Selling Food From Home...

[Smowball]

Morning guys. Just curious - a friend posted on FB asking who would be interested in buying her cakes/pies (she’s a keen baker).shes had tons of replies, and is already delivering and being paid for them. I mean LOADS of orders. I’m just a tad worried that’s shes meant to maybe have her kitchen inspected etc?? Am I wrong? I haven’t said anything yet btw as she’s so thrilled how well it’s going.

[NoMercy]

At the very least she should have a Food Hygiene Certificate.

[Smowball]

She’s definitely not got that. Would she get around it by saying it’s just for friends??

[Georgiesmum]

Yes, I believe if you do it as a business you have to have home checks first and get a licence.

[murraymints]

If money is changing hands she needs proper certs and kitchen inspection...

[NoMercy]

There's no law against her cooking for friends but if she lies and gets caught, she'll pay the price.

[Zacs-Master]

Some good advice here (it’s a local council website but the guidance would apply wherever)
http://www.lewes-eastbourne.gov.uk/_resources/assets/inline/full/0/208300.pdf

[Georgiesmum]

They check to see if the kitchen is well ventilated, if you have pets in the house, all sorts first.

[Smowball]

But she’s definitely getting paid for them as her FB post says what she’s charging. Think I may need to send her a message....

[Smowball]

Good info Zacs...

[dannyk13]

Smow, unless she is a good friend your advice may be resented.

[Smowball]

She’s not a good friend lol; more of an acquaintance lol

[dannyk13]

Then I would leave well alone Smow.

[Smowball]

Gob shut it is then lol

[Zacs-Master]

It’s a bit of a moral dilemma isn’t it.
Informer her and risk loosing a ‘friend’, or
Risk her getting prosecuted / poisoning people, which I wouldn’t like on my conscience.

[murraymints]

Word will get to council soon enough..usually a nosey neighbour...

[Smowball]

She’s actually charging quite a lot of money I think, so I’m quite shocked at how many orders she’s had,

[alavahalf]

There are plenty people out there who have plenty money to pay for something that is just that bit better, so dont knock the fact that people are willing to pay
'Quite a lot'.
Sounds as though she is at tipping point .. the descision will soon be out of her hands. The demand for a good product will push her to the point where her oven wont be big enough, she will have little work surface or storage and the business may well consume her home.
She will soon need to find a small premises where she will be able to develop her products and grow her business. She is doing the right thing in 'dipping her toe' before she dives in. If the demand is there, then go for it. If and when the time comes then she will need the certificates and especially the insurance. Why lose a friend by 'dobbing her in' .. you should be up to your armpits in flour and icing helping her. Sounds exciting and I hope it goes well for her.

Funnily enough only yesterday a friend was telling me that some years ago he used to deliver to a lady called Kate in Partridge Green, she made sandwiches from a tiny unit on an industrial estate.. she also made very good cakes that were sold to mainly to offices, factories etc. Her products were in such demand that the tiny unit was bursting at the seams before she made the leap of faith and had to borrow and get bigger premises.

Not to long ago Kates Cakes was sold for £23 million ..

[anneasquith]

Are you actually concerned for her smo or jealous ?

[Prudie]

If you don't do it someone else will for sure. Apart from the hygiene certificate if she's working there could be tax implications.

[Bathsheba]

Prudie has read my mind. I was just going to jump in and say what about tax?
Baths
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