Wow, this has really turned into an interesting thread. Hope it doesn't get locked!
Now for my two cents...I used to work in a restaurant in South Texas, and we had mice, palmetto bugs (glorified roaches), RATS, tarantuals and other stuff, and the health dept. could have cared less. Guys spit in peoples food (saw it happen mulitple times when people would send food back), didn't wash their hands, brought their pets in, I could go on and on and on...and the place is STILL open (5 years later). The health department never "found" any of these violations and even if they did, they didn't care. I guess it all depends on where you live and probably who you know. The guy who owns the place is a very prominent business man, and to cut him off would be to slit the throat of the health dept. or at least the employee of the health dept. Power - it's an amazing thing.
Just because a place or someone is licensed, doesn't mean that they are any cleaner than a person doing it out of his or her home. I know rules are in place for a reason, but to glorify rules as the end all be all is crap.
You can't tell me that every time an employee of a restaurant goes to the restroom that they wash their hands. If you have ever worked in a restaurant, you will see violations happen every minute.
So I don't think it is fair to single out the "home baker" and say that they are wrong or "breaking the law" when so many who are licensed still "break the law". Like someone else said, there is no reason in the world someone should have to stop cake decorating just because they don't have the money or means to get licensed and have an official business.
Happy baking!!!
well said, jstritt. That's kinda the point i was trying to make with the whole pet thing.
Hey, wasn't this a thread about getting busted? lol. 
So, really. I do wonder if anyone has ever had a run in with "the law". And am I the only one lucky (or unlucky) enough to live near someone that could make my life miserable if he wanted to?...Let me just say, I make every effort to stay on his good side.
yeah, the original thread was about IF anyone had actually gotten busted. somewhere along the way it turned a little nasty. It became a battle of who's better or more righteous, the "homebaker" vs. the "proper liscenced baker" . I think there are enough threads on this site regarding that issue without having to make another one. it's almost thanksgiving, so happy baking and cooking, everyone.
yeah, this thead is about done..Like I said..it's just drawing a line in the sand..
homebaking vs. commercial baking.
6 of one and 1/2 dozen of the other and the score still remains ...
ZERO! lol
jstritt....TARANTULAS?????? 
yikes!!!!!! I hyperventilate if i see them in a cage at the pet store!
But seriously, this thread was originally about getting caught without a license...I think its a risk that everyone must decide if they want to take. I don't think that there are a huge amount of people that have been caught, but you never know.
I have a licensed business, but does that mean I'm so much cleaner than someone who bakes from home? no. The health department inspects me twice a year and I always get a good grade, but thats because much like most of you, i care about keeping my kitchen clean not about doing it only when i know the inspector is coming. Plus, we feed our children food that comes from our kitchens...wouldn't we want it to be just as clean for them as for customers?
if you want your odds of getting caught.....do what my husband did to get me to stop "worrying"....
find out how many inspectors there are for your area....i thik you'd be quite shocked at the number....I surely hope they are paying those few enough!! 
I hope it didn't seem like I was drawing a line in the sand, coming down on one side or the other. I'm a home baker. I took the ServSafe course a year ago when I was trying to get into a pastry chef program at a nearby college. For one reason after another, which I won't go into, I wasn't able to go any further. Maybe one day. Sometimes I know I'd like to own my own bakery business, but then other times I think I'd have to be crazy to turn my JOY into a business. Anyway, I am in Michigan, where you can't get licensed for a home kitchen. I envy those who live in a state where you can, and I also understand why my state doesn't want to get into that.
I decided long ago that I'm not going to get rich off my baking and decorating, but I absolutely LOVE to do it, and that's good enough for me. I jump at the chance to do a cake for someone who asks, because it gives me the chance to try something new and different. All of my "jobs" come word of mouth. Do I except payment? Whisper--yes--whisper. Am I breaking the law? I guess so. Yes I am. Do I advertise? No. Business cards, flyers, etc.? No. But, yes, I am a criminal. So sue me.
Mickig 
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I hope it didn't seem like I was drawing a line in the sand, coming down on one side or the other. I'm a home baker. I took the ServSafe course a year ago when I was trying to get into a pastry chef program at a nearby college. For one reason after another, which I won't go into, I wasn't able to go any further. Maybe one day. Sometimes I know I'd like to own my own bakery business, but then other times I think I'd have to be crazy to turn my JOY into a business. Anyway, I am in Michigan, where you can't get licensed for a home kitchen. I envy those who live in a state where you can, and I also understand why my state doesn't want to get into that.
I decided long ago that I'm not going to get rich off my baking and decorating, but I absolutely LOVE to do it, and that's good enough for me. I jump at the chance to do a cake for someone who asks, because it gives me the chance to try something new and different. All of my "jobs" come word of mouth. Do I except payment? Whisper--yes--whisper. Am I breaking the law? I guess so. Yes I am. Do I advertise? No. Business cards, flyers, etc.? No. But, yes, I am a criminal. So sue me.
Mickig
[/i]
Tee hee, your new theme song....HEAVY METAL...CRIMINAL!
YAH...throw your hands in the air..
lol
Hey...we are all in the same boat. Yeah, it burns my toast, but will I stop helping..nah...would I report anyne...nah..
Did I do it to support my familey..HECK YEAH. I was a SSAHM...single stay at home mom, after I paid my rent and such...I was left with $150 dollars to live on. I supplemented my income nicely 25 years ago by making and decorating cakes!
Would I do it now? nah...Even though my rent is killing me!
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