Hello all

I'm just in the process of setting up a custom order cake business. Intending on it being relatively small (part time for sure) for now, with the possibilty of expansion (I DO have a FT job that I'm enamored with, so do not intent to quit but might go PT).

Alright so, I am located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. From what I can find on these forums, etc, in order for me to legally sell food out of my house I need a separate kitchen, in addition to other things. This isn't really an option as I RENT my home, so am not wanting to put an extra kitchen into it. It WOULD be a consideration if I owned... but alas, I don't.

So now, I'm wondering about renting kitchens. How out there does this? How does it work? Since I'm only planning on doing it PT I don't really want a sitaution where I am paying to rent a kitchen full time. Do places rent them out a couple of days a week? How much does this cost?

Also, I live in an area with a TON of pubs, etc. Most of which aren't open during the day and I'm going to ASSUME that they're certified, etc. Do you think any of them would rent out their space to me when the bars aren't open? Does anyone do this, and again, approx how much does it cost?

Thanks!

Hello fellow Canadian!
I have a commercial kitchen, here in Abbotsford. I do not rent per hour or month, instead I do a percentage of the retail sales. This works for me

Try local churches and the pubs as you mentioned.Are you located in Mount Royal 17th avenue?.Churches usually have kitchens which are licensed so they can serve food etc..

I would love to do the same thing. I am out in Okotoks though and am hoping to find something reasonable. I am on the fence about doing it though as there are so many 'home bakers' out there advertising on kijiji and what not that they will do stuff cheaper then others I am not sure I can get the price that I need to charge to make it worthwhile.

Yeah...That's the problem but if and once you establish a good clientelle it won't matter who advertises on Kijiji.I have an excellent client base but it has taken me over 6 years...I've seen the cakes on kijiji and they aren't that great..Very amateur and not professional looking.

I agree, I think I do way better work then most that I see on there. Some are real cake places on there too. I don't know what kind of traffic ads on there generate. I only make cakes for friends and family and we all know how expensive that gets....lol. I just wish that cake instructors at a certain craft store told their students that just because you take a few classes does not mean you can just go and sell cakes. I think they should have to inform them of the legality of it because I would assume a lot of people are completely unaware it is illegal here to sell from your home without the separate kitchen and licensing/insurance.

I would go ahead and do a kitchen, but where we live now it is not an option. Hopefully in a couple years we will be building a new house and I can do it then, and the kids will be in school too, so that will help.

Hi guys!

Thanks for the info! No I'm not in Mt Royal/17th, but I am in Kensington, so options abound. I think I'm just going to try contacting the pubs/churches in the area and see what they say.

Thanks for the advice!

Kensington is a very hip area...Crave Cupcakes is there also so you would have them to contend with..I hope you do well.

Thanks Kiddiekakes! It isn't my intention to try to compete with Crave, I am hoping to more specialize in fancier fondant cakes, etc. The search for a kitchen continues!

See Catering Calgary AB. The kitchen has been designed for this purpose

Something to keep in mind is you have to have a business liscence with the city of Calgary.
If you have your own kitchen the liscence cost $140/year if you rent a kitchen $650/year.
Just another thing to consiter

LOVE Kensington! We used to hang around there alot. (I miss the wine market...lol) I don't have any advice to offer but wanted to wish you all the best!

I have an approved commercial kitchen in Crossfield. Very spacious and very reasonably priced. Call Angela 403-973-5444

I have a commercial kitchen very spacious and reasonably priced in Crossfield. I have two renters from Okotoks already.

Good morning

I would like to inquire whether your space is still available based on a percentage payment? What is the percentage you would like? Please phone 403 8362159. Thank you

Good afternoon, what is the percentage you require? Please phone 403  8362159. Thank you.