I'm in Oklahoma and and I know it's illegal to run a cake biz out of my home without a license. We have very strict regulations here. Basically I will never be able to meet their standards cuz I live in a townhome & can't 'construct' my kitchen to their preference and I don't plan to move anytime soon. I have an opportunity tho thru a marriage and wedding chapel svc (thru a 'friend of a friend of a friend' sorta deal) and I am to meet with them about adding my services as a cake decorator to their existing packages for those about to get married. I have only done cakes for friends, family and a few co-workers and keep a low profile cuz I'm not legal. I have read somewhere it seems ( if I remember right) that if I had an arrangement thru a 'daycare' or 'church' or someplace like this that already have to meet health code standards and that have a kitchen, that I wouldn't have to be licensed if I used those facilities..is this right? I thought I would ask them if they'd allow this since I will have to confess that I don't have a license obviously. I'm afraid I'll blow it when they learn this as well. I'm freaking out a little. This is a chance of a lifetime for me and it's always what I wanted..nothing too big or too small. Just right. I would love to be able to do this legit and be able to venture out and make some money while making a name for myself and offering cakes as a 'professional service'. Please give me some advice..I'm desperate and cluless right now 
Not all churches have licensed kitchens, so you'll need to call around (bigger churches would be the best bet) and ask if their kitchen is licensed and if they would consider renting it out by the hour.
You can also check with small restaurants or bakeries. 'Mom and Pop" type places are more likely to enter into this kind of arrangement with you since they can make their own rules. They also might be willing to consider a barter arrangment, where you would make them cookies or muffins or something like that to sell in their restaurant, and in return they let you use the kitchen for your business. Also, consider putting an ad on craigslist in the 'wanted' area. That's how I found 2 kitchens that I am currently associated with.
If you find a licensed kitchen to use, you will be able to get your OWN license, and the license will be for that location only. In Texas you are not allowed to do any food prep, including fondant bows, gumpaste flowers, decorating the cake, etc, in your home kitchen.
It would be risky to get into making cakes for the public without having a license, so I would be up front with your wedding chapel. It sounds like a wonderful opportunity, and there ARE kitchens out there, you just have to be creative to find them. Good luck! 
I trade out services for use of a small independent restaurant's kitchen. They ahve the catering license and food manufacturing license so I didn't have to apply and put out money on those.
I bake things for their market and use the kitchen in the evenings for my baking. Customers pick up the cakes at the market...I invoice the market for what I expect to get. If they want to mark it up, that's their choice. If I get a wedding cake order, I will give the market 10% of the bride's cost of the wedding cake (unless, of course, the restaurant is catering the event, then I keep it all).
Hope that helps--pam
OK..So this is so far VERY helpful. I am excited at this point to think this may be a possibility. I like the craigs list idea and wouldn't be opposed to walking into a locally owned restraunt if I thought I could make this of interest to them. Here's my next question tho..What is a fair and just amount to offer for renting thier kitchen>? Like how would I approach the subject and get them to 'bite'? Would I say that I'm new to this and anticipate needing to fulfill several wedding cake orders over the next few months(since busy months comming up for weddings) and would like to offer my baking services in exchange for using their kitchen anywhere from one night a month to 2 nights a week ( since I won't really have any idea at this time what's expected of me or what I'm capable of) then to offer ...this is drawing a blank.. 2-3 cakes for their own kitchen for ea nite I'm there or 25.00 ea night..more...less?? I don't know what the going rate is supposed to be for this sort of thing (OMG I need so much help don't I)...So, anyway..if you were new to this idea, and didn't have any connections and not even sure how often you'd need their kitchen to start out with...how would you do it or say it and most importantly, how would you suggest to pay for it.
I'm wondering.... you'd have to be able to use some of their cooler and storage space, right?
I work at a little "mom & pop" restaurant and we have been talking about this kind of arrangement but I'm just not sure how it would work. I don't know that they would have to space for my cake stuff.
I'm interested in hearing what the going rate for renting a kitchen is as well. I did know that if you were renting a licensed kitchen, you just had to apply for a business license and have the kitchen you are renting listed on it.
Your opportunity sounds very exciting, so keep us posted on what you find out.
Go look at this entry....it has listing of contacts for kitchen rentals .
Looking for commercial kitchens, check out these places...
Goto page 1, 2 Next
Well I never did find the the 'rental kitchens postiing' mentioned previously..only a 'states that license home bakeries'. However I did post an ad today on Craigs List and we'll see what happens!
I wish you were in my area, I am looking for people like you! I'm interested in how you fare out. Post back when you find a location!
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