Approaching Churches And/or Other Kitchens...
Business By jewelykaye Updated 25 Feb 2007 , 5:48am by Richiescakes
This might sound a little silly however, I have found some churches that I want to approach about possibly renting their kitchens so that I may be legal but I'm at a stand still with how to actually ask? I don't know why I'm so stumped? 
It might be more fear of rejection. 
Please humor me and give me some ideas of how to word my need of use of their kitchen.
Thanks! 
Hi, My name is ( insert name here) and I was wondering if there was anyway to rent your kitchen and if you charge an hourly rate or can we work out a trade?
Say:
Hello, my name is .... I am interested in renting your kitchen by the hour if you rent it. I also will need to know if your kitchen is licensed for producing food for the public. This is generally a license from the State. Get a copy of it and contact the license dept to verify what can be cooked,processed, and baked out of that kitchen. Make your agreement based on if the kitchen passes on inspections, licenses, etc.background check.
jewelykaye~ Thanks for posting this question! I too am in the same boat and because of fear of rejection I haven't done anything and have considered just doing it under the radar out of my home. I want to be legal though as I know that someday I would like to open a place. So I definitely want to do things the right way. Please let me know how it goes for you!!
Michelle
Yup, pretty much like everyone else said. One thing to keep in mind though (I know because I used to rent a church kitchen): they sometimes worry about liability (assure them you have your own insurance) and most, if not all, are non-profit. They can't charge "rent". So what I worked out with mine was an hourly "donation" to the church...
what type of insurance are you talking about I am using a church kitchen
I'd call your local health department. They should have a list of spaces that have rented out to others in the past. I think you'd have a better chance of getting into a kitchen that has previously been rented.
Make sure it is a licensed kitchen and not just a warming kitchen. Our local parks dept has 3 facilities with fabulous kitchens, but they are warming kitchens (even tho' they have everything a commercial kitchen would have!) and not health dept approved.
so do you have to take your own equipment in every time you have an order? i'd also love to know more aobut how this church thing worksudf
i still wish i had enough money to open up a commercial rental kitchen. maybe that's where the money is
This is interesting, I'd also like to know how to go about renting a church kitchen, or the "donation" option.
I'm so glad you posted this! I have been thinking about asking my pastor about using our church kitchen. I know they used to let another women use it for baking bread, so I know they have done it. I was curious about the amount to pay them. What have others charged?
First of all I want to thank everyone for their sweet responses. I really appreciate hearing the advice as well as the words from people that are in my same boat, which by the way I thought I was the only one. I don't know why.
Anywho... I spoke with the Director of our kitchen at the church that I attend. He was really nice. He did say that they no longer "rent" out the kitchen due to time. As they have to have a staff member with you while you are in the kitchen. He did however tell me the deal he used to have with people was on the weeks that they used the kitchen they would work/ volunteer in the kitchen for him one day. I thought that was useful information.
I would still love to hear any extra information anyone may have!
THANK YOU!
Again, finding kitchen space is VERY difficult. Instead of cold-calling churches, start with the health department. They can point you toward others who have rented out in the past and are more likely to help you (provided they haven't had bad experiences). Most of the names I got were actually senior centers.
Also, in my area, there is a program at the university which helps develop food related business - and they rent out their kitchen for $11/hr. I found out about this by going to a wedding show and asking the decorators where they bake from. You might check your local universities for similar programs (I know Idaho isn't the only one).
Good luck!
There is a posting here on "commercial kitchens check them out". Take a look at the posting, it has different states/locations in the posting.
As far as the church director and what he said, liability insurance for the church may request the presence of a staff member. If it is the need for food handling certification, and you have a certificate yourself the church may be able to work around the need for a staff member present if they can show the insurance company your certificate and copy of your own insurance.
Great topic, everyone! I have used church space a lot, but not for baking, and the "things to ask" are so important!
I've found that you just need to be your own sweet self and be very laid back when calling to make inquiries. There are a lot of things that a church will allow when they like you, like making a donation to the "Pastor's Discretionary Fund" in lieu of "renting" the space.
Just saying something like "I just love baking cakes for people, but I've outgrown my home kitchen and was wondering if you allow people to bake in your kitchen?" Sounds like someone I'd like to do business with. Saying outright "I have a cake business and need to rent a kitchen- are you licensed?" sounds more forward and less likeable.
I've developed a wonderful relationship with a neighborhood church, where I don't even attend. They overlook a few technicalities (I'm not a "non-profit" and I don't have insurance) because they like working with me. It's so important!
Good Luck!
Laurie
Here's what I've found from my experience. The health department here is absolutely NO help! They don't care to give you prior places where others hav rented, they don't really want to do anything with you unless it's you giving them money for something or other. Which is fine, you just have to go the other route: flip to "Churches" in the Yellow Pages and start calling!
I was lucky enough that they were the first place I called. Since they weren't really a "licensed" kitchen, I had to go through the whole plan approval process: three bay sink, do they have this, do they have that. Had to submit a diagram, pay ~$90 and to a plan approval inspection. After that, I paid my license fee and was set.
This church didn't care if I had liability insurance or not. As mentioned, I paid $10/hour as a "donation." I told them when I'd like to come in, and they just let me in.
That situation isn't working now (for some very weird reasons) but it's all good. This is a long shot but see if there's a business near you that literally just has a commercial kitchen to rent to people like us. That's what I'm doing now; it's a wedding venue with a 1500 sq. ft. kitchen. SO nice!
They charge $10/hour, when you use it, and you can rent storage space as well for like a couple dollars a month. They have an online calendar and you just log on and block off your times.
I've found that knowing the things that'll make them say no to you before hand helps because you can offer all the info up front. HTH!
Great topic! It is HARD trying to find a kitchen and this is great getting tips. I'm fortunate to live in the Illinois area and there is a commercial kitchen in Chicago (a little far from me) but I have to do what I have to do 
.. it's kitchenchicago. The lady is very nice..but I'm still looking for something closer...So thanks for posting this -- there's still hope!
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