I don't even remember if I've posted here before!
Here's the background : My mom was a pro cake decorator when I was a kid. I grew up with it, learned decorating (regular buttercream, no fondant or anything.. but things like tiers, etc.. mostly character cakes) as I was growing up. Stopped at age 12 or so, made the odd cake over the next few years for friends, and friends of friends. Fast forward to the past few years.. got back to making the odd cake for friends and stuff.. but now getting bigger and crazier.. really wishing I took more photos.
Anyway. I'm an established home based business, in a completely legal homebased business for THAT. Taxes, permits.. the whole shebang. Recently been considering adding cakes to my product/service lineup. I'm someone who gets bored easily, always needs a challenge.. so I've got a good set of complimentary services going as is.
This weekend, I did a wedding cake at cost (just ingredients) for my favorite bride... kinda a mutual favor. She took a risk on me for a cheap cake, I get photos.
Well, the cake left the flowers in the shadows. The caterer asked for my business card, mentioning that he gets lots of calls about cakes and would refer. Bride has many friends who are either engaged, about to, or see it on the horizon, is recommending me like crazy.
I'm not a licensed baker. I let the caterer know this, and that I'll be looking for a licensed kitchen to rent - he's perfectly cool with this, as that's what he does, too. I don't want to advertise that i DO this, illegally.. but I also don't want to turn away what could be good business. At the wedding, bride asked several people to take guesses on what the cake cost - they averaged $1000K! That's a pretty attractive incentive to get my act together, ya know?
So, tomorrow I'll be calling around local places to find a kitchen... but then what? Do I get lumped under their license, or is there a license required on top of the location license? Any other advice? Also, if more is needed from me.. any idea of what the costs and/or timelines of licensing for using a rented kitchen will be?
I've read through the forum quite a bit, found a lot of great info.. this is the one thing I'm stuck on. I left a voicemail for the guy I'm apparently supposed to talk to at the department of agriculture, but I doubt he'll call back today, now that it's 5.
Kinda excited, kinda freaked out. I had no idea this would happen, I was just hoping for some pretty pictures!!!
It depends on what State. If you rent a kitchen, usually, the inspectors come and inspect that kitchen for your business/license. you usually have to have your own license and possibly insurance.
Are you sure your home kitchen cannot be licensed? I know is some states it is NOT possible, but many states do license home kitchens for baked goods.
I must be missing something ~ what exactly IS your homebased business?
Sorry - Floral designer!
As for licensing.. I'm in MN. Doesn't look like it's possible without major renos and stuff - if then - , not really worth it for me at this point.
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