Hi ladies!! I just found this site the other day so sorry if this is a repeat. I am throwing around the idea of starting my own home-based cake business in VA. If I do it I would like to be licensed and be an actual business so as not to run into any problems and be able to advertise and participate in whatever I want to without having to worry. Soooo, I got my info today from the state's Dept of Agriculture and I am a little surprised just because it seemed a little too easy. You can use your own kitchen, you can have pets. I do have a couple questions that I was wondering if anyone knew. Regarding the pets...are they expecting them never to be in the kitchen or just while I am preparing food I will be selling? How do you store the cakes before you deliver them? I am worried especially because I do have a cat and dog that they will worry the animals will get to them. Is using the dishwasher considered good enough at sanitizing things and for items too big for the dishwasher will it be a problem because my kitchen sink is only one sink and not divided? One thing that does help me is my hubby many, many years ago was a restaraunt manager so knows somewhat what to expect. He says the way I clean (I am kind of a freak) that I will be fine. Sorry if these things have been gone over repeatedly I just don't want to put a lot of effort into this and then find out I have some thing that will disqualify me that I can't change, ie..getting rid of my dog!!

Thanks, Kristin

This is what I found:

http://forum.cakecentral.com/cake-decorating-ftopict-20789-.html

http://forum.cakecentral.com/cake-decorating-ftopict-7436-.html

http://forum.cakecentral.com/cake-decorating-ftopict-7377-.html

HTH

I've been pondering the idea too, just wondered if anyone did it what all do that look at when they come in? Do they go through cupboards and stuff or what? Thanks

I'm in VA, too and in the process of trying to get licensed. I read that if you just put a basin in your sink, that is good enough to be considered divided.

I would love to know about the pets, too. Good luck!

Thanks, those links did help some and gave me some little tips. I have a call into the Dept. of Agri. to get some clarification on a few things. Also one lady put in the links above that you have to use box cakes in VA. That really seems strange. I haven't seen that anywhere else and have it on my list to ask. Has anyone else heard that?? I will let you know what info I get in case anyone else needs it.

Kristin

So here is the info I got when I called the Dept. of Agri.

Pets-They only have to stay out of the preparation area while you are preparing the product. They just want you to clean really well before you start to make sure there is no animal hair on the counters and such. Also when the inspector is there to keep the animals somewhere, I guess one lady's cat was rolling around on the counter while the inspector was there.

Boxed cakes-I saw in one of the links that a lady said in the state of VA you have to use boxed cakes, thought that seemed a little strange and it is not true, from scratch is fine.

Sealed food-Even your personal food should be sealed in cupboards, for example we just kind of roll up the top of our chip bags, well it needs to be sealed up more.

Recipes-She said when typing up the recipes be very thorough, ie. self-rising flour instead of just flour. The same with your process.

Kitchen set-up-Does not have to be some fancy thing, can just be a sketch, some people also send in pictures.

Business license-This I still have some questions about. It seems they (DOA) only say you are allowed to sell food but I think there is a separate business license to get. She didn't really know much about it but said she thinks it goes by counties and that some require it and some don't. But I am thinking if you want to advertise with a name you need one. It seems as if the Secretary of State of VA is the place to go. I guess they will be my next people to call.

Kristin

Welcome to CC Squarepair.

As a 'licensed' home kitchen in VA, I have been through a couple of inspections. First I put licensed in quotes because my county does not require and will not issue a business liscense for a home bakery. So, while I'm approved for business by the D of A, I don't technically have a license. They'll issue one for a store of course.

Some things about inspection:
The divided sink - I have a divided one, but my inspector said that I needed to have an additonal basin/tub thingie for sanitization. One to wash, one to rinse, one to sanitize. The dishwasher is fine to use as along as it has a really hot sanitize step in the cycle.
Recipes - like you said, be thorough. Not sure if they still require it, but I had to make up ingredient labels for each product as well (that was tedious). Personally I think it stinks that you have to give them all of your recipes, but that's just my opinion.
Inspection - Cleanliness is great, but they are looking for proper food handling practices. Make sure that you have a thermometer in your refrigerator, and an instant-read thermometer in the workspace to check food items if needed. Business use items should be separate from household items (designate shelves in the refrigerator and pantry). Make sure nothing is on the floor, food items (even large bins) must be elevated from the floor. All light fixtures must be covered, no bare bulbs. Some inspectors check the bathroom, be sure to have paper towels available there, not hand towels. Depending on your water source, the water may be tested (I'm on a well, so mine gets tested). I have also had one inspector take a sample of my product, bag and tag it in my presence and send it off for testing to make sure there is nothing in it (hair, glass, chips from any utensils I use, etc.).
My inspections have been pretty simple, and the inspectors are not there to criticize or catch you doing something wrong. They are helpful and just want to make sure you handle food properly. Thankfully, the rules in VA are fairly simple, so the inspection is not much to worry over. Hope I was able to help some.

Thanks, every little bit helps in making me feel more confident. I was wondering since your county doesn't issue a business license are you still able to have a name for your business?? I am in Loudoun county and still need to give them a call to see what the laws are. Thanks again, Kristin

I did go to the County courthouse and register my business name, that only cost me $10. Speaking of money, the D of A charges $40 per year as your inspection fee or whatever they want to call it. I've only been inspected twice, and I think I started it 4 or 5 years ago. I guess I'm due for one, but they haven't called me so I'm not worrying about it for now.