20? Quit overthinking and overworrying about it. I made 4 full sheet cakes a few years ago for my son's graduation class, and NOT ONCE did I think about making anyone sick. I was as careful then as I am now, but not once did that ever cross my mind about how many people would be eating them. btw...there wasn't one shred of cake left either, and I got alot of inquiries. Good luck wiht whatever decision you make, just don't beat yourself up over it either way.

I would absolutely do it. Good Luck

do it

I can't believe so many people are telling you to go for it knowing your illegal. You must think it's wrong, cause your concerned about being illegal & getting people sick, but obviously want everyone to tell you to "Go For It", cause you want the exposure. I don't even know why you asked the question. And let me tell you, I'm not the legal person who says go tell on the illegal baker, I could careless, but if your sincere about being concerned about being illegal, this is a no brainer.

Are you going to be paid for this or are you giving it to them?

Do it. I got an order for my company holiday party, too. It's for a 150 piece dessert buffet tower. I'm doing it. I don't see this as any different than everyone in the office bringing in food and baked goods for an office party. The only people who will tell you not to do it are the licensed bakers on this site who take offense at any home based bakers making a few bucks instead of them (sour grapes). Chill out, make the cake, make a little bit of money, and maybe you'll get a few birthday cake orders from co-workers out of it.

What I found HEE-larry-us was "I received an offer and accepted"....so did they tell you what they were going to pay you, too?

Sorry, I know you said you're new to this, but this ain't a good start.

And I second Bella's observations.... And I still love her even if she can't make a batch of MFF to save her life....bwahahahaha...

I can see both sides of the story. I'm not trying to get people to agree with me. I feel since I am in this situation, it is hard for me to be unbiased about it. I posted my comment because I would like advice from those who are more experienced than me and who has done this many times before (hopefully in the NYC area) who could steer me in the right direction based on their experiences - not just say things they think I would like to hear.

I know the CC community is rather supportive, but most importantly honest. I am just seeking an honest opinion or advice from people who specializes in this industry. I can't do this based on intuition alone. Listening to other people's experience helps greatly.

I say if you feel comforatable doing it, then do it. But you also want to do it for possibilities of future orders, and you can do those if you want as well, illegally. Or you can look into your state laws and see what's required as far as being able to do things the right way, like renting kitchen space. Insurance gives ALWAYS gives you piece of mind. The final decision is yours. I just felt like your gut was telling you to do it the right way. And THAT is my honest...and non-judgemental opinion.

Yes, the lady said the cake would be paid for. Will that make it an issue?

Thank you for everyone's honest and truthful opinions. It is greatly helpful. I think the best thing to do is decline this offer and look for some legal business advice. Then determine what I should do to make things right and move forward. There will be more opportunities (I hope).

I also live in a state where home kitchens are not licensed, and it's illegal to sell cakes from home. It is extremely frustrating, but I know that one day I WILL open up a business. I do NOT want any illegalities following me, or skeletons in the closet from my past. When I open my business, I want my track record to be 100% clean.

You mentioned in your OP that you were also hoping to open a business someday too. I would keep your eye on the prize, and keep this in mind when deciding. Since they offered to give you money, it is now considered a business transaction which makes it illegal. IF you are giving the cake as a gift, then you can definitely do that.

Again, nobody here can tell you what to do. Only you can decide for yourself which road you want to take.

Good luck.

When I make a cake for someone and they pay me I do not feel like I am 'breaking the law' neither am I 'operating a cake business'. I'm not aware of a law that says I cannot bake a celebration cake and get paid for it.

Running a cake business from my home is not legal. So to me there's a difference between 'running a business' and making one random cake for something. That's how I view it and that's how my Health Department views it.

Making a few cakes a year is not a crime.

So, at what point does it become a business?

By the way, I LOVE reading the forums and I am in no way causing drama. I am not an expert. I only know what is legal where I live and honestly don't care what others do. I am just genuinely curious what makes it a business and what doesn't.

Why does the government make this so difficult and confusing? I mean, at this point, it seems that getting a street vendor license in NYC is easier than legalizing your home kitchen for business.

Is this your company party or a random business that found you?

it sounds like your company as well is unaware of the laws reguarding selling a cake that is not from a licensed business.
sounds innocent enough-but there may be severe consequences.
do you want to make this cake? if so can the cake be donated to the party? i can see why you are on the fence with this? especially at this time of year-extra money would be beneficial.