I have found a place near me that rents hourly/daily/weekly. Before I call them, I would like to know from anyone here what is it like to rent a professional kitchen. Thanks

Wow! I wish I could find something like that here. I'm in a bad situation in that the restaurant I was using was sold and I can't work out of my house. How did you find out about this place? Thx!

That would be great... wish I had one like that here! Let us know how it goes!

Well I have heard on here that ppl rent kitchens, so I went and checked out a cake supply store and asked the lady there. She was telling me most of the cake club people still do it in their homes so she was really happy that I asked about it. She dug through her pile of business cards and gave me the info.

What I was wondering is like how you rent only part time. I know that in order to be licensed here I have to bake and decorate them at the kitchen. So like you have to cart all your ingredients there? And pans too?

Wow first time posting... Anyway. I'm in the process of renting a kitchen now. They'll provide some space for ingredient storage and everything else, mixer, pans, etc. I'll cart from home. They set aside a mutually agreed upon time (Thursdays from 12-4) that is my time whether I need it every week or not. Measure everything out and have it ready to go when you get there.

I rent a kitchen. I was lucky in that I found a really flexible guy. I do have to carry my supplies back and forth but I leave one of my kitchenaids there. I rent once a week when I need it, so in the summer when I take some time off I don't need it and I don't have to pay for it. Here though you are only required to bake there, anything open like eggs etc has to be taken care of in a legal kitchen. I can decorate at home and the owner of the kitchen double checked that also.

I hope that helps. I know each state and area is different.

Thanks

So how is it to cook in someone elses ovens. Should I do a test run of some of my recipes to see how they turn out?

So how do I find out about renting a kitchen? This sounds like the ideal situation for me as I don't want to own a bakery or have the money to do so.

Rexy is there anywhere, like a bakery or a cake supply store like I did that you could ask around where you live?

I'm just afraid to start it under the table out of my home. I know my luck I'd get caught

It's not bad cooking in the huge ovens. I get all the weeks baking done in about 4 hours or less because they all fit at once. I just watched everything close when I first started. Now I know the top two shelves get done faster than the bottom two.. it's like a huge dual oven. he has a convection oven also but it is smaller and I didn't care for it anyways.

Do you have to rent a kitchen to do it legally?? Are you not aloud to use your own kitchen?? I really want to start a business but.....I want it to be legal, how do I find out the laws? I have tried looking on the internet but I can't seem to find anything.....Please HELP!!!

Where I live you are not allowed to have a home bakery. I found the info by searching for my city's health department which is the agency responisble for the licensing here. In other states the department of agriculture is responsable.

sammnettles, if that's Jacksonville FL, wow are you on for it. Florida is a tough state. To do it legally you have to have a seperate kitchen, three compartment sink, handwashing sink, mop sink, ect. There are lots or rules and restrictions. FL is one of the hardest states I've heard of. Call the Dept of agricutlure, they can send you some info.

This is my first post on this site. I hope it comes through ok.

Would you mind sharing how much you pay to rent the space hourly,weely,and/or monthly? I found a really cute little bakery near my home and was thinking of proposing this idea to the owner.

Also, I'm in Upstate NY and recently heard that even if I rent an already licensed kitchen, I will still need to get my own license to use that kitchen as well. Does anyone have any other feedback that would be helpful as I begin to start this process? Thanks, Tammy

Here in Texas, the facility has to be approved by the local health department, but each business operating in the facility has to have a food establishment permit from the state dept. of health. From what I've seen on this message board, I think many states have similar requirements (though the dept names are different a lot of times.)

I've looked into renting kitchen space and have found a place that rents for $80 for 4 hours 8am to 10pm or $40 for 4 hours 10pm to 8am. I will be able to use any of the equipment that's in the kitchen, so will have to tote a minimum of equipment. The reason I have not yet gone ahead with this (other than the fact that I just don't have that much business yet) is that I'm not ready to deal with the IRS. You'll have to get a tax number and start filing taxes quarterly, including sales tax. YUCK!

Ali

so glad your guys are able to rent kitchen space! some states are harder than others. my state, you have to have a seperate kitchen with a three bay sink and seperate sink to wash your hands. fortunatly, we were remodeling our basement last summer so i claimed space and am in process of putting a kitchen down there.
you could rent space, and with being in a liscensed kitchen you could advertise and let your business grow, then use your new cash flow to fix a kitchen up at your own home, if possible. if not, you could at least advertise your talents and get more business.
good luck and please keep us posted on your progress, the ups and downs so we all know!
thanks!
melody

Anyone have any knowledge about WV? I am afraid to even ask-kind of like a red flag isn't it.

Hi,
I was just browsing the posts and I thought I would share my 2 cents. I believe you don't have to get your own tax number if you are operating as a sole proprietorship. You use your social security number on any forms that you need. It might differ from state to state but I would check your Secretary of State website..they have tons of information.

Melodyscakes- I saw that you are from KC. Yea!

When you mentioned your state in the above post, is that MO or KS? I am beginning to look into becoming licensed and was wondering what state you were talking about for the 3 bay sink, etc...

Thanks,
Brandi

I could be wrong, but I thought you still had to have a tax number for a sole proprietorship, but it's just your SSN + 1 or 2 extra digits. If not, what a relief that would be!

Ali

For those living in Florida - here is the link to the Department of Agriculture
http://doacs.state.fl.us/onestop/fs/foodsafe.html
I just started reading and it sounds tough.

As long as you are not a partnership..LLC..or corporation and you don't have any employees you use your social security number only for your forms. That means you are personally responsible for all debts and taking out your own taxes. A sole proprietorship is very lenient on their rules and regulations. If you are using your own name( ie..Freda's Flowers) you don't even have to register with the Secretary of State.Go to irs.gov for information on taxes...you just file losses and business expenses on form 1040 I believe. This is what I do for my business. Also I don't believe you charge sales tax on anything to go..sales tax is for eat-in business only. Again, this is for my state - yours might be different. I hope this helps.

This is all great information - has anyone checked into Maryland? Also, it would be nice if you put your state in your profile so we knew where you were from!

Debbie

Debbie (thecakemaker),

I called the Maryland Department of Health & Mental Hygiene several months ago (Phone 410-767-8440). I was told I need a license to process food (I think this is issued by the county you live in) or if I was to sell cakes "whole sale" I would need a license issued by the State. The only exception was a bake sale--don't need a license. However, I was referred to my county health department. I live in Montgomery County and I would need a separate kitchen. I also would have to take the 15 hour Food Service Sanitation class which is offered through the community college to get a food service license. I was told I could purchase a packet for $5 (haven't stopped in to buy yet) on this process "Preparing to sell Food" from the local health dept. I then asked if I could use a church kitchen but then I was told I would have to check with zoning to see if it would be allowed. But also check with your local county health department. Hope this helps.

Elaine

Great! Thanks Elaine!

Debbie

What about Michigan? I've got the opportunity to rent a space on an as needed basis. I haven't had a chance to call my county department yet but does anyone know off-hand what state laws are like for Michigan?

I just called the local health dept. here in Kansas City, MO and they said that I could not prepare food for sale to the public in my home. I told her how I was wanting to install a mini commercial kitchen in my basement complete with stainless steel tables, 3 tub sink, etc. and she said that it didn't matter, I could not prepare food within our living quarters. It looks like I would have to build another building to house my cake kitchen. That would be the only way I could prepare my cakes and cookies on my property.

Such a bummer! My dad owns a sheet metal company and he installs commercial kitchens. I could have a really great kitchen for almost nothing, but I can't build another building on my property. It's not so much about building it, but then you have to run electricity to it, heat and cool it, etc.... Oh well, maybe I could look into renting a kitchen some place.

I just wanted to share some news. I have been reading your post on renting a kitchen, and thought I would check into it as well. I was also told that I could not do cakes from my home..which was very dissapointing to hear. I called a few places and they sounded like I was crazy. Then I called the last place which is a reception center and the owner was very excited to let me rent the kitchen, and she said they need a cake decorator for her weddings/parties so we could help each other. I am very exctited about this, but very nervous. I hope things will go smoothly! Sorry so long. Keli

That's great Keli! Good luck to you! I'm sure everything will be fine.

Debbie

In Florida you also need a fire suppression hood and grease traps. VERY EXPENSIVE!