Where is catering out of one's home permissible by law?

[dangyebbie]

Hi, all. I'm looking to start a catering business soon. Virginia law prohibits preparing food out of one's home, as I'm told most states do. Do you know of any states that do allow catering out of your home, even on a limited basis or under certain conditions? For instance, I know that Michigan allows it granted the catering kitchen is used exclusively for that purpose, i.e., it's separate from the private areas of the home. Thanks in advance for your help.

[castironchef]

My understanding is that all states require commercial food service to be done in a commercial kitchen. That commercial kitchen can be in a home, but it can't be the family's kitchen.

There may be some non-conforming state out there, but I haven't heard of it.

[tigerwoman]

not sure if its still true but at one time you could cater out of your home kitchen given certain guidelines in the state of Maine.

However in this day and age its highly unlikely.

[lentil]

I believe that in NH, it's only legal to do baked goods out of your home. You can use the home kitchen, but there are very strict standards. I suppose they figure the odds of killing someone with your cookies is a whole lot less than with a chicken. But then again, I've worked in some kitchens.....

[AprilB]

In-home catering. I don't know how large a venue you're looking at but if you're thinking about a home business you're looking at fairly small number of guests due to limitations in kitchen facilities...unless you have one friggin big home kitchen!

I have been exploring the 'in home' catering approach recommended to me by the Small Business Administration here promoting new business (we're just outside of Las Vegas in a small town). From what I understand you basically plan the party menu and prepare it at the client's home in their own kitchen. You have a fair amount of flexibility in that you can provide all or none of the service/flatware/dishware, etc...depending on what you agree on. The only thing you are absolutely in charge of is the menu, purchase of ingredients, preparation and clean up.

I'm still waiting for information from the NV Dept of Health to find out what the home based food business is.

Another thought is: renting a local kitchen from a club, church, community center on demand.

I don't have details yet but it's one of the avenues I'm pursuing.

April

[panini]

Unfortunately, to get a kitchen "liscensed" is usually required for attaining liability insurance. Those great insurers would like to write property along with liability. In my state, they won't write one without the other. Although rates have basically tripled over the last three yrs. it's still affordable. The properties I deliver to mostly require 2-5 mil liability so it's a little higher.
Even though I am not liable for something natural like pecan shells, If someone was to break a tooth or bridge(has happened) it's nice to say just call my agent and forget about it.

[Papa Perry]

April,

That is in line with what I am preparing to do. I will be starting my research in the next few weeks. Please let me know the outcome of your research.

The major difference in my plan is I will be catering events in the middle of the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area. If I cannot get a waiver, I will be purchasing a Catering Rig (trailer) to pull behind my RV.

Perry

[blueschef]

Kind of insteresting but when I lived in New Orleans there were people who would serve dinner to patrons in there home. they would open on Friday, Saturday and sometimes Sunday, when "the man" was not around. Some of these were great (and cheap)! Cheap beer, great food, limited menu and music. Straightforeward Home Cookin, Fried Chicken, Mack and Cheese, BBQ, Fried Fish, Red Beans, Smouthered Chicken, Rice, Gumbo, Chicken and Dumplings, etc.

[karen90]

Hmm I've kinda asked this question already before but I am still a little confused...So i live in Ct...and would I be able to one day become a caterer and prepare the food at my home and do it that way? If there is any websites or anything about that please let me know...because it would be soo awesome if it could happen. i really want to be a chef, but i really want to be able to be at home a lot if i have kids and for my husband and everything when/if i got married... thanks!

[panini]

karen90,
You need to get in touch with your local health department. They will have a number for the food division. They will give you all the information you need. The law varies in all states and sometimes jurisdiction. Most all health department will set their policies based upon Fed guidelines. So things vary depending upon how the guidelines are interpreted. There really is no one here (unless in your County) that can really tell you. Do not rely on hear say for something like this.
A little tip. You may want to keep your call to the health dept. anonymous.
In many states you may have a home kitchen if it has a seperate entrance and basically seperate from you family kitchen, and inspected.
You can also go to the health dept. and request a copy of their guidelines. Try not to listen to negetivity about the Health people. They are there for a reason. They are responsible for keeping less the 5% of food borne illness out of commercial kitchens. The're a little cautious about home kitchens because that 95% occurs in the home.

[Jolly Roger]

Dangy...
I've done some research on this when starting my personal chef buisness. I live in Ohio, so as some have mentioned, laws may be different depending on where you live. My instructor for my Servsafe class has been a health inspector for twenty-five years so I asked him what I could do in my own kitchen and what sort of licensure I needed. In Ohio, I can prepare up to twenty "entrees" a week in my unlicensed kitchen. I asked what constitutes an entree? He said it wasn't clearly defined...a loose interpretation. All I need as a personal chef is a vendor's license and a tax I.D. number to be legitamate. Another option is renting kitchen time from a church or synagouge. Many Jewish temples have totally pimped out kitchens. Just ask to see their most recent inspection results for you fork over cash. AS far as cooking in your clients personal kitchen, in Ohio, you are hired as a landscaper, chimney sweep, or pet butler would be hired. You may want to look into being bonded just for back up in case someone cracks a molar on one fo your scones. Never hurts to be too safe! Good luck!

[AprilB]

The major difference in my plan is I will be catering events in the middle of the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area. If I cannot get a waiver, I will be purchasing a Catering Rig (trailer) to pull behind my RV.

Catering trailers are really nice if you are patient enough to get the right one at a good price. Just make sure it has most of the equipment you need. Re-fitting a trailer for general catering that is already fitted for the corn dog fare can be pretty expensive. E-bay has many for offer, only one really had any potential in my opinion. Maybe I can look it up and forward the number to you. I would SO love to have it, but...<sigh> SS walls, all kinds of amenities.

It actually makes the most sense having a separate kitchen facility in instances when you have a family, kids, pets (definitely) ... you can keep it sano and lock it up. It gets health certificates and you can keep it separate from real life. Works really well if you sincerely plan to pursue this venue in earnest.

I guess it also depends on how long this particular event is and what type of fare you're serving.

Anyway, I'll look up the info and forward it to you so you can have a look.

april

[Papa Perry]

Thanks April.

Each event is just 1 day. They are like company picnics, except for customers.

What I have done this year, is show up and camp with the group. I prep as much of my food at home. I cook almost everything on my Weber BBQ's.

I set up tables and server everything buffet style. It is a real hit, I am getting people asking me to do more events each year. I sarted out just helping friends, now it is becoming a bit more.

The catering rig may be over kill for what I do, but if that is what is required, I will go that way.

PP

[Papa Perry]

Well it looks like I will try the Personal Chef route on this the 1st year or so. This is due to the amount of equipment I will have to purchase. Since this is only a weekend venture for me 6 months out of the year it does not make sense.
I already have had inquiries for dates starting in October, including a deposit for a Super Bowl party.

I will let everyone know how it goes.

[Jamieloo]

This message seems to be very old. Are people still looking for information about starting up a home based catering company?