I currently work a 2nd shift job as a pastry cook. I love my job but hate the hours! I miss everything with my kids, and never see my oldest cause she is in school all day. My queastion is this, I want to bake out of my house. Cakes, cookies, pies, etc...I put something on Craigslist but am not sure what else to do from here. I would love to be able to make enough money I could quit my job and work somewhere else pt and out of my house the rest. Any suggestions of any kind would be awesome!
What about maybe getting a stand/space at a local farmer's market. Just to get your name out there and to see how the public likes your baking. Just an idea. I've thought about doing that because I make these specialty cut outs that everyone loves and the recipe is an old family recipe passed down from my great grandmother.
Like everyone else mentioned, check with the Allegheny County Health Department. I have heard they are really cracking down on people that sell food prepared in their home. There even might have been a write up in the PG around the time all the churches were holding their fish frys.
You will also want to protect yourself from being sued incase someone does ever fall ill. It is a very litigous world we live in...
I also love to cook and wanted to do something out of my home. My dad has been self employed since i was tiny. One thing he told me was there are some rules. You have to have your kitchen approved i think. (because you are serving it to others) Don't quote me (my dad is not self employed in food) but i do think he may be correct. I wish you lots of luck...it seems like it would be such a fun way to make money.
Let me know what you find, if it is pretty easy i would like to go for it also :)
I have heard the same info as a previous poster - you have to have your kitchen certified in some way. I guess you would contact the agency that inspects restaurants. When I was growing up, a friend's mom had to have this done. She also sold baked goods.
Just a few thoughts about finding business:
Contact your local paper and ask if they do announcements for new businesses.
In the spring many papers put together wedding inserts with ads, reviews, tips, etc. Find a way to get your name in there.
See if you can post info on a bulletin board at your local library, community center.
Contact local banquet halls to see if you can partner with them.
Contact your local school/PTA to see about doing a fundraiser with them or providing baked goods for events/parties.
There are upcoming fall festivals/craft sales. See where you can register for a booth to sell your goodies.
Cosignment shops sometimes are eager to help other small businesses and will allow you to put business cards, etc in their stores and/or on their websites. Snuggle Bugs is one that comes to mind. Check out their promot your business link and mom's corner link. http://www.snugglebugsconsignment.com/
Good luck to you!
,
I don;t know all the particulars, but I think any food for sale needs to be prepared in a certified kitchen. My mom had a friend who was a caterer and she worked from her local church kitchen...easier than having hers certified....just a thought. Definitely start with the Health Department.
Some helpful links:
http://www.ehow.com/how_###-###-####_start-home-baking-bu...
http://homebusiness.about.com/od/homebusinessprofiles/p/b...
If you are in Allegheny County, here is a link to the food prep rules & regs document:
http://www.achd.net/food/pubs/pdf/art03.pdf
Good luck, targeting the wedding industry may be a good place to start once you get going!
