Catering without the permits

I think I should redefine what I mean when I say I agree with this happening. What I know happens around every state is people will always cook food items and sell to others. What I agree with is a situation like " Were having a graduation party and you know a person that makes the best Lasagna around". I don't agree with someone opening up shop and competing with local B&M business that offer catering and follow the rules. There is a reason why we have the laws we have. If a person wants to cut corners and open an unlicensed food service in their home kitchen it's because of costs. If people are looking for a catered affair coming out an unlicensed kitchen they are asking for trouble. The main problem is not having the proper holding equipment to handle a large function. The OP showed a person in California making one item that looks to be her signature dish. While I don't agree with this particular dish "Ceviche" being the best choice to offer for sale in a unlicensed kitchen. Ceviche isn't cooked in the normal way of cooking. The seafood cocktail could be a bad choice for many reasons. I think we will always have people in our towns that offer homemade pies and cakes, Tamales and other food items that may not be any cheaper but just more authentic  and better than they can buy in stories. I agree totally with foodpump about his garage catering story. There is no way a legally establishment should have to compete with this kind of illegal operation. I also think this rogue type cooking happens a lot with BBQ/smoked meats. Someone could pull the smoker around town and smoke the meats at the home or function. The problem I have seen over the years with these people is not holding the food properly in refrigeration or hot holding......